Nothing Can "Separate Us From God's Love"-Jehovah Sifts the Good From the Bad

Third, as Jehovah searches through us, he carefully sifts, looking for the good. For instance, when Jehovah decreed that the entire apostate dynasty of King Jeroboam was to be executed, He ordered that one of the king's sons, Abijah, be given a decent burial.  Why? "Something good toward Jehovah the God of Israel has been found in him."  (1 Kings 14:1, 10-13)  Jehovah, in effect, sifted through the heart of that young man and found "something good" there.  However small or insignificant that bit of good may have been, Jehovah found it worth noting in his Word.  He even rewarded it, showing an appropriate degree of mercy to that one member of an apostate household. 

An even more positive example may be found in good king Jehoshaphat.  When the king committed a foolish act, Jehovah's prophet told him:  "For this there is indignation against you from the nation of Jehovah."  What  a sobering though!  But Jehovah's message did not end there. It went on:  "Nevertheless,there are good things that have been found in you." (2 Chronicles 19:1-3)  So Jehovah's righteous anger did not blind him to the good in Jehoshaphat.  How unlike imperfect humans!  When upset with others, we may gent to become blind to the good in them.  And when we sin, the disappointment, shame, and guilt that we feel may blind us to the good in ourselves.  Remember, though, that if we repent of our sins and strive hard not to repeat them, Jehovah forgives us. 

As Jehovah sifts through you, he discards such sins, much the way a prospector panning for gold discards worthless gravel.  What about your good qualities and works?  Ah, these are the "nuggets" he keeps!  Have you ever noticed the way found parents treasure their children's drawings or school projects, sometimes for decades after the children have forgotten them?  Jehovah is the fondest Parent.  As long as we remain faithful to him, he never forgets our good works and qualities. In fact, he would view it as unrighteous to forget these, and he is never unrighteous.  (Hebrews 6:10) He also sifts us in another way. 

Next time: Nothing Can "Separate Us From God's Love"-Conclusion of Jehovah Sifts the Good From the Bad

From the book: Draw Close to Jehovah