Do You Question God’s Goodness?
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.”
Jer. 17:7
After transferring to the Inland Northwest, we settled on a five-acre parcel located next to the beautiful Spokane River. Much of our acreage is flat and was previously used as a horse pasture. In order to help reduce our property assessment, Louise and I decided to try our hands at farming.
We purchased eight Barbados Black Belly sheep that have now grown to adult size. These sheep are exceptionally wary and are prized for their heavy coats and tremendous horns. We’d like to eventually sell them to an exotic game farm where some hunter will harvest the animal for its meat and trophy horns.
I have learned a lot about life—and God—from the upkeep of these critters. I plant seed and irrigate the land, so there is an ample food supply. We installed deep troughs that hold enormous amounts of water. We feed the animals vitamins and antibiotics and enough enzymes to make even a rock grow.
You would think, in view of all the energy expended on their behalf, that these sheep would be grateful. Not so. Every time I come to the fence line they take off and run to the other side of the pasture. The only emotion they show me is “fear”. Even though I feed them twice a day, they respond to each visit as if I’m from outer space. I cannot convince them of my true care and concern.
To these sheep, I am their deity. I’m too big for them, my actions too incomprehensible, and my boundaries too restricting. They have no courage to trust me. They see my acts of kindness as cruelty. They see my attempts to doctor their wounds as painful and destructive. They see my attempts to keep them safe and warm (building shelters and fences) as obstacles and barriers. Perhaps to give them understanding, I would have to become a sheep—a “studly” ram!
As ridiculous as that sounds, for a man to become a sheep is nothing compared to the Omnipotent God becoming a helpless baby. In some mystical way, the God of all creation humbled himself to become a man so that He could better relate to His creation—so that we could know our true need of His salvation. He so loved mankind that despite His power, His presence, His sufficiency, and His divine transcendence, God took on the form a lowly human being.
Christ came to earth to proclaim God’s desire to have intimate fellowship with His creation. It took Christ’s death on the cross to provide the sacrifice necessary for us to enjoy direct access to God. He came that we might know Him!
Let us enjoy and appreciate the wonderful gift that God gave us through His Son Jesus Christ. He really is alive…and we can trust Him!
The Power of Truth:
- “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
- “If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:7 (NRSV)
- “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures for ever.” Psalm 136:1
Suggestion for Prayer:
If you are like my sheep, afraid to approach your Master, skeptical of His goodness, unaware of His love…have courage! Trust Him now. Ask Him to open your eyes, to give you understanding, that you would know Him.