Bible Reading Blog
“Good Comes From God”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: Psalm 16
“I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”” (Psalm 16.2)
Children do not understand their utter dependence. From the time they come out of the womb, they quickly learn their parents are going to give them what they need. When they cry, they get fed. When they’re tired, they expect to be rocked, swaddled and put into their bed. Their paradigm is very selfish because that’s all they’ve ever known.
We know they must learn how to do these things themselves, but they don’t realize that. They just assume their parents are watching out for their best interest.
As parents, that’s what we do. We provide for our children even when they are thoughtless of what we have done. Sometimes it’s frustrating because they can be incredibly selfish; but as long as they are in our house, we do our best to give them what they need because we love them. And those moments when, unprompted, they stop to say “thank you” or put their arms around your neck and say, “I love you” make it all worth it. I don’t know why acknowledging our efforts seems so unnatural to children, but I do know that it will only come through maturity.
This relationship highlights the immaturity we sometimes have towards God. As our Father, he gives and gives and gives! We have access to everything that is his (Luke 15.31b)! And yet, like children who thoughtlessly presume our parents will provide, we sometimes fail to acknowledge God’s daily provisions.
Sometimes it’s not until our best efforts leave us unfulfilled that we see how desperately we need the Father’s presence and blessings (Luke 15.13-19). But like a true Father, he always leaves the door open for us to be with him (Luke 15.20). As we mature we realize that, “nothing on earth I desire compares to you… It is good for me to be near God” (Psalm 73.25, 28). We can acquire things that will bring us momentary pleasure, but it is not things that bring fulfillment (Ecclesiastes 5.11), but the presence of God in our lives.
The good we experience only comes from God. It is the effect of God’s grace to make life bearable (Ecclesiastes 2.24-25; 3.12; 5.18-20). As James would note, “every good thing comes from God” (James 1.17). And yet, how often have you overlooked this simple truth?
The greatest joy we can offer our Father is to acknowledge his grace, and the greatest fulfillment we will find is to walk with him in obedience (Psalm 16.9-11; 17.3-5). Let’s not behave like children; let’s go onto maturity (Hebrews 6.1) and practice daily thankfulness and humility towards our Father who provides for and sustains us (Psalm 3.5; 1 Thessalonians 5.18).
“I bless the LORD who gives me counsel… You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16.7, 11)
