Contrary to what we might infer from our afflictions, God is always for us.
He rejoices when we rejoice. He hurts when we hurt. His love motivates him to produce goodness from our suffering.
God compares his love for us with the tender love a nurturing mother has for her newborn child.
The mother loved the baby as soon as she learned of her pregnancy, months before the child was born.
God has loved us since eternity past, long before we ever existed.
The mother willingly endured great pain to give her child the opportunity to live with her on earth.
God, in the person of Jesus, willingly endured great pain to give us the opportunity to live with him in heaven.
The mother is wholly attentive to her newborn baby and fiercely devoted to its wellbeing.
God says we are even more uppermost in his mind. He is even more dedicated to our welfare.
The mother instinctively desires to comfort and help her child when it becomes distressed.
God instinctively desires to comfort and help us when we become distressed.
The mother delights when the baby is physically mature enough to recognize her presence.
God delights when we are spiritually mature enough to recognize his omnipresence.
The mother relishes the times when the baby trusts her enough to rest contentedly in her arms.
God relishes the times when we trust him enough to rest contentedly in his arms.
The newborn baby does nothing but complain, impose demands on the mother, and make messes she must clean up, without a hint of gratitude for her care and provision.
No matter. The mother loves the baby unconditionally.
Too often, we do nothing but complain, impose selfish demands on God, and make messes he must clean up, without a hint of gratitude for his care and provision.
No matter. God loves us unconditionally,
The mother and child relationship differs from our relationship with God in two essential aspects.
The baby does not decide to be born physically, and its bond with the mother develops naturally without effort.
Due to our fallen nature, our natural inclination is to live independently of God.
Therefore, we must choose to be reborn spiritually, and our bond with God requires intentional and continuous cultivation.
