Ecclesiastes 1:5
Also, the sun rises and the sun sets;
And hastening to its place it rises there again.
Message: Science and Hermeneutics
Time: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.
What the Lord is Saying:
As has been discussed previously, God is the first cause of all motion in our universe. Aristotle, a Greek philosopher and scientist, who lived from 384 BC to 322 BC spoke of the idea of an "unmoved mover" in life and he said the unmoved mover in life is God. He said that to be this mover, the mover can not include the contingent affairs of individual human beings. Thomas Aquinas, an Italian friar and Catholic priest, who lived from 1225-1274, took Aristotle's idea of an unmoved mover and expanded on it to describe God as prima cause or first cause. Thomas Aquinas asserts that God is the first cause of all things. He said that nothing can cause itself, but there must be a first cause. Thus, God is eternal. Conversely, atheism believes the universe is eternal and things can happen with a cause or things can just happen. To the atheist, it could be that the universe began with a big bang or it simply began.
I would say that both atheism and theology don't have complete understanding for all of the events and things and causes of life. We don't know how God works, but we trust that He works. The atheist also doesn't have complete understanding of all of life, but they believe that as time marches on, it will be discovered how things work.
For me, as I study God's sovereignty and look at life, I see a very complex life. The human body is so complex and to believe that it simply evolved or came together over the years is hard for my brain to fathom. Yes, man is fallible and therefore, has not always done a good job in managing life and even religious thought. Yet, I can also understand how someone might think that life is somewhat ordered by chance or that there is determinism or the thought that today's actions occur because of yesterday's actions.
Many believe that scientists are all atheists as science and theology are often stated to be at odds with one another. This is not so as many of our greatest scientific discoveries have come from those that believe in God as creator and first cause. Scientific discoveries are thus secondary causes which quite simply is how God goes about in accomplishing his work.
I believe that God cannot err and so the Bible is infallible and all true. Psalm 12:6 says - The words of the Lord are pure words;as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times. I have seen that the truth of God and His attributes is revealed through His creation.
The Bible can help is interpret science and science can help us to interpret the Bible. The text that is mentioned today is from Ecclesiastes 1:5. Currently, people who believe in a flat earth state that this verse supports that view - the sun rises and the sun sets; and hastening to its place it rises there again. Yet, Galileo helped us to see that this language is simply what it looked like to Solomon at the time. The Bible is not necessarily a scientific book.
In addition, Scripture can help illuminate creation and show the err in science in attempting to view science, the universe from only an atheistic or naturalistic worldview.
Promise: We need to be slower to speak and quicker to learn from all the disciplines of life. We need to better understand each other's area of study.
Prayer: Lord, illuminate my thinking. Help me to see value in what other people think. I get so caught up in my bubble sometimes and think life can only be defined narrowly. Often when I speak to people this is the perspective they give. Lord, help me to not be a chameleon and look like whatever I hear. But, instead help me to be defined by Your Holy Spirit and what information you are giving me. Lord, in our world there is such a quest to be right and correct. Thank you that we can have faith and believe in You. Keep us close to this thinking. Thank you for your truth and that it can be understood and that it makes sense always. Keep my mind open and other people's minds open to Your truth and Your ways.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
Monday, February 25, 2019
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Romans 1:19-20 - Explaining the Phenomena
Romans 1:19-20
19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
Message: Explaining the Phenomena
Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element.
What the Lord is Saying:
The statement ‘Explaining the Phenomena’ was taken from the ancient philosopher Plato, who was speaking of the role science has in explaining the various things we see in the natural world. He said “save the phenomena” in the sense of saving their intelligibility. Plato wanted to discover those ideas that would explain the data that comes to us through our five senses. This is what science does as it looks at cause and effect relationships to try to describe events of the natural world. [Just now I used the word ‘describe’ but as I have engaged with an atheist I believe he would instead use the word ‘define’ as I think he thinks this is what science does for us.]
Conversely, the Word of God declares in Romans 1:19-20 — that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse — describes that the natural world also helps describe what can be known about God. God’s eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen (though constantly ignored or denied) through what — God and Man — has made.
From Ligonier - "For example, God sends the rain, and rain is caused by the accumulation of water in the clouds. Each explanation is true—God is the primary cause of rain according to His sovereign decree, and the clouds produce rain according to their role as secondary causes within God’s plan."
Promise: When we see an apparent conflict between the Bible and science, either our understanding of the Bible is wrong, our understanding of science is wrong, or our understanding of both is wrong.
Prayer: Lord, help to see and enforce that science and theology can work together and they are both needed.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
Message: Explaining the Phenomena
Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element.
What the Lord is Saying:
The statement ‘Explaining the Phenomena’ was taken from the ancient philosopher Plato, who was speaking of the role science has in explaining the various things we see in the natural world. He said “save the phenomena” in the sense of saving their intelligibility. Plato wanted to discover those ideas that would explain the data that comes to us through our five senses. This is what science does as it looks at cause and effect relationships to try to describe events of the natural world. [Just now I used the word ‘describe’ but as I have engaged with an atheist I believe he would instead use the word ‘define’ as I think he thinks this is what science does for us.]
Conversely, the Word of God declares in Romans 1:19-20 — that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse — describes that the natural world also helps describe what can be known about God. God’s eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen (though constantly ignored or denied) through what — God and Man — has made.
From Ligonier - "For example, God sends the rain, and rain is caused by the accumulation of water in the clouds. Each explanation is true—God is the primary cause of rain according to His sovereign decree, and the clouds produce rain according to their role as secondary causes within God’s plan."
Promise: When we see an apparent conflict between the Bible and science, either our understanding of the Bible is wrong, our understanding of science is wrong, or our understanding of both is wrong.
Prayer: Lord, help to see and enforce that science and theology can work together and they are both needed.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Genesis 2:19 - Science and Theology
Genesis 2:19
Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name.
Message: Science and Theology
Time: Genesis is the first book and Moses is credited as authoring. The book spans 2400 years of time. It was originally written in Hebrew.
What the Lord is Saying:
As I move now in this study away from straight doctrine and into application, I recognize that God is spirit and so I cannot see Him and these doctrines while true, are invisible to me, as He is. The basis of these studies is now on a RC Sproul series called Creation or Chaos and looks at the intersection of science and faith or science and providence. In many ways, I am seeing that the goal of the New Atheists is to pit science against faith and religion in hopes of maybe using that division to uphold science as king while belittling faith. But, in fact they are not at odds with one another. They work together and both have a similar ambition or goal.
Many people do not realize that some of the greatest scientific discoveries in history were made by Christians. Air quality, advancements in medicine, air conditioning, air travel -- these are all ways that science has impacted us. In this text today is also the work of taxonomy in naming and distinguishing every living creature. In addition, the promise to preserve the regularity of days gives us a basis for science. Genesis 8:22 - “While the earth remains,Seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Our day never changes though everything around us does.
Promise: God's revelation gives us a basis for science. Experiments can be repeated because the natural order has been preserved.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for reminding me that You are here and You are present. You are the creator of live, but You also preserve life. You are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Help me as a person to continue to exclaim this to others and make you known throughout the earth or at least in my sphere of influence.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name.
Message: Science and Theology
Time: Genesis is the first book and Moses is credited as authoring. The book spans 2400 years of time. It was originally written in Hebrew.
What the Lord is Saying:
As I move now in this study away from straight doctrine and into application, I recognize that God is spirit and so I cannot see Him and these doctrines while true, are invisible to me, as He is. The basis of these studies is now on a RC Sproul series called Creation or Chaos and looks at the intersection of science and faith or science and providence. In many ways, I am seeing that the goal of the New Atheists is to pit science against faith and religion in hopes of maybe using that division to uphold science as king while belittling faith. But, in fact they are not at odds with one another. They work together and both have a similar ambition or goal.
Many people do not realize that some of the greatest scientific discoveries in history were made by Christians. Air quality, advancements in medicine, air conditioning, air travel -- these are all ways that science has impacted us. In this text today is also the work of taxonomy in naming and distinguishing every living creature. In addition, the promise to preserve the regularity of days gives us a basis for science. Genesis 8:22 - “While the earth remains,Seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Our day never changes though everything around us does.
Promise: God's revelation gives us a basis for science. Experiments can be repeated because the natural order has been preserved.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for reminding me that You are here and You are present. You are the creator of live, but You also preserve life. You are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Help me as a person to continue to exclaim this to others and make you known throughout the earth or at least in my sphere of influence.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Romans 8:28 - The Comfort of God's Sovereign Providence
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Message: The Comfort of God's Sovereign Providence
Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element.
What the Lord is Saying:
I've studied this passage before. At the time I focused more on the fact that this verse is used often by people to help defend that all of life will work out in a way that is most pleasing to each of us. So, I focused instead on the words all things and for good.
But, as I shift back to this study at the moment of God's Sovereign Providence which means that God is actively controlling all that occurs in His creation. His decree is eternal. God is active in His creation. He is providential in that He has decided what is necessary. God is fair and providential towards everyone. His creation impacts everyone. His eternal decree is over big things like governments, dynasties, and empires. But He is also over what we would call small things, like the flip of a coin. He works through people and life, through means. At times He will suspend momentarily natural laws and work in a miracle. He is the only true cause, yet he establishes natural laws and then lets them fall out necessarily; he creates man and gives him the means to choose freely; and he can therefore work out his ways based upon whether a choice goes one direction or another. And despite man choosing, God still controls all and uses man's choices for His glory. He is never responsible for man's sin nor evil, but He is sovereign over evil.
But now as I move beyond this theory of God being over all and actively in control of all, I see the application in this verse that for those that love God, that seek after Him and are called according to His purpose, for those people God works all things together for good. In the midst of all that is happening over this entire creation, God is there for me, for each of us.
This is a comfort for it reminds me that He can work through wrong choices as he can work through good choices. This doesn't mean that everything leading up to good is good. In fact, his decree allows for our wrong choices to occur and yet he still works it out for our good.
In many ways it is too great to comprehend. Perhaps, this is what I see more and more as I continue to study these words and doctrines. The more I think I understand it, the less I do. The more I am to trust in God.
Promise: God ordains and governs whatsoever comes to pass. God will get the glory and will be glorified. I can remain confident in this.
Prayer: Lord, sometimes I don't know where to start as I come before you to voice a prayer. You are over all and know it all and yet you still want to hear from me. You want me to pray. You want me to say "Hallowed be thy name." I was reminded yesterday of my need to call on You. I live too often to protect myself from hurt. Keep me resting on Your promises. Keep me aligned with You. And give me wisdom each day as I live for You. Thank you for working it all out for good. Yesterday, I forgot about this. I got discouraged and deflated and forgot that You were still working. Keep brining me back to You.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Message: The Comfort of God's Sovereign Providence
Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element.
What the Lord is Saying:
I've studied this passage before. At the time I focused more on the fact that this verse is used often by people to help defend that all of life will work out in a way that is most pleasing to each of us. So, I focused instead on the words all things and for good.
But, as I shift back to this study at the moment of God's Sovereign Providence which means that God is actively controlling all that occurs in His creation. His decree is eternal. God is active in His creation. He is providential in that He has decided what is necessary. God is fair and providential towards everyone. His creation impacts everyone. His eternal decree is over big things like governments, dynasties, and empires. But He is also over what we would call small things, like the flip of a coin. He works through people and life, through means. At times He will suspend momentarily natural laws and work in a miracle. He is the only true cause, yet he establishes natural laws and then lets them fall out necessarily; he creates man and gives him the means to choose freely; and he can therefore work out his ways based upon whether a choice goes one direction or another. And despite man choosing, God still controls all and uses man's choices for His glory. He is never responsible for man's sin nor evil, but He is sovereign over evil.
But now as I move beyond this theory of God being over all and actively in control of all, I see the application in this verse that for those that love God, that seek after Him and are called according to His purpose, for those people God works all things together for good. In the midst of all that is happening over this entire creation, God is there for me, for each of us.
This is a comfort for it reminds me that He can work through wrong choices as he can work through good choices. This doesn't mean that everything leading up to good is good. In fact, his decree allows for our wrong choices to occur and yet he still works it out for our good.
In many ways it is too great to comprehend. Perhaps, this is what I see more and more as I continue to study these words and doctrines. The more I think I understand it, the less I do. The more I am to trust in God.
Promise: God ordains and governs whatsoever comes to pass. God will get the glory and will be glorified. I can remain confident in this.
Prayer: Lord, sometimes I don't know where to start as I come before you to voice a prayer. You are over all and know it all and yet you still want to hear from me. You want me to pray. You want me to say "Hallowed be thy name." I was reminded yesterday of my need to call on You. I live too often to protect myself from hurt. Keep me resting on Your promises. Keep me aligned with You. And give me wisdom each day as I live for You. Thank you for working it all out for good. Yesterday, I forgot about this. I got discouraged and deflated and forgot that You were still working. Keep brining me back to You.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
Monday, February 18, 2019
Isaiah 45:7 - Sovereign over Evil
Isaiah 45:7
The One forming light and creating darkness,
Causing well-being and creating calamity;
I am the Lord who does all these.
Message: Sovereign over Evil
Time: Isaiah prophesied from 739–681 BC to a nation that had turned a deaf ear to the Lord. He wanted to see the nation of Judah return to serving God with humility and love for their neighbors. But he was called to pronounce judgments to on a people offering meaningless sacrifices in the Temple and committing injustices throughout the nation. It provides the most prophetic picture of Jesus in the entire Old Testament.
What the Lord is Saying:
Previously, I concluded in saying that God controls all things, this does not mean then that God does all things which would mean then that God does evil. God is over all. But man still has free will, free choices. But we are not to be deceived into thinking that God s evil for only good gifts from God, the father of lights. The light is only light and there is no darkness in it at all.
Again, what has been recorded and known is God controls all things, but does not do all things. But, to take this a step further, God is still sovereign over evil. While God is not the one doing the evil, like men condemning Jesus to death on a cross; Jesus and his death on the cross was necessary. Crucifixion was necessary for all men to be free. Jesus knew he would die before He actually died. He also knew he would rise from the dead before it happened. In good, only God is the author and for good God receives all the credit. But, for evil, only man receives all the credit. Thus, theologians have come up with the doctrine of concurrence to describe the concurrence or two events happening at the same time and those two events are God's sovereignty and man's free will. Man chooses to do right or wrong, but God controls all that occurs. God allows free will, thus choices, thus bad choices, thus evil -- and in the end controls all things. This would mean then that God is sovereign over evil.
Outcomes can be the same but the intent of getting to those outcomes can be different. God and Joseph's brothers wanted Joseph to go to Egypt, but Joseph's brothers wanted him there for evil purposes while God wanted him there for good purposes.
God is no less in charge of good as he is in charge of evil. Isaiah 45:7 says - The One forming light and creating darkness, Causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these. Thus, the idea here is that God does ordain good and He does ordain evil, but He is not responsible for the evil but rather man is responsible. Adam and Eve choosing to eat from the tree of knowledge and good evil was inevitable or ordained by God, but Adam and Eve are the one's that bear the responsibility. Thus, it is good that evil exists as good needs evil. By saying that the Lord created darkness and created calamity does not also say that he chooses darkness in people and chooses calamity. Man is still responsible for his/her choices. God created evil but man committed sin.
Promise: God is not pleased with evil in and of itself, but He does govern it so as to bring about greater good.
Prayer: Lord God you are over all. Your ways are not my ways. You only do good but You watch over all of life and take control. Lord, continue to help me to know You and trust You no matter what. I want to lean on You. Define my days. Thank you for love and what it means to love one another. Thank you for truth and thank you for being everything I need. Lord, as evil enters my life I ask that I continue to trust in You and not give into it.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
The One forming light and creating darkness,
Causing well-being and creating calamity;
I am the Lord who does all these.
Message: Sovereign over Evil
Time: Isaiah prophesied from 739–681 BC to a nation that had turned a deaf ear to the Lord. He wanted to see the nation of Judah return to serving God with humility and love for their neighbors. But he was called to pronounce judgments to on a people offering meaningless sacrifices in the Temple and committing injustices throughout the nation. It provides the most prophetic picture of Jesus in the entire Old Testament.
What the Lord is Saying:
Previously, I concluded in saying that God controls all things, this does not mean then that God does all things which would mean then that God does evil. God is over all. But man still has free will, free choices. But we are not to be deceived into thinking that God s evil for only good gifts from God, the father of lights. The light is only light and there is no darkness in it at all.
Again, what has been recorded and known is God controls all things, but does not do all things. But, to take this a step further, God is still sovereign over evil. While God is not the one doing the evil, like men condemning Jesus to death on a cross; Jesus and his death on the cross was necessary. Crucifixion was necessary for all men to be free. Jesus knew he would die before He actually died. He also knew he would rise from the dead before it happened. In good, only God is the author and for good God receives all the credit. But, for evil, only man receives all the credit. Thus, theologians have come up with the doctrine of concurrence to describe the concurrence or two events happening at the same time and those two events are God's sovereignty and man's free will. Man chooses to do right or wrong, but God controls all that occurs. God allows free will, thus choices, thus bad choices, thus evil -- and in the end controls all things. This would mean then that God is sovereign over evil.
Outcomes can be the same but the intent of getting to those outcomes can be different. God and Joseph's brothers wanted Joseph to go to Egypt, but Joseph's brothers wanted him there for evil purposes while God wanted him there for good purposes.
God is no less in charge of good as he is in charge of evil. Isaiah 45:7 says - The One forming light and creating darkness, Causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these. Thus, the idea here is that God does ordain good and He does ordain evil, but He is not responsible for the evil but rather man is responsible. Adam and Eve choosing to eat from the tree of knowledge and good evil was inevitable or ordained by God, but Adam and Eve are the one's that bear the responsibility. Thus, it is good that evil exists as good needs evil. By saying that the Lord created darkness and created calamity does not also say that he chooses darkness in people and chooses calamity. Man is still responsible for his/her choices. God created evil but man committed sin.
Promise: God is not pleased with evil in and of itself, but He does govern it so as to bring about greater good.
Prayer: Lord God you are over all. Your ways are not my ways. You only do good but You watch over all of life and take control. Lord, continue to help me to know You and trust You no matter what. I want to lean on You. Define my days. Thank you for love and what it means to love one another. Thank you for truth and thank you for being everything I need. Lord, as evil enters my life I ask that I continue to trust in You and not give into it.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
Sunday, February 17, 2019
James 1:16-17 - Sovereign Over Good
James 1:16-17
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
Message: Sovereign Over Good
Time: James is thought to be the brother of Jesus. He did not follow Jesus while he was on the earth, but became a follower and leader of the church at Jerusalem after Jesus' resurrection. It is written about AD 45-48. It is practical application of living a holy life. Faith produces a real change in a person.
What the Lord is Saying:
I have definitely slowed down this month in doing these devotionals on a daily basis. I think it is partly the subject matter: the sovereignty of God which says that God controls everything in life. While I have studied about man having free will it still remains difficult to see at times how they fit together. My conclusion is that man chooses and God works everything out for His good purpose based upon those choices. Yet there are physical laws that make things fall into place based upon those laws. And at times God has used miracles as well. Thus, to expand on this idea, God is first cause and He works through secondary causes. But, even as a sit here and describe this, it is hard to put it all together.
As I use this study and read these words from Tabletalk it continues to catch me off guard. Today's lesson starts with, "In affirming God's sovereign providence, we are careful to not that He is in full control of all that happens." Those words continue to make me stumble with the idea that there is free will. It says, "directing everything according to His purposes." Thus, is he directing our free will? This is supported from this verse in Ephesians 1:11 - we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will which I commented on in the previous study. My conclusion was this idea that "he is in full control of all that happens" means he has created man's position, namely the will of man to choose.
This is further clarified by asking the question - Can God do what is evil? Since he is in control of all things, does he then do what is evil which seems to be what people often think of God in statements such as - Why does God allow so much evil to occur in this world? My sense is that question can be further clarified to mean - Why does God allow so much human suffering if He is Love and He is Good? It seems that the world has concluded then that there is no God and also there is no good and evil. Good is only present because we have the contrast between good and evil. If there was no evil, then there would be no good.
I've never really struggled with this issue of good and evil because they must most be present in life. You can't have one without the other. The Bible supports continually the idea that God is good. It also supports that man is a sinner. Sinners are in need of God because sin separates man from God. This is supported by today's passage from James 1 - Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above.
Now I am always amazed at how the Bible speaks often to present day issues. James 1:16 starts with Do not be deceived. Deception is the crux of the differences that people hold. Most people fall victim to this deceit, believing to be defined by human will rather than seeing that God designed human will and is the first cause. We read the words of God and sometimes they make sense to us, but when they do not we look to other solutions from man and in so doing, if we believe those words, we then can be deceived.
James 1 provides us warnings about the events that occur in life. He starts with trials and reminds us that those trials can be approached with joy because our faith is often tested in those trials. As we have faith through those trials it produces a good in us and every good thing is from above.
Contrary to the sun and the way it moves throughout the earth produces sunlight at times and shadows at others, thus variation and shifting shadow, the Father of lights has no variation or shifting shadow. John 3:19 records This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. Darkness is evil. Men gravitate towards what is dark, our selfishness, our pleasing of self. Therefore, God is not evil and evil is not done by God. But our testing, our trials, our sufferings God can still use for good outcomes.
Promise: God only does what is good. He is the author only of good.
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for thinking that you author evil and that evil comes from you. Thank you for reminding me and showing me that you are only the author of good. Yes, evil exists but it is the outcome of man's free will choices to please self. We are sinners and imperfect and sin results from this as does suffering. Keep reminding me that you are good and only good.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
Message: Sovereign Over Good
Time: James is thought to be the brother of Jesus. He did not follow Jesus while he was on the earth, but became a follower and leader of the church at Jerusalem after Jesus' resurrection. It is written about AD 45-48. It is practical application of living a holy life. Faith produces a real change in a person.
What the Lord is Saying:
I have definitely slowed down this month in doing these devotionals on a daily basis. I think it is partly the subject matter: the sovereignty of God which says that God controls everything in life. While I have studied about man having free will it still remains difficult to see at times how they fit together. My conclusion is that man chooses and God works everything out for His good purpose based upon those choices. Yet there are physical laws that make things fall into place based upon those laws. And at times God has used miracles as well. Thus, to expand on this idea, God is first cause and He works through secondary causes. But, even as a sit here and describe this, it is hard to put it all together.
As I use this study and read these words from Tabletalk it continues to catch me off guard. Today's lesson starts with, "In affirming God's sovereign providence, we are careful to not that He is in full control of all that happens." Those words continue to make me stumble with the idea that there is free will. It says, "directing everything according to His purposes." Thus, is he directing our free will? This is supported from this verse in Ephesians 1:11 - we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will which I commented on in the previous study. My conclusion was this idea that "he is in full control of all that happens" means he has created man's position, namely the will of man to choose.
This is further clarified by asking the question - Can God do what is evil? Since he is in control of all things, does he then do what is evil which seems to be what people often think of God in statements such as - Why does God allow so much evil to occur in this world? My sense is that question can be further clarified to mean - Why does God allow so much human suffering if He is Love and He is Good? It seems that the world has concluded then that there is no God and also there is no good and evil. Good is only present because we have the contrast between good and evil. If there was no evil, then there would be no good.
I've never really struggled with this issue of good and evil because they must most be present in life. You can't have one without the other. The Bible supports continually the idea that God is good. It also supports that man is a sinner. Sinners are in need of God because sin separates man from God. This is supported by today's passage from James 1 - Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above.
Now I am always amazed at how the Bible speaks often to present day issues. James 1:16 starts with Do not be deceived. Deception is the crux of the differences that people hold. Most people fall victim to this deceit, believing to be defined by human will rather than seeing that God designed human will and is the first cause. We read the words of God and sometimes they make sense to us, but when they do not we look to other solutions from man and in so doing, if we believe those words, we then can be deceived.
James 1 provides us warnings about the events that occur in life. He starts with trials and reminds us that those trials can be approached with joy because our faith is often tested in those trials. As we have faith through those trials it produces a good in us and every good thing is from above.
Contrary to the sun and the way it moves throughout the earth produces sunlight at times and shadows at others, thus variation and shifting shadow, the Father of lights has no variation or shifting shadow. John 3:19 records This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. Darkness is evil. Men gravitate towards what is dark, our selfishness, our pleasing of self. Therefore, God is not evil and evil is not done by God. But our testing, our trials, our sufferings God can still use for good outcomes.
Promise: God only does what is good. He is the author only of good.
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for thinking that you author evil and that evil comes from you. Thank you for reminding me and showing me that you are only the author of good. Yes, evil exists but it is the outcome of man's free will choices to please self. We are sinners and imperfect and sin results from this as does suffering. Keep reminding me that you are good and only good.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
Friday, February 15, 2019
Genesis 50:15-21 - Flowing Together
Genesis 50:15-21
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!” 16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father charged before he died, saying, 17 ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph, “Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. 21 So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
Message: Flowing Together
Time: Genesis is the first book and Moses is credited as authoring. The book spans 2400 years of time. It was originally written in Hebrew.
What the Lord is Saying:
Ephesians 1:11 states, we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will. Formerly God's inheritance was extended to Israel though it was expected that the Gentiles be ministered to as well. Israel did not minister to them. Now the inheritance is more broad. It is to Jew and Gentile and Paul makes this clear multiple times in his letters. Jesus made this clear as he often condoned the acts of the Jewish leaders of the day. The Church has been predestined to be part of God's plan for His people or God's welcoming of His people. The Gentiles were always meant to be part of His inheritance.
And this will of God to His church, to His people - all people - Jew and Gentile comes about after the counsel of His will. God works in the same way throughout all the instances of life. He adopts his children to his own. He is always holy, wise, and good. He doesn't operate the way we do, often by emotion. His plan is eternal and He continues to work it out. God has a sovereign decree. God is active and He actively controls all in creation. He actively works out all things in His way. He is the first cause and He works through our choices. Yes, we have free will but He works through our free will choices. There is a conflict in our world between these two. Christianity records that we are pre-destined by God. Determinism states that previous events determine future actions. God says there is free will and free will decision work out for His purpose. Atheism says there is no free will as man does not have a choice in how he responds in life.
Often in life we make choices based upon what we think is important at that time. God does not force us to act against our desires. We do what we most want to do, most of the time. Although Paul records that we often do what our new nature in Christ believes we ought not to do. We tend to do things based upon whatever will bring us health and safety. If a robber points a gun at us and asks us to give over our wallet or he will shoot, we give over the wallet. In that moment, life is more important than money. Thus, we respond in order to preserve life. And as Paul records often our decisions do not always match God's desire for us.
In the telling of Joseph and his brothers who sent him off to be a slave in Egypt. His brothers wanted to see Joseph suffer. God however desired good for Joseph. As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. Thus there is a flowing together in life of man's choices and God's decree.
Promise: The doctrine of concurrence tells us that both God and human beings make things happen according to their respective places in God's decree. It does matter what we do.
Prayer: Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Thank you for helping me understand You better and this life in which I live and breathe. Lord, help me see that my choices matter. I pray that I would honor you in all things. Thank you for continuing to work out my life, for keeping me alive. I am thankful for that, for having another day with my wife and kids and being able to see them grow and develop and my influence on their lives and what You are doing. You do work all things out. It is hard to see other people suffer, but I want to continue to trust in You and constantly evaluate my life. Lord, grant me wisdom to know where you are leading me in my life.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!” 16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father charged before he died, saying, 17 ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph, “Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. 21 So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
Message: Flowing Together
Time: Genesis is the first book and Moses is credited as authoring. The book spans 2400 years of time. It was originally written in Hebrew.
What the Lord is Saying:
Ephesians 1:11 states, we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will. Formerly God's inheritance was extended to Israel though it was expected that the Gentiles be ministered to as well. Israel did not minister to them. Now the inheritance is more broad. It is to Jew and Gentile and Paul makes this clear multiple times in his letters. Jesus made this clear as he often condoned the acts of the Jewish leaders of the day. The Church has been predestined to be part of God's plan for His people or God's welcoming of His people. The Gentiles were always meant to be part of His inheritance.
And this will of God to His church, to His people - all people - Jew and Gentile comes about after the counsel of His will. God works in the same way throughout all the instances of life. He adopts his children to his own. He is always holy, wise, and good. He doesn't operate the way we do, often by emotion. His plan is eternal and He continues to work it out. God has a sovereign decree. God is active and He actively controls all in creation. He actively works out all things in His way. He is the first cause and He works through our choices. Yes, we have free will but He works through our free will choices. There is a conflict in our world between these two. Christianity records that we are pre-destined by God. Determinism states that previous events determine future actions. God says there is free will and free will decision work out for His purpose. Atheism says there is no free will as man does not have a choice in how he responds in life.
Often in life we make choices based upon what we think is important at that time. God does not force us to act against our desires. We do what we most want to do, most of the time. Although Paul records that we often do what our new nature in Christ believes we ought not to do. We tend to do things based upon whatever will bring us health and safety. If a robber points a gun at us and asks us to give over our wallet or he will shoot, we give over the wallet. In that moment, life is more important than money. Thus, we respond in order to preserve life. And as Paul records often our decisions do not always match God's desire for us.
In the telling of Joseph and his brothers who sent him off to be a slave in Egypt. His brothers wanted to see Joseph suffer. God however desired good for Joseph. As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. Thus there is a flowing together in life of man's choices and God's decree.
Promise: The doctrine of concurrence tells us that both God and human beings make things happen according to their respective places in God's decree. It does matter what we do.
Prayer: Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Thank you for helping me understand You better and this life in which I live and breathe. Lord, help me see that my choices matter. I pray that I would honor you in all things. Thank you for continuing to work out my life, for keeping me alive. I am thankful for that, for having another day with my wife and kids and being able to see them grow and develop and my influence on their lives and what You are doing. You do work all things out. It is hard to see other people suffer, but I want to continue to trust in You and constantly evaluate my life. Lord, grant me wisdom to know where you are leading me in my life.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Jeremiah 18:1-10 - Things that Fall Out Consistently
Jeremiah 18:1-10
1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord saying, 2 “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will announce My words to you.” 3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something on the wheel. 4 But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make.
5 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, 6 “Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel. 7 At one moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to uproot, to pull down, or to destroy it; 8 if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the calamity I planned to bring on it. 9 Or at another moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to build up or to plant it; 10 if it does evil in My sight by not obeying My voice, then I will think better of the good with which I had promised to bless it.
Message: Things that Fall Out Consistently
Time: The Chaldeans (Babylonians) are besieging Jerusalem. Nubuchadnezzar is king of Babylon. Zedekiah is the last king of Judah before Babylon destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC.
What the Lord is Saying:
The Westminster Confession of Faith which was a document similar to the Westminster Shorter Catechism and came about after the WSC to help further clarify ideas put forth in the WSC states in 5.2 - "Although, in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first Cause, all things come to pass immutably, and infallibly; yet, by the same providence, He orders them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently."
I am studying this decree of God currently with God as the first cause of all of life, but also realizing that there are secondary causes: necessarily such as physical laws, freely such as free will or human freedom, and now contingently.
The Bible is clear that God ordains our leaders. But he isn't in the practice of electing leaders. While he ordains a president, like Bush, Clinton, Obama, and Trump and thus he is the first cause of these appointments. The election process is carried out by the secondary cause - the free will decision of each of the voters. God establishes what will happen and then the American voters are the secondary cause in serving the means by which the event of election occurs.
Things that fall out contingently are what has been termed "if, then" relationships. Thus, the result or outcome is predicated first on something happening.
In this example from Jeremiah the Lord states two outcomes based upon the decisions of the house of Israel. He states that there will be one result if that nation turns from its evil and a different result if it does evil in My sight. This helps my understanding of God because this confirms the notion of free will and that God has not simply determined each choice.
Promise: We do not know in advance what God has decreed, so we pray, we ask, we choose, then we trust God as the outcome comes to fruition.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the clarity of You and Your word in the midst of the mixed up world we often live in. Bring guidance and understanding to people so that they will glorify You in all they do. Thank you for human free will.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord saying, 2 “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will announce My words to you.” 3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something on the wheel. 4 But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make.
5 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, 6 “Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel. 7 At one moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to uproot, to pull down, or to destroy it; 8 if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the calamity I planned to bring on it. 9 Or at another moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to build up or to plant it; 10 if it does evil in My sight by not obeying My voice, then I will think better of the good with which I had promised to bless it.
Message: Things that Fall Out Consistently
Time: The Chaldeans (Babylonians) are besieging Jerusalem. Nubuchadnezzar is king of Babylon. Zedekiah is the last king of Judah before Babylon destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC.
What the Lord is Saying:
The Westminster Confession of Faith which was a document similar to the Westminster Shorter Catechism and came about after the WSC to help further clarify ideas put forth in the WSC states in 5.2 - "Although, in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first Cause, all things come to pass immutably, and infallibly; yet, by the same providence, He orders them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently."
I am studying this decree of God currently with God as the first cause of all of life, but also realizing that there are secondary causes: necessarily such as physical laws, freely such as free will or human freedom, and now contingently.
The Bible is clear that God ordains our leaders. But he isn't in the practice of electing leaders. While he ordains a president, like Bush, Clinton, Obama, and Trump and thus he is the first cause of these appointments. The election process is carried out by the secondary cause - the free will decision of each of the voters. God establishes what will happen and then the American voters are the secondary cause in serving the means by which the event of election occurs.
Things that fall out contingently are what has been termed "if, then" relationships. Thus, the result or outcome is predicated first on something happening.
In this example from Jeremiah the Lord states two outcomes based upon the decisions of the house of Israel. He states that there will be one result if that nation turns from its evil and a different result if it does evil in My sight. This helps my understanding of God because this confirms the notion of free will and that God has not simply determined each choice.
Promise: We do not know in advance what God has decreed, so we pray, we ask, we choose, then we trust God as the outcome comes to fruition.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the clarity of You and Your word in the midst of the mixed up world we often live in. Bring guidance and understanding to people so that they will glorify You in all they do. Thank you for human free will.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Isaiah 10:5-7 - Things that Fall Out Freely
Isaiah 10:5-7
5 5 Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger
And the staff in whose hands is My indignation,
6 I send it against a godless nation
And commission it against the people of My fury
To capture booty and to seize plunder,
And to trample them down like mud in the streets.
7 Yet it does not so intend,
Nor does it plan so in its heart,
But rather it is its purpose to destroy
And to cut off many nations.
Message: Things that Fall Out Freely
Time: Isaiah prophesied from 739–681 BC to a nation that had turned a deaf ear to the Lord. He wanted to see the nation of Judah return to serving God with humility and love for their neighbors. But he was called to pronounce judgments to on a people offering meaningless sacrifices in the Temple and committing injustices throughout the nation. It provides the most prophetic picture of Jesus in the entire Old Testament.
What the Lord is Saying:
The idea of God's sovereignty and man's free will has always been a big question for me. Fortunately, I've arrived to the part of this study that discusses what it means. The idea from the Westminster Shorter Catechism is that there is a first cause - God, as He creates and sustains all of life. God is first. We are here because of God. God determined the cause for everything in life. He created the physical laws, humans, animals. This includes man's ability to reason and examine information. For much of what he created there is an effect from these causes. He is active in creation, beginning but also continuing to create and make it all work together. He provides us His word to instruct us. He is over the big things of life, the small things and even miracles.
I learned recently that atheism believes in determinism. The idea is that we live according to laws and everything in life is the outcome of a cause. There is no free will. And these causes, well, they just happen. How they originated we don't know. But atheists are confident that they will discover the "why" behind the cause. We don't choose to do things, but rather our actions are the domino effect of previous causes. The contrary idea that God puts forth is free will, that we are not machines or robots or required to choose choices. God is the great cause in history but then there are secondary causes. And these secondary causes per the Westminster Shorter Catechism (5.2) are in 3 divisions: causes that operate necessarily, freely, and contingently.
The "necessarily" things are the physical laws that he establishes like the Law of Gravity. Gravity happens no matter what and as a physical law it takes place throughout the universe, at all times, and never changes. Gravity has always been there. Now, it is important to see that the discover of gravity was aided by a scientist. Thankfully, scientists have helped us to identify these physical laws. We need scientists. Science and faith are not incompatible.
The second division within secondary causes today I look at is things that "fall out freely." This seems to be the crux of free will in our lives. Each person has their own desires and therefore chooses based upon those desire whereas atheism would say our choices are determined from the environment in which we are in. Each person is born into this world with a sin nature. "For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God" - Romans 3:23. That is the conclusion of Romans 3:9-18 in which God makes it clear that no one is righteous. My big takeaway from this is that each person will sin. No one will be perfect, albeit Jesus. But in life, we still have choices. A sinful person may desire to do good things in life but that person is still operating on the basis of living life selfishly in order to achieve acceptance or fulfillment in life for their choices.
Until God saves us and gives us new hearts, our desires are to sin. But as God works through us, righteousness becomes more and more what we want and what drives us. A saved person is still a sinner, but that saved person now has a desire to please God in their life and this pleasing God aspect results in living a life that is not in sin. God may know who is going to end up in heaven and who will end up in hell, but the people in heaven and hell are there due to their own choosing and so both groups of people basically choose to be there.
Human freedom therefore specifies that people will choose what God has ordained but those reasons do not always coincide with what God finds pleasing. I saw this article by Phil Ryken, president of Wheaton college in which he states
This passage today from Isaiah 10:5-7 looks at one situation and sees that there are two reasons that it occurred. There is a divine or God desire in God choosing to send Assyria against Israel as His rod of wrath. Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger. But Assyria came at this situation differently, as a desire to line its own pockets and expand its territory - its purpose to destroy and to cut off many nations. Both wanted the same outcome - Assyria to invade Israel - yet both want it for different reasons.
Promise: Human beings always do what they most want to do. God does not force us to act against our wills. We can never blame God for we do.
Prayer: Lord, this is some heavy material for me to understand. This idea of your sovereignty, man's free will versus determinism starts to sort of baffle my mind when I start to think about how it all works together. I trust Your word and what is says and yet my mind doesn't work in a way to make it all make sense. But, Jesus died on the cross for my sins and has risen from the dead so I will always believe what He has to say and so I surrender to Him. This is what is most important, but help me to still understand the details.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
5 5 Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger
And the staff in whose hands is My indignation,
6 I send it against a godless nation
And commission it against the people of My fury
To capture booty and to seize plunder,
And to trample them down like mud in the streets.
7 Yet it does not so intend,
Nor does it plan so in its heart,
But rather it is its purpose to destroy
And to cut off many nations.
Message: Things that Fall Out Freely
Time: Isaiah prophesied from 739–681 BC to a nation that had turned a deaf ear to the Lord. He wanted to see the nation of Judah return to serving God with humility and love for their neighbors. But he was called to pronounce judgments to on a people offering meaningless sacrifices in the Temple and committing injustices throughout the nation. It provides the most prophetic picture of Jesus in the entire Old Testament.
What the Lord is Saying:
The idea of God's sovereignty and man's free will has always been a big question for me. Fortunately, I've arrived to the part of this study that discusses what it means. The idea from the Westminster Shorter Catechism is that there is a first cause - God, as He creates and sustains all of life. God is first. We are here because of God. God determined the cause for everything in life. He created the physical laws, humans, animals. This includes man's ability to reason and examine information. For much of what he created there is an effect from these causes. He is active in creation, beginning but also continuing to create and make it all work together. He provides us His word to instruct us. He is over the big things of life, the small things and even miracles.
I learned recently that atheism believes in determinism. The idea is that we live according to laws and everything in life is the outcome of a cause. There is no free will. And these causes, well, they just happen. How they originated we don't know. But atheists are confident that they will discover the "why" behind the cause. We don't choose to do things, but rather our actions are the domino effect of previous causes. The contrary idea that God puts forth is free will, that we are not machines or robots or required to choose choices. God is the great cause in history but then there are secondary causes. And these secondary causes per the Westminster Shorter Catechism (5.2) are in 3 divisions: causes that operate necessarily, freely, and contingently.
The "necessarily" things are the physical laws that he establishes like the Law of Gravity. Gravity happens no matter what and as a physical law it takes place throughout the universe, at all times, and never changes. Gravity has always been there. Now, it is important to see that the discover of gravity was aided by a scientist. Thankfully, scientists have helped us to identify these physical laws. We need scientists. Science and faith are not incompatible.
The second division within secondary causes today I look at is things that "fall out freely." This seems to be the crux of free will in our lives. Each person has their own desires and therefore chooses based upon those desire whereas atheism would say our choices are determined from the environment in which we are in. Each person is born into this world with a sin nature. "For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God" - Romans 3:23. That is the conclusion of Romans 3:9-18 in which God makes it clear that no one is righteous. My big takeaway from this is that each person will sin. No one will be perfect, albeit Jesus. But in life, we still have choices. A sinful person may desire to do good things in life but that person is still operating on the basis of living life selfishly in order to achieve acceptance or fulfillment in life for their choices.
Until God saves us and gives us new hearts, our desires are to sin. But as God works through us, righteousness becomes more and more what we want and what drives us. A saved person is still a sinner, but that saved person now has a desire to please God in their life and this pleasing God aspect results in living a life that is not in sin. God may know who is going to end up in heaven and who will end up in hell, but the people in heaven and hell are there due to their own choosing and so both groups of people basically choose to be there.
Human freedom therefore specifies that people will choose what God has ordained but those reasons do not always coincide with what God finds pleasing. I saw this article by Phil Ryken, president of Wheaton college in which he states
God typically works out his purposes through human decisions, natural laws, and the many causes and reactions that are constantly at play in ordinary life--what the Westminster Confession refers to as "second causes." A "second cause" is simply "a cause caused by something else."But whether things happen by necessity or contingency, they all occur under the overarching providence of God.Humans make decisions, yet God knows those decisions ahead of time, and it taking those decisions and working everything out in the way He decrees. Man could make a seemingly bad decision and God will take that bad decision and work out an outcome to His liking.
This passage today from Isaiah 10:5-7 looks at one situation and sees that there are two reasons that it occurred. There is a divine or God desire in God choosing to send Assyria against Israel as His rod of wrath. Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger. But Assyria came at this situation differently, as a desire to line its own pockets and expand its territory - its purpose to destroy and to cut off many nations. Both wanted the same outcome - Assyria to invade Israel - yet both want it for different reasons.
Promise: Human beings always do what they most want to do. God does not force us to act against our wills. We can never blame God for we do.
Prayer: Lord, this is some heavy material for me to understand. This idea of your sovereignty, man's free will versus determinism starts to sort of baffle my mind when I start to think about how it all works together. I trust Your word and what is says and yet my mind doesn't work in a way to make it all make sense. But, Jesus died on the cross for my sins and has risen from the dead so I will always believe what He has to say and so I surrender to Him. This is what is most important, but help me to still understand the details.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
Thursday, February 7, 2019
Genesis 8:22 - Things that Fall Out Necessarily
Genesis 8:22
“While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest,
And cold and heat,
And summer and winter,
And day and night
Shall not cease.”
Message: Things that Fall Out Necessarily
Time: Genesis is the first book and Moses is credited as authoring. The book spans 2400 years of time. It was originally written in Hebrew.
What the Lord is Saying:
In light of the discussion of God's sovereignty, namely that there is nothing that the Lord does not determine and control, the result is a challenge from critics that there is not human freedom. Earlier this week, with the study of Governance of Small Things I brought this up and put forth the idea that: God knows our choices and the entire picture and in order to achieve His overarching outcomes ordains how all of these free will actions will work together for His glory. Now, as I come upon this study, it appears the same thing will be addressed by the Tabletalk writers on March 13, 2017 reading.
The writers state that Reformed thought speaks of a first and second cause in creation. Thus, God is not the only cause for events, but the first cause. He is the one that makes cause and effect even possible. Yes, there are secondary causes in God's decree. These secondary causes have real power to make things happen.
The Westminster Confession of Faith states in Question 5.2 - Although, in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first Cause, all things come to pass immutably, and infallibly; yet, by the same providence, he orders them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.
Thus, there are three categories of secondary causes - means to God's ends: 1. Secondary causes that operate necessarily, 2. Secondary causes that operate freely, 3. Secondary causes that operate contingently.
Today, the focus is on things that fall out necessarily. Here the idea is physical laws cause things to happen by necessity. There are physical laws of our universe such as the law of gravity. Thus, there are not choices as to whether gravity will happen or not. But rather these laws mean that this is how objects work. A book falls off a shelf to the ground because of this law. The scientific community assists in helping us define these laws and their attributes. Thus, these laws are absolute - they happen no matter what. They are universal - they happen throughout the universe. They are stable - they do not change.
Genesis 8:22 speak of this - “While the earth remains, Seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” While the science community helps define how these laws work and acknowledge that they are there. The science community cannot say how these laws began. According to theology, God created these laws. And they shall not cease.
Promise: Secondary causes are the reasons why we do science. We can predict the weather. We can harvest our food based upon a schedule of seasons. God works through them to sustain human life and the universe. God has provided through these laws.
Prayer: Lord, you are creator and definer of all that we see and do not see. There are invisible things in this creation that we trust and believe in each day and yet they are there because you ordained them and therefore they work in conjunction with your will. Lord, I pray that we would all recognize these laws in our lives and trust You for their provision.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
“While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest,
And cold and heat,
And summer and winter,
And day and night
Shall not cease.”
Message: Things that Fall Out Necessarily
Time: Genesis is the first book and Moses is credited as authoring. The book spans 2400 years of time. It was originally written in Hebrew.
What the Lord is Saying:
In light of the discussion of God's sovereignty, namely that there is nothing that the Lord does not determine and control, the result is a challenge from critics that there is not human freedom. Earlier this week, with the study of Governance of Small Things I brought this up and put forth the idea that: God knows our choices and the entire picture and in order to achieve His overarching outcomes ordains how all of these free will actions will work together for His glory. Now, as I come upon this study, it appears the same thing will be addressed by the Tabletalk writers on March 13, 2017 reading.
The writers state that Reformed thought speaks of a first and second cause in creation. Thus, God is not the only cause for events, but the first cause. He is the one that makes cause and effect even possible. Yes, there are secondary causes in God's decree. These secondary causes have real power to make things happen.
The Westminster Confession of Faith states in Question 5.2 - Although, in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first Cause, all things come to pass immutably, and infallibly; yet, by the same providence, he orders them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.
Thus, there are three categories of secondary causes - means to God's ends: 1. Secondary causes that operate necessarily, 2. Secondary causes that operate freely, 3. Secondary causes that operate contingently.
Today, the focus is on things that fall out necessarily. Here the idea is physical laws cause things to happen by necessity. There are physical laws of our universe such as the law of gravity. Thus, there are not choices as to whether gravity will happen or not. But rather these laws mean that this is how objects work. A book falls off a shelf to the ground because of this law. The scientific community assists in helping us define these laws and their attributes. Thus, these laws are absolute - they happen no matter what. They are universal - they happen throughout the universe. They are stable - they do not change.
Genesis 8:22 speak of this - “While the earth remains, Seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” While the science community helps define how these laws work and acknowledge that they are there. The science community cannot say how these laws began. According to theology, God created these laws. And they shall not cease.
Promise: Secondary causes are the reasons why we do science. We can predict the weather. We can harvest our food based upon a schedule of seasons. God works through them to sustain human life and the universe. God has provided through these laws.
Prayer: Lord, you are creator and definer of all that we see and do not see. There are invisible things in this creation that we trust and believe in each day and yet they are there because you ordained them and therefore they work in conjunction with your will. Lord, I pray that we would all recognize these laws in our lives and trust You for their provision.
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
2 Kings 6:1-7 - Providential Working through Miracles
2 Kings 6:1-7
1 Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Behold now, the place before you where we are living is too limited for us. 2 Please let us go to the Jordan and each of us take from there a beam, and let us make a place there for ourselves where we may live.” So he said, “Go.” 3 Then one said, “Please be willing to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I shall go.” 4 So he went with them; and when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. 5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, my master! For it was borrowed.” 6 Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And when he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there, and made the iron float. 7 He said, “Take it up for yourself.” So he put out his hand and took it.
Message: Providential Working through Miracles
Time: The author of 1&2 Kings (originally 1 book) is not known. The time ranges from 853 BC to 586 BC. World affairs is the subject in light of Israel and Judah. None of Israel kings did right in God's eyes. Several of Judah's kings were righteous.
What the Lord is Saying:
This study I have been doing of God's sovereignty has focused on the idea that God is active. He is present in this life and working all the time. He is not simply in and out of our lives, but is active in everything. It is a good reminder to realize that He is there and He is not silent. We continue to live and breath on this earth because of Him. He sustains life. He is over all. His grace is common to all mankind, whether they acknowledge Him or not. He governs the big things, like the dynasties of nations and empires, but then is also in the small things. Nothing occurs by chance or whim. Flips of a coin and casting lots both have purposes. He works through people's lives. People are who they are and are trained often the way they are for a bigger purpose. He works through their skills, talents, personalities to govern all activity.
But God also has suspended certain natural laws in order to carry out a miracle. I was speaking to someone recently, an atheist, and he said he was fine with everything Jesus did, but not the miracle part. He wasn't willing to accept all of Jesus and rejected anything he felt was outlandish. God used miracles to grant special revelation of Himself to people; he worked through prophets and Apostles in carrying out miracles, but since those types of individuals are not present today - it is believed that miracles of that sort do not occur today.
2 Kings 6:1-7 records the miracle of the floating iron ax-head. It is an interesting miracle for it recovers an object simply that appeared to have been lost after cutting down a tree.
Most of the other miracles in the Bible have a very specific purpose and reveal much about our God and Lord and his providence toward people.
Promise: God can direct His creation to do whatever He desires. He can heal the sick, change hearts, and do other things that we pray for. We can be confident in His ability to do things extra-ordinary.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for showing all mankind that you do things in an amazing way. Lord, I pray that people would trust You and realize that You can do more than we comprehend. Keep us focused on You and trusting in You to impact lives.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
1 Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Behold now, the place before you where we are living is too limited for us. 2 Please let us go to the Jordan and each of us take from there a beam, and let us make a place there for ourselves where we may live.” So he said, “Go.” 3 Then one said, “Please be willing to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I shall go.” 4 So he went with them; and when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. 5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, my master! For it was borrowed.” 6 Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And when he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there, and made the iron float. 7 He said, “Take it up for yourself.” So he put out his hand and took it.
Message: Providential Working through Miracles
Time: The author of 1&2 Kings (originally 1 book) is not known. The time ranges from 853 BC to 586 BC. World affairs is the subject in light of Israel and Judah. None of Israel kings did right in God's eyes. Several of Judah's kings were righteous.
What the Lord is Saying:
This study I have been doing of God's sovereignty has focused on the idea that God is active. He is present in this life and working all the time. He is not simply in and out of our lives, but is active in everything. It is a good reminder to realize that He is there and He is not silent. We continue to live and breath on this earth because of Him. He sustains life. He is over all. His grace is common to all mankind, whether they acknowledge Him or not. He governs the big things, like the dynasties of nations and empires, but then is also in the small things. Nothing occurs by chance or whim. Flips of a coin and casting lots both have purposes. He works through people's lives. People are who they are and are trained often the way they are for a bigger purpose. He works through their skills, talents, personalities to govern all activity.
But God also has suspended certain natural laws in order to carry out a miracle. I was speaking to someone recently, an atheist, and he said he was fine with everything Jesus did, but not the miracle part. He wasn't willing to accept all of Jesus and rejected anything he felt was outlandish. God used miracles to grant special revelation of Himself to people; he worked through prophets and Apostles in carrying out miracles, but since those types of individuals are not present today - it is believed that miracles of that sort do not occur today.
2 Kings 6:1-7 records the miracle of the floating iron ax-head. It is an interesting miracle for it recovers an object simply that appeared to have been lost after cutting down a tree.
Most of the other miracles in the Bible have a very specific purpose and reveal much about our God and Lord and his providence toward people.
Promise: God can direct His creation to do whatever He desires. He can heal the sick, change hearts, and do other things that we pray for. We can be confident in His ability to do things extra-ordinary.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for showing all mankind that you do things in an amazing way. Lord, I pray that people would trust You and realize that You can do more than we comprehend. Keep us focused on You and trusting in You to impact lives.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
Monday, February 4, 2019
Judges 4:17-22 - Providential Governance Through Means
Judges 4:17-22
17 Now Sisera fled away on foot to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite, for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. 18 Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said to him, “Turn aside, my master, turn aside to me! Do not be afraid.” And he turned aside to her into the tent, and she covered him with a rug.19 He said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty.” So she opened a bottle of milk and gave him a drink; then she covered him. 20 He said to her, “Stand in the doorway of the tent, and it shall be if anyone comes and inquires of you, and says, ‘Is there anyone here?’ that you shall say, ‘No.’” 21 But Jael, Heber’s wife, took a tent peg and seized a hammer in her hand, and went secretly to him and drove the peg into his temple, and it went through into the ground; for he was sound asleep and exhausted. So he died. 22 And behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man whom you are seeking.” And he entered with her, and behold Sisera was lying dead with the tent peg in his temple.
Message: Providential Governance Through Means
Time: Jewish tradition says that Samuel wrote Judges. Samuel, one of the last judges, that God raised up to rescue His people. This is a sequel to book of Joshua and spans from 14th century and ends about 300 years later. The pattern of behavior in the book of Judges is clear: the people rebelled through idolatry and disbelief, God brought judgment through foreign oppression, God raised up a deliverer—or judge, and the people repented and turned back to God. When the people fell back into sin, the cycle started over again.
What the Lord is Saying:
The topic recently in this study of God's sovereignty has been God's providence, which, in a way, expresses his ongoing work through history. God is active in controlling all activity in creation. He decreed and created all and is active in preserving creation for his intended purpose. His creation benefits followers and non-followers. Thus he preserves but he also governs things. He governs the big things of life, like the dynasties of nations and their effects on society, but he also governs small things, things we might consider defining as chance (rolling the dice or flipping a coin).
The Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 11 states - "God's works of providence are, his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures and all their actions." God never takes a break in our lives.
My father spoke last night about all of the little decisions that occurred in leading up to him going to the BSU when he was at Tulane because they were offering a free meal and my mom was getting up to speak and when my dad saw her he had great desire for her. And spending time with her his grades suffered and he had to not spend time with her but have a standing date in order to get his studies back in order. His roommate, T - was his nickname - wanted him to go to the dinner and my dad was saying he had too much to study but the guy would never give up. So finally he relented and went. And he talked about how he ended up at Tulane from a recommendation from someone at college. He had dated a lot at Baylor but never at Tulane. And he emphasized these are the events and how we all are here. For me, I was thinking it was all divine providence. God governs the events of our lives and everything works out in our lives for His good purposes. He has a plan and that was His plan for me even way back then.
God works in established means or He works through people and physical laws, personalities, and decisions to bring about His purposes. He does not suspend natural processes or override plans and choices but He works in their decisions to bring about His purposes. This is what He did with my dad and what He does throughout our lives. There is purpose and order in our lives.
Judges 4:17-22 records the story of Jael and Sisera. Sisera is a commander of the Canaanites. He had lost a battle against the Israelites, led by Deborah and Barak. Sisera fled to Jael, someone he thought an ally, but Jael drove a tent peg through his skull while he was asleep. This fulfilled a prophecy that a woman would get the glory for killing Sisera (Deborah predicted this). Jael, a woman, was someone trained in erecting and dismantling tents. Numerous times she had hammered a tent peg and that skill was used to deliver the Israelites when the need arose. God worked through Jael's skill to bring about the fulfillment of prophecy.
Promise: God works through means so we do not know how the Lord may use us and our talents but we do know that He can use anything for His purposes.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the way you orchestrate events in our lives and how you do in fact work everything out for Your good. You have done this throughout history. Thank you for showing me how you work in our lives and I want to thank you for Your good work.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
17 Now Sisera fled away on foot to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite, for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. 18 Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said to him, “Turn aside, my master, turn aside to me! Do not be afraid.” And he turned aside to her into the tent, and she covered him with a rug.19 He said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty.” So she opened a bottle of milk and gave him a drink; then she covered him. 20 He said to her, “Stand in the doorway of the tent, and it shall be if anyone comes and inquires of you, and says, ‘Is there anyone here?’ that you shall say, ‘No.’” 21 But Jael, Heber’s wife, took a tent peg and seized a hammer in her hand, and went secretly to him and drove the peg into his temple, and it went through into the ground; for he was sound asleep and exhausted. So he died. 22 And behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man whom you are seeking.” And he entered with her, and behold Sisera was lying dead with the tent peg in his temple.
Message: Providential Governance Through Means
Time: Jewish tradition says that Samuel wrote Judges. Samuel, one of the last judges, that God raised up to rescue His people. This is a sequel to book of Joshua and spans from 14th century and ends about 300 years later. The pattern of behavior in the book of Judges is clear: the people rebelled through idolatry and disbelief, God brought judgment through foreign oppression, God raised up a deliverer—or judge, and the people repented and turned back to God. When the people fell back into sin, the cycle started over again.
What the Lord is Saying:
The topic recently in this study of God's sovereignty has been God's providence, which, in a way, expresses his ongoing work through history. God is active in controlling all activity in creation. He decreed and created all and is active in preserving creation for his intended purpose. His creation benefits followers and non-followers. Thus he preserves but he also governs things. He governs the big things of life, like the dynasties of nations and their effects on society, but he also governs small things, things we might consider defining as chance (rolling the dice or flipping a coin).
The Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 11 states - "God's works of providence are, his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures and all their actions." God never takes a break in our lives.
My father spoke last night about all of the little decisions that occurred in leading up to him going to the BSU when he was at Tulane because they were offering a free meal and my mom was getting up to speak and when my dad saw her he had great desire for her. And spending time with her his grades suffered and he had to not spend time with her but have a standing date in order to get his studies back in order. His roommate, T - was his nickname - wanted him to go to the dinner and my dad was saying he had too much to study but the guy would never give up. So finally he relented and went. And he talked about how he ended up at Tulane from a recommendation from someone at college. He had dated a lot at Baylor but never at Tulane. And he emphasized these are the events and how we all are here. For me, I was thinking it was all divine providence. God governs the events of our lives and everything works out in our lives for His good purposes. He has a plan and that was His plan for me even way back then.
God works in established means or He works through people and physical laws, personalities, and decisions to bring about His purposes. He does not suspend natural processes or override plans and choices but He works in their decisions to bring about His purposes. This is what He did with my dad and what He does throughout our lives. There is purpose and order in our lives.
Judges 4:17-22 records the story of Jael and Sisera. Sisera is a commander of the Canaanites. He had lost a battle against the Israelites, led by Deborah and Barak. Sisera fled to Jael, someone he thought an ally, but Jael drove a tent peg through his skull while he was asleep. This fulfilled a prophecy that a woman would get the glory for killing Sisera (Deborah predicted this). Jael, a woman, was someone trained in erecting and dismantling tents. Numerous times she had hammered a tent peg and that skill was used to deliver the Israelites when the need arose. God worked through Jael's skill to bring about the fulfillment of prophecy.
Promise: God works through means so we do not know how the Lord may use us and our talents but we do know that He can use anything for His purposes.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the way you orchestrate events in our lives and how you do in fact work everything out for Your good. You have done this throughout history. Thank you for showing me how you work in our lives and I want to thank you for Your good work.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Proverbs 16:33 - Providential Governance of Small Things
Proverbs 16:33
The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the Lord.
Message: Providential Governance of Small Things
Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.
What the Lord is Saying:
God is Sovereign which means God actively controls all that occurs in His creation. He works out His purposes in all things. I believe God began this earth and world by creating all. He spoke and ordered creation and the world was created. Once He creates He then sustains that creation. Creation does not exist on its own. God did not simply start the process and then sit back and gets involved or not involved at certain times in history. Instead He is active.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism is a summary of Christian doctrine written in 1646 and 1647 and was meant to align the Church of England and the Church of Scotland. As such it provides a basis of reformation doctrine to help define our beliefs.
WSC 7 states - "The decrees of God are his eternal plan, according to the purpose of his will, by which, for his own glory, he has foreordained whatever comes to pass." God's plan is perfect and He makes everything work together for good. God does not author sin. Man still has free will or the human desire to act as he wills. Thus each person is accountable to their actions. We are not robots or puppets that God controls.
As I study and learn these principles which are summary statements based upon verses from the Bible, the conclusion is baffling to my finite mind. The Bible states that we choose, but God knows our choices and God works all things out to the purposes of his will. God is not waiting on man and then reacts to what He chooses. Yesterday's verse - Acts 17:26-27 - states that God appoints every nation on this earth for the purpose of seeking God. But, this doesn't mean that every nation seeks God. The point is that God governs the big things - nations and empires rule and have dominion over many and yet the point is that God is in control of those big things.
Just as God controls the big things of life, he also is over the small things. Proverbs 16:33 says that The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord. So as much as we want to think that there is chance even in flipping a coin or casting lots, this verse reminds us that, still, every decision is from the Lord.
Note: I think overall the difficulty is God is infinite and outside of time and we live in time and a sequence of events where the future follows the present. My senses is God knows our choices and the entire picture and in order to achieve His overarching outcomes ordains how all of these free will actions will work together for His glory.
Promise: The unexpected flat tire that delays us on the way to work is not unexpected from God's perspective. Whatever the reason, we can thank God in the midst of unplanned events because we know He has a good purpose for them.
Prayer: Lord, I am thankful for the way you orchestrate the events of my life. Many times I have been so close to an accident and even had an accident when it was the difference between a second. Lord, I want to trust You always for the outcomes of life. I still remain focused and work hard, for that is my will but help me always to trust You no matter what.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the Lord.
Message: Providential Governance of Small Things
Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.
What the Lord is Saying:
God is Sovereign which means God actively controls all that occurs in His creation. He works out His purposes in all things. I believe God began this earth and world by creating all. He spoke and ordered creation and the world was created. Once He creates He then sustains that creation. Creation does not exist on its own. God did not simply start the process and then sit back and gets involved or not involved at certain times in history. Instead He is active.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism is a summary of Christian doctrine written in 1646 and 1647 and was meant to align the Church of England and the Church of Scotland. As such it provides a basis of reformation doctrine to help define our beliefs.
WSC 7 states - "The decrees of God are his eternal plan, according to the purpose of his will, by which, for his own glory, he has foreordained whatever comes to pass." God's plan is perfect and He makes everything work together for good. God does not author sin. Man still has free will or the human desire to act as he wills. Thus each person is accountable to their actions. We are not robots or puppets that God controls.
As I study and learn these principles which are summary statements based upon verses from the Bible, the conclusion is baffling to my finite mind. The Bible states that we choose, but God knows our choices and God works all things out to the purposes of his will. God is not waiting on man and then reacts to what He chooses. Yesterday's verse - Acts 17:26-27 - states that God appoints every nation on this earth for the purpose of seeking God. But, this doesn't mean that every nation seeks God. The point is that God governs the big things - nations and empires rule and have dominion over many and yet the point is that God is in control of those big things.
Just as God controls the big things of life, he also is over the small things. Proverbs 16:33 says that The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord. So as much as we want to think that there is chance even in flipping a coin or casting lots, this verse reminds us that, still, every decision is from the Lord.
Note: I think overall the difficulty is God is infinite and outside of time and we live in time and a sequence of events where the future follows the present. My senses is God knows our choices and the entire picture and in order to achieve His overarching outcomes ordains how all of these free will actions will work together for His glory.
Promise: The unexpected flat tire that delays us on the way to work is not unexpected from God's perspective. Whatever the reason, we can thank God in the midst of unplanned events because we know He has a good purpose for them.
Prayer: Lord, I am thankful for the way you orchestrate the events of my life. Many times I have been so close to an accident and even had an accident when it was the difference between a second. Lord, I want to trust You always for the outcomes of life. I still remain focused and work hard, for that is my will but help me always to trust You no matter what.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
Friday, February 1, 2019
Acts 17:26-27a - Providential Governance of Big Things
Acts 17:26-27a
and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him
Message: Providential Governance of Big Things
Time: Clearly written by Luke, this book follows the lives of Peter and then Paul after Jesus' ascension into heaven. The book was completed about 62 AD as Paul sat in prison. It provides an account of the growth of the Church and spread from Jerusalem, from a small group of frightened believers in Jerusalem transformed into an empire-wide movement of people who had committed their lives to Jesus Christ, and it should help us to be bold and have zeal in our walks with God.
What the Lord is Saying:
This creation that he extends to us is a common grace, meaning it is common to everyone. Everyone in history benefits from His creation, no matter whether they acknowledge God as creator and Lord. Everyone needs His creation. Thus there is providential preservation. Everything that exists in creation exists only because He preserves its very being. Thus, when we talk about the God actively controlling all things that occur, this means that his created order is not simply of the past, but is now.
Additional verses are:
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.
and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him
Message: Providential Governance of Big Things
Time: Clearly written by Luke, this book follows the lives of Peter and then Paul after Jesus' ascension into heaven. The book was completed about 62 AD as Paul sat in prison. It provides an account of the growth of the Church and spread from Jerusalem, from a small group of frightened believers in Jerusalem transformed into an empire-wide movement of people who had committed their lives to Jesus Christ, and it should help us to be bold and have zeal in our walks with God.
What the Lord is Saying:
This creation that he extends to us is a common grace, meaning it is common to everyone. Everyone in history benefits from His creation, no matter whether they acknowledge God as creator and Lord. Everyone needs His creation. Thus there is providential preservation. Everything that exists in creation exists only because He preserves its very being. Thus, when we talk about the God actively controlling all things that occur, this means that his created order is not simply of the past, but is now.
Another part of his providence, in addition to preservation is governance. He governs all his creatures and their actions. As I study history at various times, it is amazing to see that today we are not very far off from our history. There are events like the British Empire and Ottoman Empire that still affect us today. When we look at our thinking today it is often because of events from the sixties. I've looked at Roman Catholicism and people's thinking about the fact that Bible reading is reserved to bishops and this continues to affect life today. Thus, it seems clear that God has steered the course of human history. He allots specific periods for His purposes. This may mean that he allows earthly powers according to His good pleasure. We like to however think that as time goes on we develop and progress and evolve in the strongest manner, but in actuality the events of our times are still steered by God.
The verse from Acts today states in 17:26-27 that He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation. Many in this nation are appalled at the leaders of our nations and what they are doing. Yet, this isn't here by accident.
This is interesting as I think also about the power of prayer. When I pray, what I am asking God to do is steer things in a certain direction. I am asking Him to change direction. But, sometimes I wonder if what I am getting out of this is the idea to trust Him for how He has steered things.
- Psalm 103:19 The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.
- Matthew 10:29-30 - Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
To think that the actions of a sparrow are from the Father and he knows the numbers of hairs on our head which means he knows when they are on our head and when they have fallen out. Thus, His knowledge of us is complete.
Promise: Nations do not rise and fall by their own design but succeed and fail only according to the Lord's will. God will preserve His people through all the storms of life and this includes the governments and powers we are under.
Prayer: Lord, as I continue to learn that your providence now is governed, that the events of life are determined for a reason, I see that events of life are steered by You. You order things for your good purpose. I admit my struggle is finding purpose in these events.
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