Goes With Us

We go through some experiences that feel better when someone close goes with us. It may be a doctor’s appointment that we feel some anxiety about. It may be some thrilling adventure that we want to share with a loved one. We may want someone to go with us when we are trying to resolve some conflict. How great would it be to have “goodness” go with us, so that we know that whatever occurs, something about the experience will be good.

In Exodus 33:19, God tells Moses, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name, ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to who I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” When we receive mercy and grace, it is because God has chosen to give us mercy and grace. He continually reveals His character to us and makes His goodness go with us.

Good Work

A problem with unfinished work is that you don’t get to experience the full joy of the completed task. For instance, suppose you bought a bicycle for your child for Christmas. However, the bicycle comes unassembled. On Christmas Eve, you begin to put the bicycle together but can’t finish the task before falling asleep. When your child comes into the room and sees the bike, they are filled with joy and thanksgiving. But when they realize that they can’t ride the bicycle yet, the joy is diminished.

Philippians 1:6 says, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” God accepts us just as we are. But He loves us so much that He wants us to become more like Him. We should not be satisfied with who we are right now, but we should earnestly desire God’s work in us to form us into His likeness.

A Battle That Cannot Be Won

We may often be told to choose our battles wisely. Generally, this means that we should choose to fight when it is really important, but other issues may not be worth the fight and fighting would distract us from our real purpose. Since the beginning of the world, darkness has come against light. Darkness loses, because when light is revealed darkness must flee. Jesus brought His light into the world and it continues to spread in the form of truth, righteousness, and abundant living.

John 1:4-5, speaking about Jesus, says, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” God is the creator and sustainer of life. He gives eternal life to His children. He is also the light, giving us truth and showing us the way to have true abundant life. Darkness tries to overcome God’s light but can never do so.

That I May Behold

Sometimes, when I am hiking a nature trail, I pass from a darkened area into a lighted area. In the area of light, I am suddenly able to see things that I couldn’t in the dark. Colors become vibrant and I notice details of the scenery that I hadn’t previously seen and I am amazed at the beauty now shown to me. Truth can operate in the same way. At times, we may not be able to see and understand the truth, unless our sight is brightened along the path of life.

Psalm 119:18 says, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things our of your law.” Even when reading God’s Word, we need Him to open our hearts in order for us to understand truth. Our minds remain blinded in the darkness until God’s light unveils the truth.

Costly Redemption

Before asking Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Savior, I was lost. By lost, I don’t mean that I was making a terrible mess of my life, I mean that I did not know where I should be going. Sure, I had my struggles, but the not knowing where to go was much harder for me. I didn’t have trusted counselors to seek guidance from. My parents were mostly absent. So I just made choices that seemed right to me. However, my choices were mostly short-sighted and very self-centered.

Then, I heard about what Jesus did for me. He sacrificed His own life, suffering greatly. His sacrifice paid for my redemption. I was selfish, lost, and in darkness. Jesus paid the full price to redeem me unto Himself. My redemption includes His forgiveness for my waywardness (sins), removing me from darkness and taking me into His glorious light, defeating death to give me life, and freeing me from my slavery to selfishness.

In Isaiah 54:8 God speaks to His people and says, “but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord, your Redeemer.” God always has sympathetic pity and concern for our sufferings and troubles. He knows our sufferings and has deep concern for us we go through them. His everlasting love never fails us and He brings us through our suffering, giving us the strength we need with joy.