The Heart of God for You

There was a man who saw a scorpion floundering around in the water. He decided to save it by stretching out his finger, but the scorpion stung him. The man still tried to get the scorpion out of the water, but the scorpion stung him again. A man nearby told him to stop saving the scorpion that kept stinging him. But the man said: "It’s the nature of the scorpion to sting. It’s my nature to love. Why should I give up my nature to love just because it’s the nature of the scorpion to sting?"

I feel that sometimes God reaches out to rescue us, to deliver us or set us free, but we turn our backs on Him. We voluntarily walk away from Him, but God doesn’t give up loving. God doesn't give up showing His goodness even if people's nature is to turn away from His love.

Throughout history God’s desire has been to fellowship with man. He visited Adam and Eve in the garden in the cool of the evening and spoke to them. We see events in the Bible where He rescues and delivers man. Every time the children of Israel cried out for help we see Him sending a deliverer. He rescues them from the enemy, but then they forget and turn away from Him.

In the last few days I’ve been thinking of the price Jesus paid to reconcile us to the Father. What a merciful God whose nature is love! He is love. He laid down His life out of love for you and me.

The parable of the prodigal son (or as I like to put it 'The compassionate father') shows us the nature of God as a very merciful and compassionate God who is willing to receive the prodigal son back home. We serve a waiting Father who wants us to run to Him. His arms are open wide for His children to run to Him and let Him do the rescuing, the delivering and restoration.

We might not always understand why we’re walking in the wilderness or in difficulties but when we understand His heart for us we know we can trust Him to rescue us. The scorpion stings to protect itself from harm. We sometimes don’t want to face situations because they hurt, and when the Lord bring things into the light so that He can bring order and healing we tend to 'sting'. I mean we turn away. We hide under a mask and avoid the issue. God wants to heal and restore, that’s His nature and heart for us.

David, when faced with similar circumstances, said this:-
‘You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, LORD, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain’ (Psalms 139:1).

God is for you and not against you!

Prayer: Father, I realise that sometimes I have turned away from You and not let You reveal Your heart to me. Please help me to understand that You love me and are willing to rescue and deliver me from every circumstance that surrounds me. Help me to put my total trust in You, in Jesus’ name. Amen.