21/02/2025
*EUPHORIA Devotional*
_(The spirit of joy, an ecstasy that comes from God)_
*February 21, 2025*
*GOD IS TOO GOOD*
*AROME E. TOKULA*
*Matthew 5:44-45*
*44 But I say to you, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, BLESS THOSE WHO CURSE YOU, DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO HATE YOU, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,*
*45 that you MAY BE SONS OF YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.*
Some years ago, I was brooding on this scripture when the Spirit said to me, “Do you think that God will ask you to do what He doesn’t do? The answer of course is No! This is one thing we have often overlooked in this Scripture. God will not ask us to do what He will not do Himself. We have been wrongly taught that God will only bless those who bless Him and that He only does good to those who do good!
According to today’s text, we know God that would LOVE, BLESS and DO GOOD to those who hate, curse and spite Him.
God doesn’t bless or do good to us because of what we do but because of WHO He is. The _Message_ translation says, _*“... This is what God does.”*_
Understanding the goodness of God towards you despite your performance is the foundation of solid faith in God. If you don't know the character of God, it becomes very difficult to effectively serve Him or even receive anything from Him. God’s goodness means that He doesn’t look at you to do you good because today’s text says that He gives rain and sunshine to both the good and the bad. If He doesn’t look at men’s goodness to give them rain or sunshine, then be rest assured that He is not looking at your performance as His child to give you anything!
The peak of God’s goodness was demonstrated at the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus when He gave His Son as the sacrifice to pay for all your wrongdoings so that you can freely receive everything that you need. 2 Peter 1:3 says, _*“According to his divine power hath GIVEN UNTO US ALL THINGS that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue...”*_ It is His divine power - not our physical effort - that has given you all - not some - things. This divine power was demonstrated in the resurrection of Jesus (Ephesians 1:19, 20).
Whatever you desire today - healing, finances, a new job, a car, promotion, a business opportunity, just name it - I want you to know that it has been provided for you in the sacrifice of Jesus and all you have to do to have it is to start believing that if He loved you enough to give you Jesus, then He is withholding nothing from you and you shall have it (Mark 11:24; Romans 8:32).
Stop looking at your performance today and start seeing God as a good Father through what He has done for you in Christ Jesus! He is indeed so good, and faith begins by believing this profound truth which is God’s goodness.
*DECLARE*
|| *I thank You Father that all I will ever need has been provided in the finished works of Jesus. Today as I step out in faith, I believe I receive and enjoy God’s goodness because of what Jesus has done for me.* ||
*PONDER*
_God is not looking at your performance as His child to give you anything._