When We Turn to Him

O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.

— Psalm 86:5 (NLT)

We don’t mind serving God . . . until we do. It’s easy to do what’s right when it’s what we want to do. But what about when God asks us to do something we don’t want to?

The Bible is filled with stories of people who argued with God. They disobeyed Him in stubborn and arrogant ways. King Saul is a great example. He once pleased God and led a nation for Him, but when David was selected as his successor, Saul tried to kill God’s chosen king. Samson and Jonah didn’t do much better. They served God faithfully . . . until they didn’t. Samson revealed the secret of his strength, and Jonah thought that God was wrong to offer mercy to a city that had cursed Him. One ended up imprisoned and the other in the belly of a great fish.

All of them were happy to serve God when it was good for them.

Not much has changed over the centuries. Some people still serve God that way. God asks them to attend church on Sundays, pray before meals and put a fish bumper sticker on their car? Sure. They’re happy to do that. But if God asks them to give up their Saturday to help the poor, donate some extra money to a Christian ministry or be kind to someone they don’t get along with, they’ll turn and run as fast as they can.

Serving God requires sacrifice. It will look different for each of us, and none of us will do it perfectly. Our pride and our comfort get in the way.

But there’s good news. Even if we’ve disobeyed God, when we seek His forgiveness, He gives it. Freely. Like the Prodigal Son, we are welcomed home the moment we turn to Him.

King David knew that first hand. That’s why he penned the words in Psalm 86. He knew what it was like to have the Lord’s favor. He knew how it felt to turn his back on God. But when David asked for mercy, God was “so ready to forgive.” People may be fickle, but God is not. His love is always available to us.

Today’s One Thing

Ask God to show you an area of your life where you haven’t been following His lead. Take a step in the right direction.

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