(Reposted from Instagram)
Men are afraid to have good thoughts of God. They think it is a boldness to eye God as good, gracious, tender, kind, loving. I speak of saints. They can judge Him hard, austere, severe, almost implacable, and fierce (the very worst affections of the very worst of men, and most hated by God). Is not this soul-deceit from Satan? Was it not His design from the beginning to inject such thoughts of God? Assure yourself, then, there is nothing more acceptable to the Father than for us to keep up our hearts unto Him as the eternal fountain of all that rich grace which flows out to sinners in the blood of Jesus.
– John Owen
My baby girl smiled.
Oh, the way her bright eyes turned crescent and her little mouth opened to almost laughing! I laughed with her, and was so moved by her that I teared up. I know it’s a newborn reflex, but that’s fine. She’s mine, and she smiled, and I love her so.
That was yesterday, and I am thinking today: If I, with my finite love, can take such delight in my daughter, how much more does our infinite Father delight in us, his children?
Some see God as a cosmic, soft, permissive, Santa. Their wrong thoughts of him don’t allow them to see his holiness, justice, and wrath. But I am constantly tempted to see God as harsh, disapproving, and impossible to please. My wrong thoughts of God cloud my vision of his steadfast love and Fatherly delight. How far from the truth this is and how it must grieve him.
Perhaps you are like me, jealous to uphold God’s holiness but timid about his love. To God’s children who are like me–
…What if we dared to believe that God delights in his creation?
…That he regards us with joy and love— fruits of the Spirit?
…That as he makes us more like Christ, he rejoices in the image of himself he sees in us?
…That as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him? (Psalm 103:13)
…That he sent his Son to save, because that’s how much he loves?
How we would know him more truly and love him more deeply!
Beloved, believe. May you smile to think of his love for you today. And would you know his delight for you when you do.
Keeping Heart 