What motivates God?

Today’s reading points to the sinfulness of man and raises the question of why did God allow Adam and Eve a choice regarding that forbidden fruit? He could have made them unable to even want it. 

 Instead of focusing on our sinfulness and how it is so easily provoked, another reading asks a different question. Would it be wise of God to create humans in His own image, people with freedom to live in freedom — and yet restrain that creature from following its liberty? Would it be good of God to force His creation to be happy against their will? Adam was given power to to live in faith. Would it be contrary to God's goodness to deny Adam the free use of that power? 

To make a creature, and not let that creature act according to the freedom of his nature, would make us puppets. No way He make a law to govern His rational creatures and then give them no choice but to obey it. That would not be called obedience. It would defy the goodness in God to create humans with liberty and then govern us in the same manner as He created animals to be governed by their God-given instincts.

Rather. God made the world that the riches of His nature could be communicated to others by many means, particularly those made in His image. He did not richly bless us to make Himself happier. Instead, His Word says we are “to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good” (Deuteronomy 10:13) not for His good. Otherwise, who and what God is would be unknown to anyone but Himself.

In other words, God intended to communicate His goodness in creation, not to acquire any goodness, or excellency from creation. He wants His goodness to be known and  acknowledged. All His works are motivated by His goodness. Wisdom is involved in His creative work as is His power, yet goodness motivates His actions.

“Everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.” (1 Timothy 4:4) The psalmist expressed this also:

There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!” You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. (Psalm 4:6–7)

How then does sin affect the goodness of God? Not at all…

What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? (Romans 3:3)

Instead our fall into sin is not a blemish to His goodness, but provides His way of redemption that destroys the works of sin and the devil and glorifies God. Even sin the goodness of His grace! Contrary to worldly thinking, sin opens the door to finding out more about God’s mercy and goodness: 

For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! (Romans 11:32–33)

PRAY: I have to say that even though You do not want me to sin, and You command me to obey and give me the power to do it through your marvelous salvation work, when I do fail and choose to do my own thing rather than Your will, You are still good. In mercy and grace You restore me and grant me forgiveness to move on toward the righteousness that You, in great goodness, want for me. Even so, the most blessed result is a renewed ability to know and worship You.

The wonder of Providence . . .

 

READ Psalm 71–75

Last night my mind wandered through each decade thanking God for His love and care. When I was finished, thoughts of all my failures burst in like invaders and joy suddenly turned to tears and shame. Adding to this odd experience, I fell asleep and dreamed I was being strongly tempted to sin. I woke up feeling weak and helpless and went to my desk to have devotions.

I turned on my two computer monitors. They each run a slideshow of Bible verses. The first came on with: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) The second screen came on, a different background but the same verse. The first one changed to a new image: a third background but the same verse!

Coincidence? I have 200 pictures in that file, mostly all different verses and set to change every ten minutes. I hear You God!

In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame! In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me! Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress . . . . Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent . . . . O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you? You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. (Psalm 71:1–20)

How does prayer get answered even before it is prayed? How does God know how to line up my PC slide show with today’s chapters from the Psalms? How did He know I would have thoughts and a dream that left me in tears? I know He “delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.” (72:12–14) and for that reason I can say with the psalmist, “May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed! . . . . Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!” (72:17–19)

I experience other times of despair besides this awful sense of weakness and worthlessness. Sometimes I’m overwhelmed at the evil in the world, the times when “the wrong seems oft so strong” yet God constantly  reminds me that He “sets them in slippery places, makes them fall to ruin.” Even when I feel or act “brutish and ignorant” even like a beast toward God, He “holds my right hand, guides me with His counsel, and afterward will receive me to glory.” Just today, He reminds me again, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (73:16–26)

This reading puts comfort into my troubled heart. It affirms that “God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth” and that even though the enemy scoffs, and foolish people revile His name, He will “Arise . . . and defend His cause; remember how the foolish scoff at Him all the day!” He will “not forget the clamor of His foes, the uproar of those who rise against Him.” (74:12–23) He will eventually judge the earth, yet “when it totters, He will keep steady its pillars” and as He “cuts off the wicked, He will lift up those who trust Him.”

Lord, I shake my head in wonder at the timing of those screen shots and at the words from Your Word that set me upright when those thoughts and dreams pounded me with a sense of helplessness. I’m nothing, yet You care for me. I’m absolutely certain that every living soul experiences the same scrutiny, the same grace. We are often blind or oblivious to it, but You are faithful and gracious, taking care of Your people even in our utter weakness and just when we need You, You make Your presence known. Thank You.