After tragic or painful events, people are quick to ask: “Why has God allowed this to happen? Couldn’t he have prevented this?”
Yet while we are happy, we do not care to thank God for all the good things in our lives. We take for granted that we are happy, that we have food, and that we have friends.
Today I want to share thoughts about another quote from the bible:
“Nevertheless, he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:17 KJV).
Food Supplies
In Germany, as in other Western countries, people rely on their supermarket. Even if farmers in their homeland report poor crops in one year, supermarkets would still have enough food. This food would have been grown somewhere else in the world.
The apostle’s message remains the same. The God who has created the whole world is the one behind all the good things in our lives. He has arranged nature so that it produces food supplies for men and women to live on.
Gladness
God knows, we are not always happy. Yet Paul points out that moments of untainted gladness are a gift from God.
Think of the happiness you experience when you see a beautiful spot in nature. Think of a panoramic view in the mountains. Think of a hidden spot near the sea. Or remember some beautiful flowers in your own garden.
You would be aware of other reasons why you can view natural beauty. Science provides many explanations. Yet behind all this, there are still some unanswered questions.
The bible tells us God is behind the existence of natural beauty. God upholds natural laws. He sustains that sowing and reaping are possible on this earth.
If you can agree to this, nature tells us something about the love of God! Why not, for the time being, set aside your questions and doubts? Focus on what you do know about the love of God!
Why not take a moment to thank and praise God?
“Lord God, I thank you for the beauty in nature that makes me feel happy when I see it. Lord God, I thank you because nature still provides food for men to live on! You have arranged things wonderfully. Thank you for all the good things in my life! Amen.”
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