Words of Cheer for Daily Life

When the safe is bursting with gold, we somehow can do without as much prayer. But once your gourds have been taken away (Jonah 4), you want your God. Once the idols are cleansed away out of the house, then you must go and honor the Lord. God does not afflict willingly, nor grieve us for nothing, but He does so out of love and affection. He knows that if He leaves us unchastised, we will bring upon ourselves misery ten thousand times greater than we will suffer by His slight rebukes and the gentle blows of His hand. He is admonishing you, not punishing you. He is correcting you in measure, not smiting you in wrath. There is no angry displeasure in His heart. Even though His brow may be ruffled, there is no anger in Him toward you. Even though His eye may have closed upon you, He does not hate you. He still loves you.