The Goodness of God

God moved me to tears this morning as He took me down memory lane. I have been reading in Leviticus about all the rules on sacrifices, what is clean and unclean and how the Israelites should live. I said to myself, "There is no way I could keep all those rules!" I am so grateful for what Jesus did on the cross and for making it possible with the free gift of salvation.

I remember when I met my husband, I thought to myself, "He is too good for me." Meaning, He seemed to have a good head on his shoulders, and his heart right with the Lord. I on the other hand, did not have anything in my life put together. I did not go to church, could not tell you what I wanted to do in life and made some poor choices for myself. I would say I was not on the right path. I asked Jesus into my heart and was baptized when I was eight, but I did not know Jesus like I do today. One night, in my town house many years ago, I fell to my knees knowing I cannot do this life without Jesus. I did not have to clean up my life and then go to Him, I just went! That is all it takes to surrender yourself to God by saying, "God, I can't do it without you, please forgive me of my sins and come into my heart" and He does. From that night forward my life began to completely change.

I was recalling all these memories and thinking God is so good! I did not know before I began a close relationship with Him just how much He wants to do in our lives when He is in our hearts. We get stuck in life, struggling on our own. Trapped in bondages that God does not want us to be trapped in, like anxiety and depression. And for some, it has been that way your whole life. There is healing, restoration, freedom from sin that comes with God's forgiveness - it is all good! He makes it possible to be victorious in life!

As I read about the Festival of Tabernacles in Leviticus chapter 23, they were to live in temporary shelters as a reminder of when God brought them out of their oppression in Egypt. It says in Leviticus 23:42-43 "Live in temporary shelters for seven days: All native-born Israelites are to live in such shelters so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in temporary shelters when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God" (NIV).

God wants to bring you out of your oppression! He wants you to experience His goodness! I love how the Israelites were to get branches from luxuriant trees and rejoice before the Lord in Leviticus 23:40. God is holy and wants nothing but the best! Let that sink in today! If He wants the best, you know He wants the best for you too!

Remember where God has brought you and seek Him with what is keeping you from experiencing His best!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus and the opportunity to have a Savior! I cannot do this life without you, and you deserve all of my praise today for giving me the best gift you could have ever given me! In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.