We believe and confess that God is our Father. He is a good Father—much better than earthly fathers. He is far greater in wisdom, in power, and in goodness. In his wisdom, he knows far better what is good for his children than earthly fathers. In his power, he can do far more for his children than earthly fathers can for theirs. he is far more generous and gracious towards his children than earthly fathers. As a result, we may confidently expect our heavenly Father to give us good things. Christ said, If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:11)

However, sometimes our life’s path takes us down into dark, difficult valleys. Sometimes it seems like bad things are happening to us. And when these troubled times continue for a prolonged period, we often begin to ask, Does God really love us? It might even come to point where we conclude that God does not love us anymore. That is a grievous thought. For there is nothing more precious to a Christian than being assured of God’s love.

In the New Testament, we are taught to seek and find proof of God’s love, not in the outward circumstances of our life, for God might well display His love through the trials of fatherly discipline (Hebrews 12:6). Rather, we are taught to seek and find proof of God’s love in Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul writes, God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). John writes, In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him (1 John 4:9).