Most Christians don’t think that God is out to harm them; however, many seem to believe that God is out to harm others, especially people who are disobedient. People think if you don’t do the thing the way God wants it; He’s going to cause destruction over your life. People won’t confess these things exactly this way, but they can come across with a doctrine of this type.
There’s a popular saying, “God is good, all the time. All the time God is good.” I love this saying and I get everyone to confess it at the opening of my meetings. This is something very important that people need to understand. Sometimes I even explain to them that just because they may be going through difficult circumstances or hard times, God is still good. He doesn’t change with the circumstances.
Many Christians seem to think that because they are going through a difficult time or things don’t seem to be going their way, they must be walking in disobedience. Although the Bible never mentions this, I’m not sure where people seem to get it wrong. Sometimes we are just going through a hard time because of a bad choice we made or others made. It could be because sometimes bad things happen to good people. God isn’t waiting with a hard stick to hit you with. He’s not going to put sickness on you. He wants to bless you and make you well.
Jesus said,
I’ve told you this so that my peace will be with you. In the world you’ll have trouble. But cheer up! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (GW)
Jesus didn’t say that we wouldn’t have trouble. He didn’t mention that trouble would come to us due to disobedience, rather even though we will have it, Jesus has overcome it. He’s overcome the world system. He’s greater than whatever it is that we may be facing. In other words, God is always good. Since He has overcome it, we have overcome it. It truly is that simple.
Even in the Old Testament God was a good God. He always was and always will be good. He doesn’t ever change. Look at what Jeremiah says:
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
There are some very important things in this well-known verse.
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God thinks about you!
Don’t you find this amazing? God isn’t too busy that He won’t think about you. He’s not forgetful. You are on His mind! That’s right. The God who made the universe has you on His mind. I believe this is constant, He’s always thinking in us. Just ponder that for a minute.
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His thoughts are good toward you!
Not only is He thinking about you, He’s thinking good thoughts. He says he’s not thinking evil of you or wanting to harm you. God wants you to have His best. That’s why He gave His Son Jesus Christ for you.
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He will give you a future and a hope.
God wants you to look toward your future with great hope. Some people are too afraid of what the future might bring that they don’t have hope for tomorrow. Listen to me. This is not how God wants you to live. This isn’t His best. He wants you to see the bright future He has for you. Just like any loving father would want to see their children succeed, He wants you to succeed.
The one thing I find most amazing about this verse is that it was declared at a time when Israel was in complete disobedience. The whole book of Jeremiah prophesies about how the nation will be sent to Babylon as slaves, because of their disobedience. God was saying that this wasn’t to harm them, but that He had a better future for them.
God has a great future for you. Get rid of the thoughts that He’s going to punish you for every slight act of disobedience. He’s not like that. Read the Bible. Learn who God is. Trust me, you will find that He is a good God all the time. He has your best interest at heart. Honour Him and see that He will honour you.
Thank Jesus today for how good He’s been to you. Even in your darkest moments, He was with you. Even if you didn’t see Him, He was there.
