Trick or Treat

“You have done these things and I have kept silent; you thought I was just like you. . .” Psalm 50:21

 “. . . you thought I was just like you” certainly does not sound like something God would say. But check it out; it’s there - in black and white, for all the world to see.  

It’s the only time that phrase is found in Scripture.   

I wonder why it’s in there?

Well, I was checking out Halloween decorations and getting ready to hand out goodies to our neighborhood kids when I had this idea: It is frightening (BOO!) how the Almighty Creator God is treated by His creation.

Here’s what I see us doing: somehow (quite naturally) we mentally dress up God in outfits of our making. We make Him into something He’s NOT. We dress Him up in “outfits” that are so NOT Him.

Things like: “I wonder why God loves other people but not me?” . . . “I know God would never do that!” . . . “ “God never answers my prayers; He has forgotten me.” “There’s no way God would ever forgive THAT!”

It’s like we are playing trick or treat with God. We “dress Him up” and ask, “Is He good or bad today?” “Will He give me a trick or a treat?”

Somehow we forget something important Jesus taught about Father God: “Which of you fathers gives your son a snake if he asks for a fish? Or a rock if he asks for bread?”-Matthew 7:9-10 (interpretive translation)

Then Jesus says this about Father God: “If you fathers who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father God give good things to those who ask Him?!” –Matthew 7:11

We foolishly think God is like us. Like, depending on His mood or the kind of day He’s had, He will treat us—(i.e. do what we want, give us whatever we want, or undo what we’ve done) or God will trick us—(i.e. deceive us, ignore us, neglect us or hurt us.) Trouble is, neither of our thoughts, trick or treat, is worthy of God.

God is not a Trick or Treat God. He is the God of welcome; He is the God Who says, “I’ve been looking for you and am glad you are coming to Me.”

Jesus reveals His Father God is a god of Hospitality: He is the God Who says, “All you who are weak and burdened, come to Me and I’ll give you blessed peace.” Matthew 11:28

“I’m preparing a place for you and I will come back and receive you to Myself. Where I am is where I want you to be”-Jesus  John 14:2

That’s the spirit of hospitality. Hospitality is what happens when we anticipate and prepare to provide an inviting and accepting experience of blessing with those God brings into our lives.

It’s just like the song we teach our little ones, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me; the Bible tells me so.”

God is not a Trick or Treat God. He is way too good for that. Just ask Him.