I like God because he had given me everything I need

Danny Fourie

…  that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.  John 3:15

Would it not be nice if the Lord fulfils every wish we may have? Nice, well yes, but, and that is the point to me, it is not necessary. For what I need, God long ago had already given to me. How does the catechism say again? My only hope in life and death is that by the blood of Christ I can be sure of my place in the new heaven and the new earth.

You can compare God's gifts with a big bag of gifts. There are Christians who keep on waiting for their gifts, while the bag is already hanging on the tree. There are also Christians who found the bag, opened it, but got caught up in other things and completely forgot what they found in the bag. When Paul tells us in Romans that we should rejoice, these Christians cannot understand what this joy is all about.

Paul says that we may rejoice after he explained in great detail what Jesus' work on earth means to us. Take only Romans 8 for example. Those 39 verses are packed with the most beautiful promises of God to us. Read Romans 8 a few times to yourself.

We can trust those promises, we can build on them and we can hold on to them. This is the gospel. These are all the things God does for us. That is how much he likes us. When you make that your own, you cannot remain an unhappy Christian.

I am always grateful and happy when I read this chapter. The Bible is not a boring book. The Bible is not a book that gives you a sad face. The Word of God is precisely the only book that in such a unique way makes you and me happy. A more beautiful gift does not exist.

Prayer: Lord, often when I am disappointed about the things I prayed for and did not receive, I forget that you have already given me everything I need. Help me to realise that through the work of your Spirit. Amen