God is Good

DEVOTION
1 TIMOTHY
GOD IS GOOD
1 Tim 1:12-14
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
NIV
Who can say they were never once a blasphemer and a persecutor including being a violent person? I certainly cannot say it. I wonder if those who were born into a believing household or raised as a child in one, such as my daughters, who accepted Christ at such a young age, believe they were never once such as Paul describes he was. It seems everyone must admit being a sinner because God declares we all are. But I think I was more than just a sinner. I hated God and all organized religions. I promoted hatred toward them by telling people all they ever want is your money. They are all phonies. In reflection I was also a violent man, filled with pain, emotional scares, and a temperament unlike anything I ever want again. I too was sworn mercy and it must have been because I too acted in ignorance and unbelief. I did not know anything about God actually; I had never read one of his words. Oh as a very small child I was taken to Sunday school, and sang those little children songs about Jesus loves me and such, but that was soon overridden by the life that followed. I am so thankful God was able to break through the barriers I had set up around me to protect myself. I am extremely thankful for all the grace he has poured out upon me and done so abundantly. He has acted so graciously toward me consider all I did against him and his name. I am convinced had he not intervened when he did, I would be dead now and would not have had eternal life, but rather I would have perished. I am overwhelmed by his action in influencing my heart, working in my life, keeping me safe, providing for me is so many ways and simply always being there with me. I cannot explain why I have so much faith in him other than it is from him and his influence upon me. It is so comforting to know that he loves me so much. There are times when it is difficult to comprehend his love considering how evil I was. But I am in his love now and was also in it even in my sinful condition. All I can say it God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.