Hat tip to brother Michael who often says those words and reminds me of God’ s good nature. Last night in church I was hanging onto to those words, pondering them, when our pastor suddenly said the very same thing, “God is in a good mood.” Hallelujah, I do love God’s perfect timing, His synchronicity, His affirmations, His validation.
So it’s settled, “God is in a good mood.”
It’s really unfortunate, but sometimes we have this perception of God, what I call the cranky God of the old testament, the disapproving grandfather with chronic indigestion, the forever angry and wrathful Father. That’s not God, that’s a human response to the moody and abusive people we have encountered in our lives. It’s sad because so many of us equate authority and power with being helpless and in the hands of someone moody who doesn’t seem to like us very much.
That’s not God. That’s people.
Something I really like in the tale of the talents, the lazy servant says, “‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So in my fear, I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’” Matthew 25:24-25
How we perceive our Master influences our behavior. Is He a hard man, perpetually in a bad mood, unfair, greedy? Do we respond to Him in fear, hiding our treasures in the ground or do we understand that “perfect love casts out fear?” Do we sense His generosity, His abundance, His compassion?
“I knew that you are a hard man…” It makes me sad sometimes, we live in a culture that often misses the boat, we equate being hard with power and authority, and softness than becomes weakness, a sin even in some circles. Grasping the truth of Paul’s words is so important, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
The ability to be weak, to be vulnerable, to be completely dependent on God, is strength, it takes great courage, and it is genuine power.
Jesus is the human face of God for us to see, He is our example of what God’s heart for us is. He is not a separate being dying at the feet of a wrathful and vengeful God, a perpetually angry Father who even hates His own son. It’s grievous to even write those words, but it’s a false idea so prevalent among us that I have to say it and I have to say, it’s all wrong.
God is in a good mood, God is not a hard man.
T. F. Thompson said:
I love your description of our Father in Heaven. thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wally Fry said:
Nice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Michael Wilson said:
Amen! Thanks for the mention. Belief that God is in a good mood can be a challenge. Many times it seems easier to believe God is a hard man. The scripture you have chosen is perfect. Of course, God is not a hard man. I say he is in a good mood a lot just to remind myself. 🙂
Be blessed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
craftysurf said:
Hey, the Dentist is always a meanie when he tells you to floss and brush your freakin’ teeth. 👿 Not because it really matters to him, but because he knows you’ll be calling him at 3 A.M. someday, pitching a fit when your tooth becomes so painful you’re willing to interrupt HIS good night’s sleep with YOUR easily avoidable issue.
But, we can always assuage ourselves with the fact that because it hurts NOW, it must be bad, so let’s all agree to avoid it.
I personally don’t see God as having a mood that is relative to any gesture or state of our own making. We are positioned by HIM only, we cannot influence the Genesis and Creator.
LikeLiked by 1 person
insanitybytes22 said:
Amen! Love your tooth analogy. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
authorstephanieparkermckean said:
Amen! Love this positive, upbeat – and true – observation! God is in a good mood. What joyful news!
LikeLiked by 1 person
insanitybytes22 said:
Amen! It is good news 🙂
LikeLike
Pastor Randy said:
Bullseye! The issue with many Tenured Pew Sitters, as well as those outside the Body of Christ, is that they project human attributes onto God. He is NOT human. We find The Hope when we allow God to simply, “Be God” and not “human”! Thanks for the reminder!
LikeLiked by 1 person
oneta hayes said:
But I am so glad he portrays himself to us in “human” analogy. I’m dreadfully afraid I would not understand the safety of being cared for by his strong right arm if he used did not use words with which I identify. I love that “his eye is watching to see those he can do good for”… I love my name being “carved in the palm of his hand.” Oh, and how much I am thankful Jesus was a man with all human emotions and temptations. I glad he said when we look at him we look at God. I’m glad he cares to present himself in simple fashion. He can wait to get technical for some future date! 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Pastor Randy said:
Exactly Oneta, why else would Jesus enter our messy world to go to that messy Cross?
LikeLiked by 2 people