This week’s devotions are based on “The Key” Week 4: “Share Grace!” (WATCH HERE)
People can get mad at God. They can question God. They can blame God. When life presents a challenge that is unexpected or doesn’t seem fair, the human soul can turn against God and blame him for the problems and hardship they are experiencing. At times, the conclusion is that God is just an angry, vengeful, mean god.
Human examples limp, but a child at times can feel the same way about their parents. A child doesn’t like discipline. They don’t like to be told what to do. They want to figure it out on their own. A child pushes against boundaries and if something bad happens easily blames mom and/or dad for being the evil person they are.
Any loving parent knows this charge is baseless, but it still comes.
Why? Because a child doesn’t always understand the heart of a parent and a child of God doesn’t always understand the heart of God.
Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday and continued our journey through teaching given to Timothy in 1 Timothy. Both Acts 2 (Pentecost) and 1 Timothy 2 give us insight into God’s heart and what is behind everything he does for us.
Acts 2:17-21 “ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
The reason God poured out the Holy Spirit on the disciples was so they could prophesy and teach with clarity the heart of God: Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. God’s ultimate desire is that ALL know, believe, and trust in him as their Savior. Paul writes this to Timothy to put it at the center of all he did.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
God’s heart is to have ALL people, including you with him in heaven. He sent his Son to accomplish what we never could and sent his Spirit to bring clarity of mind and strength of faith to our hearts. His ultimate desire for you is to spend an eternity with you!
So what about the challenges and hardships that come and we are tempted to blame God, abandon God or label God as an evil God? Start to filter them through the heart of God. How can God use this to draw me closer to him and strengthen my faith in him? I know God doesn’t want this to drive me away from him, but closer to him. So in times of trouble, like a child who runs to a parent when life gets hard, because they know their parent will give love, safety and security, so we can run to our God who loves us so much and desires only one thing: For us to spend eternity with him!
Apply: What situation in life are you struggling with today? How does knowing God’s heart is for your eternal salvation help you to run closer to God rather than away from him in this challenge?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for revealing your heart to me. As I find safety in your grace, lead me in all circumstances to remember your heart that loves me and has given your grace to me. AMEN.