Dear Friends,
As I've continued to reflect on the goodness of God, I've been thinking about the temple built by Solomon. When the temple was finished, there was a dedication ceremony. Solomon prayed that God would come and inhabit the temple, and toward the end of his prayer, he asked that the people would rejoice in God's goodness, saying,
"Now arise, Lord God, and come to your resting place,
you and the ark of your might.
May your priests, Lord God, be clothed with salvation,
may your faithful people rejoice in your goodness."
- 2 Chron. 6:41 (NIV)
Then fire came from heaven, and God's glory filled the temple. The people responded by kneeling in worship and rejoicing in the goodness of God, saying
“He is good;
his love endures forever.”
- 2 Chron. 7:3 (NIV)
Last Sunday, when we read Isaiah 6:3-5, we talked about how Isaiah had a vision of God's throne room and was overcome and even terrified by the incredible goodness of God. Here in Chronicles, as is Isaiah, people who are near to the presence of God are struck most by God's goodness.
When people forget God, one of the most crucial things they forget is that God is good. In the opening prophecy of the book of Isaiah, God says that his people have forgotten him.
“I reared children and brought them up,
but they have rebelled against me.
The ox knows its master,
the donkey its owner’s manger,
but Israel does not know,
my people do not understand.”
- Isaiah 1:2-3 (NIV)
People are meant to recognize God instinctively as someone with whom they have been intimate and around whom they feel safe and cared for. But we tend to forget that God is a good and loving parent who cares for us. We run away out of the fear that God does not love us and does not intend good for us. But this is one of the greatest lies foisted off on human beings. God is good. Do you believe that? Deep down inside? Can you submit yourself to God, trusting in God's goodness and rejoicing in it?
A Prayer for Today:
God, show me your goodness. Help me not to be afraid but instead to put my trust and hope in the work that Jesus has done on the cross, destroying the power of sin and evil so that I can enter into your incredibly good presence. Look with favor on me. Teach me to participate in your goodness. And let me rejoice in your goodness and in your presence. Amen.
Love in Christ,
Michelle
