Seeing God's Goodness

The Lord has really been teaching me lately that walking with Him is, for lack of a better word, simple, because all I have to do is obey. Yes, we face opposition. Yes, we face temptations. Yes, our flesh likes to take over. But what if we changed our mindsets from “I need to get myself out of this opposition I’m facing” to “God, I give this situation to You and ask You to help me.” I believe that when we change our mindsets from trying to do things out of our own strength to giving our situations to God and hearing what He says, we’ll have victory over many things in our lives.

Isaiah 30:18 (NLT) says, So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.

I struggle with giving things to God. I tend to do 90 percent of the work, and then say, “Okay, God, finish it off.” (Instead of, from the beginning, giving Him full rein.) It’s almost as though I’m fearful that He won’t do it. So, in my mind, I do the majority of it so if He were to not come through, I could finish it off.

I remember wanting a new car after my first one began to break down. I remember praying and God saying that He would guide me. Instead, I wanted it right away. I began to go out to car lots and test-drive cars, and I became very stressed. There were so many options. Not one time did I ask God if I was making the right decision. I finally got my new car and took on car payments that were too high for my income. God was merciful during this time. I found a better-paying job so that I could afford the car payments. I learned then that God wants to be our God in every aspect of our lives. He wants to be Lord of the process.

Isaiah 30:18 says that God is waiting to show His love and compassion to me. He is a faithful God and the ones who wait for His help are blessed. So, when I do most of the project, I’m not allowing Him to show His love and compassion to me because I’m not going to Him sooner.

Isaiah 40:31 says, But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary.

Scripture shows God’s character to be overwhelmingly gracious. If He is waiting on me and I choose to trust Him, I get to see the goodness of the Lord and gain strength and confidence. And the Lord gets to smile down on me! Today, I want to pray for you. Slow down, go to God, and wait for His goodness and strength to come upon you!

Father God, I thank You for Your unfailing love. I thank You for loving each one of us. I ask that You forgive us for our wrongdoing and not going to You first. I pray for my brothers and sisters who read this to be flooded with Your presence, Lord. Let us all experience Your goodness and renewed strength today. In the name of Jesus, amen!

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.