Hosanna Restoration Church

No matter what, it is good to keep in mind the goodness of God. When the word of God pierces your heart, remember He is good to those who look for Him. In bad times or good, God is good. There are many other verses that may seem more fitting for the context of this devotion, but in all things, the goodness of God trumps all.

I was driving down the road heading to worship with my guys in prison when I saw two large trees lying like a work of art in a field. They looked like a monument you might see in front of a building, but there they were a beautiful picture on the prairie. As I marveled at them the Lord simply said, “They look good but they are still dead!”

This caught me a bit by surprise, but very quickly a download of thoughts followed that tied the whole picture into what the Lord had been speaking to me for a few weeks concerning following God and what happens when we don’t follow.

Like the trees, we can have a nice appearance covering a dead spiritual life. We can be like the folks who murdered Jesus while trying to keep up appearances. This is why a scripture reminding us to examine ourselves may seem more appropriate, but without the underlying assurance of the goodness of God and His willingness to forgive, we can become very overwhelmed by our own failures. Still, it is good consider our dead spots.

Yesterday my daughter made reference to my no shave November looking face. Oddly, her comment took me a bit by surprise. I had not really noticed! I guess I have other things to do than look in the mirror! Today as I trimmed, I thought how easily we can miss things that are obvious. How easy would it be to just lie in a field like a dead tree so to speak thinking all is well?

How easy would it be to become uncaring, ungrateful, and of no real use in the Kingdom of God while thinking we are just dandy. Paul wrote to Timothy telling him to stir up the gifts that were in him. I am thankful that the Holy Spirit brings out the stirring spoon and speaks into my life.

This reminds me of a dead branch we had hanging in a tree for years. I did not like it, but kept thinking maybe it would blow out some time. Eventually it did. The tree looks better now. I don’t want to just leave dead spots hanging in my life with God. No matter what else may work well and look good, those will be the things that are most noticeable. Isn’t that a pleasant thought?

With this in mind, let’s give thanks to the Lord. Let’s rejoice in His goodness. Let’s determine in our hearts to make the choices to do what we must to follow Him, filled with His life and pouring that life out on the world around us. Or we can be like the dead trees. That is not a selfie that I am interested in posting!