It is written in Matthew 7:11 that Jesus said…
If you then, who are 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!
This much I know, the ways of God are past understanding. WHAT God is doing is not easy to figure out. But I can tell you this, God is always working. Just because we don’t see what He’s doing does not mean nothing is being done by Him. He IS bringing about GOOD THINGS for His children! Trust Him!
I do not believe in Deism… that God started the world spinning and now is waiting to see what the outcome will be. Neither do I believe God can only do what we allow Him to do in our lives. Nor do I believe God looks into the future to find out what is going to happen then tells us what will happen. No… I believe God is sovereign. I believe He is actively involved in our lives to a much greater degree than we know or understand. Consider the following Scriptures and let them direct our hearts…
Isaiah 46:9, Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose…
Daniel 4:35, All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and He does according to His will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand or say to Him, “What have You done?”
Romans 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then He has mercy on whomever He wills, and He hardens whomever He wills. 19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist His will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honored use and another for dishonorable use?
God is not impotent! He is 100% sovereign in every way. Never… not one single time… is God’s will EVER thwarted. If there is any question about that, read Isaiah 46:9-10 again. Read Daniel 4:35 again. Read Romans 9:14-21 again. The issue is not what do we WANT to believe, but rather what does God say about Himself? We are to believe that!
Question: “What can God do?” Answer: Whatever He wants to do. Question: “Why can God do that?” Answer: Because He is God.
Now here’s what that means. God is always working to bring about His glory and the Christian’s ultimate good (His will for our life). Just because we don’t see how something can be good doesn’t mean it isn’t good. And so we trust God (Pr 3:5). THAT means as we look into our lives, God’s will is being worked out… on time… perfectly… whether we understand it or not, whether we get it or not. Period.
And we can trust God because He is good… because He is supremely loving. Amen…
Thanks Ron! Needed that reminder today!
I need to remind myself of that truth often too…
Ron; you are so correct. Now, this additional thought: I taught SS yesterday using the subject from the quarterly and out of the Bible and the subject was divorce. I am convinced that my comments were entirely Biblical.However, at the very end of class and while the class was still in session,one individual who had experienced divorce in his own marriage, angrilly expressed the thought during class that I was being very judgemental. I responded saying that if anyone in the class was offended by any of my comments, then I was sorry. The individual said nothing further and left the class. After class, three class members who had themselves experienced divorce, said that I had said nothing except the Biblical truth. Ron,how should I now restore a Christian relationship with that angry individual? I am praying about this of course. I value your thoughts.
Pat… knowing you the way I do, you presented the Scripture clearly. For that, you need not apologize. Every time Scripture is presented there will be those who stumble. My suggestion would be to go to that person and seek to restore the relationship. But there is no need to apologize for teaching what is found in Scripture… unless you are embarrassed by what God placed there. But I know you better than that. Believe me, I know what it is like to present the truth and it anger people. They aren’t mad at you, they’re angry with God.