A Good Good Father

Prior to my preparation to writing this, my first blog, I had some of the most difficult few days I’ve had in quite a long time. I’ve found it to be quite typical in my life – whenever God is looking to do something big in my life, best believe satan is very nearby looking to interrupt, to discourage, to try to destroy God’s marvellous works.

But funnily enough, as God delivered me out of those difficult days and gave me the strength to write, not only did I find myself once again humbled and grateful for God’s mercy and faithfulness, but I found I had my first subject to write on.

See, the Christian walk is not an easy one; Jesus paints this picture for us in Luke 21.

“But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake.”

Luke 21:12 ESV

And…

“You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death.  You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.”

Luke 21:16-17 ESV

Doesn’t exactly paint a pretty picture, does it? See, when you became saved, you took a pretty bad situation (that is, being dead spiritually) and turned it around the only way possible – by having faith in Jesus Christ for your salvation. But in doing that, there is a side effect. Suddenly, some of the things you used to do that were okay? No longer okay! All your friends who aren’t saved? Well, it’s a bit awkward to be around them now. In fact, I liken it to swimming against the tide – the whole world is going in one direction, yet here you are, trying to act in the righteousness God has given you, swimming up the river. Thank God for His strength! For without Him we can achieve nothing.

Not just this, but sometimes we also mess up and sin – i.e. we put something – anything – before God. As Christians this causes us even more discomfort than those who aren’t saved, as we know the feeling of God’s joy and peace, and to lose that can be pretty difficult, especially if you maybe don’t know why, you just don’t feel so good.

So not only do we not take any real pleasure, joy, or satisfaction in the ways of the world anymore (not that we ever really did anyway), but now if we do, it’ll cause us even more pain and discomfort!

So what’s the good news in all this?

God is faithful! Like a good father – except many infinite times over because He is the omnipotent, righteous, holy, alpha and omega – He cares for His children (that’s you!) and will never leave nor forsake them –

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV

And after painting that grim picture we saw earlier Jesus encourages us;

“But not a hair of your head will perish.”

Luke 21:18 ESV

What! So you’re telling me I won’t go bald?!

…not quite. Jesus is saying here that the salvation that He purchases for us later on in Luke isn’t going anywhere! Great news right…but why not? How does He do this? The answer is in the next verse –

“By your endurance you will gain your lives.”

Luke 21:19 ESV

Great right! So all we need to do is just keep going, keep pressing on! Can’t be too hard, right?

Except we all know that we don’t have the strength in us to persevere if we’re honest with ourselves. After all, if we did, we would never turn to sin again…we’d be perfect! So if we can’t endure then we’re stuffed right? Well…

“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.”

Philippians 1:6 ESV

Friends, Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Be encouraged! Things may be going great for you right now, or things may be going pretty bad. But God started something in you, a good work, and unlike those of us with ADHD, you better believe He will bring it to completion!

As John would say…oh, little children. Christ died for you on the cross! He shed His blood for you! Flesh torn from flesh, beaten, mocked, cursed, for you, dear Christian! This temporary pain, this mess you may have even gotten yourself into through your own sin, will not separate you from His love, neither does it negate His promise to never leave nor forsake you, just as He promised Israel.

So today and this week, contemplate, meditate on these promises. Remind yourself what God says about you. His love for you, how He never has nor will leave or forsake you even when it feels like He has. Be strengthened by God’s word! I pray you have a blessed week, and walk in every promise God has for you as a Christian.