In the darkest moments of biblical history, we see, with particular vividness, the desire of God to bless his people. The light of God’s love, however, only makes the darkness of his people’s unrepentant hearts more pronounced. But whenever they cry out to him, God saves his people to show them his willingness to bring them back to himself. Does it make any difference? Do they mend their ways and devote themselves to God? Sometimes, but most often they don’t (see 13:4-6). It seems to be so intensely counter-intuitive for us to trust in God. It seems that straying from God is as natural as eating and sleeping. Yet there is no reason in our turning away. Experience told Israel, and it tells us, that things go better with God. God does not guarantee that your circumstances will be better if you entrust yourself to him. He does, however, guarantee that you will go better whatever your circumstances may be. And yet this isn’t really the point of trusting God. It is not a pragmatic choice but a relational necessity. To live independently of God is to live in conflict with God. It robs God of the prerogative to be God to us. We also deprive ourselves of our fundamental defining relationship. To trust God is to rest in his love and, above all, we need to know God’s love. God loves you and calls you to draw near to him and trust him for everything that concerns you most.
Reflect on God’s love for you.
Read 2 Kings 13
