Dennis the Menace and the Goodness of God

Okay, so who here loves Dennis the Menace? (He is a classic British comic strip, in case you’re wondering!) There is a story about how Dennis and his pal were leaving Mrs. Brown’s house after she’d given them a biscuit? His friend was all confused, like, “Did we get a biscuit because we were good?” And Dennis, in his usual mischievous wisdom, sets him straight: “No, it’s because Mrs. Brown is good that we got a biscuit!”

That’s kinda how it is with God, isn’t it?

God is GOOD. Like, seriously good. He loves us unconditionally, even when we mess up, even when we’re not deserving. He showers us with blessings – from the air we breathe to the friends we have – simply because that’s who He is. It’s not about us being good enough; it’s about His overflowing goodness.

The Bible is full of reminders of God’s goodness:

• Psalm 34:8: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
• Lamentations 3:25: “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.”
• Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

But here’s the thing: This loving, good God is also a fearful God. Whoa, hold on! What does that mean?

It doesn’t mean He’s scary or out to get us. It means He’s awesome, powerful, and worthy of our respect. Think about it: He created the entire universe! He holds the stars in place and knows every hair on your head. That’s pretty mind-blowing, right?

When we understand how amazing God is, it makes us want to:

• Love Him: Because He first loved us.
• Obey Him: Not out of fear of punishment, but out of respect and gratitude for all He’s done.
• Trust Him: Knowing that He has a plan for our lives, even when things get tough.

Prayer

Dear God,

Thank you for being so good to us, even when we don’t deserve it. Help us to understand your love more and more each day. We want to follow you with all our hearts and live in a way that honours you.

Amen.

So, next time you’re feeling down or like you’ve messed up, remember Dennis and Mrs. Brown. God’s goodness isn’t dependent on you being perfect. He loves you just as you are, and He wants to shower you with His blessings. All you have to do is open your heart to Him.