“How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You bestow it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.” (Psa. 31:19) More and more of the greatness; goodness and reliability of God is contrasted with the insignificance, inconsistency and limitations of man. Increasingly the bounteousness, generosity and grace of A PERFECT GOD is identified as distinctly different from the selfish disregard of the things of God from those who DO NOT believe in God.
God’s grace and provision touches all of God’s children and every perfect gift of grace come to us all from above, from the Father of lights – for in Him is no variation or shadow due to change. “Jesus Christ IS THE SAME yesterday, today, and forever.” (Heb. 13:8)
To some individuals, the God in the Old Testament is vastly different from the God in the New Testament. Some would argue that God is much more punitive in the Old Testament, quick to punish sins, a more ‘fire and brimstone’ type of God. Then they claim that God in the New Testament is much more patient, forgiving, and kind. Maybe this God doesn’t even deal out punishment for sins and if so to a much lesser degree. The truth is that the God in the Old Testament and in the New Testament are one and the same God, “YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER.” And, “…to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become CHILDREN OF GOD.” (John 1:12)
-Bill Stockham