Many of us are going through very difficult times right now. We're struggling financially, or we're grieving over the loss of a loved one or a relationship. You pray and pray and nothing happens. It's at these times that you think that either God doesn't hear you or He has abandoned you. I've been there but what I've discovered is that God has left us reminders that He is good and that He loves you. Here are four of those reminders.
Four Reminders That God Is Good And He Loves You
Reminder #1 Creation
The creation itself should remind us of how all powerful God is. It is also evidence that He does exist. The very fact that he created it and then allowed us to be masters over it should remind us that there is somebody out there who is bigger than we are.
When Ruth and I visited Hawaii several years ago the folk’s house we were staying at had a view out or their kitchen window from which you could see the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. It was awe inspiring.
I had an opportunity to drive from a little town in Arizona named Payson which is in the mountains, to Las Vegas and we drove through some canyons the view of which would cause your jaw to drop.
Looking up at some cloud formations will give you that same feeling. Now I understand what the writer of Psalm 19 meant.
Psalm 19:1-6 (ESV)1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
God has made Himself obvious through His creation.
Romans 1:20 (ESV)20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Here are some things, about the creation that should remind us of how big God is and that He loves us:
Reminder #2: The People We Meet
God uses what we may consider chance meetings or encounters to benefit us later. We have never met anybody by accident. The Bible says that the steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord.
Psalm 37:23-24 (ESV)23 The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way;24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.
Think about some relationships that you had when you were in school. Not those where you stayed in close contact but people that you haven’t seen for years or haven’t seen ever again that made an impact either from something they said, an introduction to someone else or an example you follow today.
The way I plan my workday and workweek are the result of something that my supervisor at Bank of America over 40 years ago suggested. My love for studying the scripture is because I met a group of guys in San Jose over 30 years ago. I don’t even remember their names, but I remember our studies together.
When you doubt whether God cares about you and loves you think about the people that he has placed in your life over the years. If I just sit and think back at some of the difficult and stressful times I’ll remember somebody doing something, sometimes, seemingly out of the blue that helped get me through. That wasn’t just a coincidence. I bet you can remember some of those things too.
Just think about the impression that Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Aben-Nego made on King Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel 2:46-47 (ESV)46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him.47 The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.”
Daniel 3:28-29 (ESV)28 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.29 Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.”
Four Reminders That God Is Good And He Loves You
Reminder #1 Creation
The creation itself should remind us of how all powerful God is. It is also evidence that He does exist. The very fact that he created it and then allowed us to be masters over it should remind us that there is somebody out there who is bigger than we are.
When Ruth and I visited Hawaii several years ago the folk’s house we were staying at had a view out or their kitchen window from which you could see the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. It was awe inspiring.
I had an opportunity to drive from a little town in Arizona named Payson which is in the mountains, to Las Vegas and we drove through some canyons the view of which would cause your jaw to drop.
Looking up at some cloud formations will give you that same feeling. Now I understand what the writer of Psalm 19 meant.
Psalm 19:1-6 (ESV)1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
God has made Himself obvious through His creation.
Romans 1:20 (ESV)20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Here are some things, about the creation that should remind us of how big God is and that He loves us:
- The next time you see a sunrise, mind yourself, God is faithful.
- The next time you see snow-covered mountains with their peaks pointing toward the sky, remind yourself, God is faithful.
- The next time you see flowers that have burst into bloom because winter couldn’t stop them from developing in the hidden places, remind yourself, God is faithful.
- The next time you hold a soft-skinned baby in your arms, remind yourself, God is faithful.
Reminder #2: The People We Meet
God uses what we may consider chance meetings or encounters to benefit us later. We have never met anybody by accident. The Bible says that the steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord.
Psalm 37:23-24 (ESV)23 The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way;24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.
Think about some relationships that you had when you were in school. Not those where you stayed in close contact but people that you haven’t seen for years or haven’t seen ever again that made an impact either from something they said, an introduction to someone else or an example you follow today.
The way I plan my workday and workweek are the result of something that my supervisor at Bank of America over 40 years ago suggested. My love for studying the scripture is because I met a group of guys in San Jose over 30 years ago. I don’t even remember their names, but I remember our studies together.
When you doubt whether God cares about you and loves you think about the people that he has placed in your life over the years. If I just sit and think back at some of the difficult and stressful times I’ll remember somebody doing something, sometimes, seemingly out of the blue that helped get me through. That wasn’t just a coincidence. I bet you can remember some of those things too.
Just think about the impression that Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Aben-Nego made on King Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel 2:46-47 (ESV)46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him.47 The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.”
Daniel 3:28-29 (ESV)28 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.29 Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.”
Reminder #3: The Circumstances We Go Through
Our circumstances change and they change us. For example moving from one city to another is a change in location or circumstance and that can put us in a situation of where it is more expensive to live than where we were before and that creates stress. That’s a change for the worse, at least for a while. On the other hand we move from one city to another and we get a huge increase in income that’s a change of circumstance that is for the good. But in either case it changes us.
Look at what happened to the Philippian jailer when place in the circumstance of all his prisoners being set free from their shackles.
Acts 16:27-34 (ESV)27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
Freedom from the stress and anxiety of bad circumstances only happens when we focus on Jesus not the situation arising from our circumstances. God can use those circumstances to remind us of His love for us. Remember we are able to walk in victory because of Christ.
John 16:33 (ESV)33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Reminder #4: Jesus
Jesus is the greatest reminder that God loves us. When things seem so overwhelming that we even doubt that God will help us we need to change our focus.
When we realize that God gave His Son Jesus so that He could pay the take the punishment for our sin. Jesus came and willingly laid down His life as our sacrifice.
John 3:16 (ESV)16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Galatians 3:13 (ESV)13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”--
He then sent the Holy Spirit by and through whom we are able to live a life that is pleasing to God.
John 14:15-17 (ESV)15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
John 14:25-27 (ESV)25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you.26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Jesus will be with us when situations and circumstances are the most difficult and as Shadrach, Meshach, and Aben-Nego walked out of the furnace without even the scent of smoke so will we.
Daniel 3:26-27 (ESV)26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire.27 And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them.
Even in the Worst Times, God Is Good
By Rick Warren
“Protect me, God, because I trust in you. I said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord. Every good thing I have comes from you’” (Psalm 16:1-2 NCV).
Although it’s true not everything that happens in your life is good, that doesn’t mean God is not good, and it doesn’t mean God is not pouring his goodness into your life. God can take the bad and bring good out of it. Even in the worst times, God has a good purpose, a good plan, and a good reason.
Psalm 16:1-2 says, “Protect me, God, because I trust in you. I said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord. Every good thing I have comes from you’” (NCV).
Would you pray and talk to God about his goodness? Say, “God, you are so good. I could never deserve your goodness. I’m sorry that I have often forgotten or doubted your goodness. Forgive me for ungratefulness and prideful self-centeredness. I am nothing without you. Like David, I would despair if I didn’t know your goodness. Open my eyes to see how good you really are, and let it transform my life.
“God, my soul needs restoring. I don’t always think right. I don’t always choose right. I don’t always feel right. I need you to restore my damaged soul, my mind, my will, and my emotions. As I continue learning about your goodness, I trust that my sins have been forgiven because I’ve come to you and said I need a Savior. I’m going to release the people who have hurt me and pray a prayer of blessing over them. I’m going to team up with you and ask you to help me with the load I’m carrying.”
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