July 10

“If those who profess to know and trust Him dread His will, we cannot wonder that the world looks on the will of God as something to be feared and resisted more than anything else, and we need not question why they are driven away from Him.”  Hannah Whitall Smith, God is Enough, 7/10

Our view of God is all-important.  If we see God as a tyrant we will resist Him.  So why don’t we view God as the benevolent God that He is?  I’m sure it’s because the spoiled child in each of us wants her or his own way.  We never really grow up it seems.  Outwardly, we’ve learned how to behave in our society so that we can get along for the most part.  We mind our manners so that we won’t be ostracized or in some way make things worse for ourselves.  This is something to keep in mind as we raise our children.  Are we teaching them how to fit into society, or are we helping them mature?  This is what God does for us.  He allows things into our lives that will help grow us up--to mature us.  To the extent that we cooperate will we be become who God created us to be. 

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”  Matthew 7:11