While waiting in a pharmacy for a prescription I watched a four-year-old little girl come up to her mother with a penny she found on a counter. When her mother told her to put it back there was not a moment’s hesitation. She ran back to the counter and carefully put it back where she found it. As she was returning to her mother she stopped and said to me, “Why are you smiling at me?” I was a bit startled but then responded, “Because you were such a good girl. You obeyed your mommy right away.”
I chatted a few moments with her mom and thought, “I think there are lots of smiles in heaven when we are obedient.” There are many opportunities each day for us not to obey and God’s reputation is on the line. He has maintained that we can overcome. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
Satan is an accuser. He delights when we fail and he can throw our failures in God’s face. So when we do well Satan is frustrated and God is so pleased. When we obey we give God the satisfaction of being able to say, “Well, done my good and faithful servant.” And just like any proud parent He beams at our successes. God has done so much for us. It is grand to be able to do something for Him. Today let’s give Him tons of opportunities to smile.
Written by Roger Bothwell on March 5, 2014
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org