I recently spent a few wonderful days with my son and grandchildren. One evening while playing, my toddler graciously expressed, “I love you, Grandpa!” My son lives nearly 14 hours away and the time we were spending together was precious. As such, I was curious about what made this beautiful 3-year-old tick. So I asked him why he loved grandpa. He answered, “Because you play with me.” I ventured to ask if there was any other reason, he said, “No grandpa. That’s all.” My son’s toddler’s response made me so very warm inside. However, it also caused me to ponder about the way I feel towards God. Do I love and trust the Lord “just because” of what God does for me? How about when the blessings aren’t immediately present?
In the book of Job, he had to answer these questions when several challenges claimed his off spring and ravished his vast holding. His wife said to him: “Curse God and die!” But instead, Job asked, “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” There is no doubt Job struggled after his many loses as he became angry with his friends and even vocally questioned God. Yet, he somehow remained committed, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him”.
Job’s love for our heavenly Lord didn’t depend on a solution to his troubles. Instead, Job loved and trusted God because of all the Lord is. Our love for God should not be based solely on the Lord’s blessings but because of who God is.
Please share how you know God loves you “just because”. Your gracious share could touch another. Plus, I will write you back.
See you next Sunday,
MJ