He is not Safe but He is Good

I was listening to my Pastor the other day talking about prayer and community. He was talking about the love of the Father for us and his passion for us as his sons and daughters. He put a picture of a book that he was reading up on the screen. At the bottom of the picture the description said “a children’s story,”. He said it's a great book and don’t be fooled by that description! I’ve seen the movies but never read the books. And as with all books made into movies there are things missing from them. I think maybe one of the greatest quotes in the book is missing from the book and so when I heard it I had to write about it. In the book when the kids first hear of Aslan by the beavers something stirred in their hearts. They knew that at the mention of this name there was a power and a majesty that almost couldn’t be measured. Lucy then asked the question “Is Aslan a man?” And Mrs. Beaver replied that he was not a man but a lion, the great Lion. And because of this Lucy was scared. So she asked the question “Is [Aslan] safe?” And the reply was and is one of the greatest descriptions of the Lord there is. Mr. Beaver says, “Safe? … Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

That is absolutely the truth about our God. When we read his word, meditate on his attributes, and contemplate on his nature we find that our God is not safe by any means. He is frightening, terrible, and awesome in power. He is the sovereign king over all creation and rules with authority as the one who created it. But we also see he is infinitely good. And all that power he wields to bring about his glory first and our good. So today if you see God as this scary and fearful God, he is! But remember we do not have to fear him for he loves us and seeks our ultimate good. “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Revelation 1:17-18.