God has a REASON!

Young Jeffery comes running in the house on the freshly mopped tile floor, his mom looks up and endearingly says, “Be very careful.” Mumbling he whispers, “Why?” continuing on as he looks over his shoulder at her, just when he slips and falls head long into the corner of the kitchen table. “So that you don’t slip and fall.” Or as some of us have heard or said, “Because I said so.” Sound familiar? Perhaps with different characters and a slightly different scenario.

I appreciate how the word of God is so very practical. We find that God gives insight and instruction with PURPOSE, even if that purpose is to know His un-limited love. Did you know that the VERY significant itty bitty phrase “so that” occurs 747 times in the Bible. Yes, I looked at each one, (with a few mugs of mint hot coco mind you) Let’s open our bibles and look at EVERY one! (just kidding) “Perseverance must finish its work SO THAT you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” ( Ja. 1:4 emphasis mine) It’s not just our Father saying, “Because I said so” God has a reason!

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, SO THAT the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. – 2 Tim. 3:16-17

Paul prays ” I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, SO THAT you may know Him better” – Eph. 1:17

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, SO THAT we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. – Heb. 4:16

“These things I (Jesus) have spoken to you SO THAT you may be kept from stumbling. – Jn 16:1

Paul story is FULL of ‘so that’s.’ “For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when God, (don’t you just love the ‘But when God’) who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me SO THAT I might preach him among the Gentiles.” – Gal. 1:13-16 (excited commentary, my interjection)

We all have a ‘so that’ connected to us, for some of us multiple times a day! God is, does, and gives ‘so that ….’ All this ‘so thating’ (yes beloved, it is a word … now) is God Fathering us. Let’s face it, God doesn’t NEED a reason, and notice He doesn’t pull the “I AM THAT I AM” card. Walk in the ways of the LORD your God, SO THAT you may live and prosper. – Deut. 5:33 Because I said so, I AM THAT I AM.

Put on the full armor of God SO THAT you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. – Eph. 6:11 Use the Word I gave you, so you are ARMED against the Liar, Killer and Destroyer!

God has a reason!

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)