God’s Sovereign Will
Posted by jerrywhite on Dec 2, 2012
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:9, (ESV)
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When one considers the circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth it becomes quite clear that God’s ways are not what any human would naturally choose. Humans always desire what is comfortable, convenient, and explainable. We often think God should act in ways that make sense to us without leaving unanswered questions. God is not concerned with our comfort, convenience, and unanswered questions about what and why His will is what it is. A significant part of death to self in order for Christ to rule in your life is to lay down any hope of understanding God’s infinite, all-wise ways. Who can grasp the expanse of the heavens or count the grains of sand on the oceans’ shores plus the world’s deserts. That would be easier than understanding God’s sovereign ways. He accomplishes His will by His Spirit for His glory with infinite love, and He answers to no one for the way He chooses. Peace comes when we leave it all quietly in His loving hands with complete trust. He is working all things together in the best possible way for His purpose.
Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth (Chapter 2) illustrates this vividly.
Was God not concerned about Mary’s reputation when His Spirit impregnated this unmarried teenage girl? What about Joseph’s reputation as her husband to be?
Why would God arrange for a census to be taken at the end of Mary’s pregnancy so that she would have to travel in her last week on a three-day difficult journey to Bethlehem?
Why would God not reserve Mary and Joseph space in the inn instead of having them go to an animal shelter with animal droppings, insects, and a feeding trough for His baby Son to rest in? Why did God not provide a midwife to assist Mary in childbirth instead of only Joseph to help her?
Why would God announce the birth of the Savior to a few lowly shepherds in a field rather than to religious and / or world leaders in Jerusalem?
With far less than ideal circumstances, God accomplished His decreed will. He still works this way, and says, “Trust Me even though you do not understand.”
JRW
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O Sing Hallelujah!
Posted by jerrywhite on Jan 8, 2012
At ninety-three years of age, with a body worn out, my widowed mom longed to be with Jesus. She often asked me to ask the Lord to take her home, and she did not understand why the Lord left her here. I would respond that I trusted Him to take her in His time that was appointed before she was born (Psalm 139:16). After her broken hip, her decline was quite stark both mentally and physically. We visited her in July (900 miles away) and even though her ability to remember and speak clear sentences was greatly diminished, one day when I was sitting alone with her she said with strong voice and passionate affirmation, “I just want to go be with Jesus!” I knew she meant it with every ounce of her being. I once again assured her of our Lord’s perfect plan and timing for His will to be done. We trusted and rested in His gracious will.
This morning (Sunday, January 8, 2012) at five o’clock the Lord Jesus called His redeemed child to Himself, and now she gazes on the glorious splendor of His majesty.
There are moments of grief for the loss of Mom who loved me so much, her only child, and faithfully prayed for me all these years. Yet there are moments when my soul inwardly stands up and shouts Hallelujah! We believers are born again to a living hope (1 Peter 1:3).
O death we defy thee!
A stronger than thou
Hath entered thy place;
We fear thee not now!
O sing Hallelujah! O sing Hallelujah!
O sing Hallelujah, be joyful and sing,
The grave cannot scare us—Christ Jesus is King!
Our Lord Christ hath risen!
Day breaketh at last;
The long night of weeping
Is now well-nigh past.
O sing Hallelujah! O sing Hallelujah!
O sing Hallelujah, be joyful and sing,
Our foes are all conquered—Christ Jesus is King!
Lord Plunket –Bishop of Meath (1629-1681)
Amen!
(Note: I will not post again until these days for mom’s funeral are past.)
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Always Under His Love
Posted by jerrywhite on Apr 7, 2011
“The Lord was pleased to visit me with a slight illness in my late journey. The Lord gave me much peace in my soul, and I was enabled to hope He would bring me safe home, in which I was not disappointed. I have reason to speak much of His goodness, for it was sweetened with abundant mercies. I thought that had it been His pleasure I should have continued sick at Oxford, or even have died there, I had no objection. Though I had that joy and sensible comfort which some are favored with, yet I was quite free from pain, fear, and care, and felt myself sweetly composed to His will, whatever it might be. Thus He fulfills His promise in making our strength equal to our day; and every new trial gives us a new proof how happy it is to be enabled to put our trust in Him.
Take it for granted upon the warrant of His word, that you are His, and He is yours; that He has loved you with an everlasting love, and therefore in loving-kindness has drawn you to himself—that He will surely accomplish that which He has begun and that nothing which can be named or thought of shall ever be able to separate you from Him. This persuasion will give you strength for the battle. Be strong therefore, not in yourself, but in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
John Newton (1725-1807), formerly a slave trader
Fill Me With Hope, April 17
Compiled by Paul M. Miller
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Through him [Jesus Christ] we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand.
Romans 5:2 (ESV)
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As God’s child you are always steadfastly in His grace and nothing can ever remove you from that secure position. It needs to be settled in your heart that whatever comes to you comes by the Father’s permission, tenderly measured by Him, in order to accomplish in your soul His eternal purpose for you. If you do not live with this strong conviction, then you have no anchor for your soul, and you will be tossed to and fro by whatever happens.
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Our Father’s Garden
Posted by jerrywhite on Mar 24, 2011
“Recently I sat in the garden with my friend and secretary. We were in perfect health, rejoicing in the Lord’s goodness. We were happy as we sat there reading the Word of God and meditating. Dare we think of being so happy? Within five days I was stricken with disabling pain, and worse, far worse, he was called upon to lose his wife. Here is our comfort: the Lord has done it. The best rose in the garden is gone. Who has taken it? The Gardener. He planted it and watched over it, and now He has taken it. Does anyone weep because of that? No! Everyone knows it is best that He should come and gather the garden’s finest.
Are you deeply troubled by the loss of your loved one? Remember, the next time the Lord comes to your part of the garden, He will only gather His flowers.
Would you prevent Him from doing this, even if you could?”
C. H. Spurgeon
Beside still Waters, 46
Roy H. Clarke, Editor
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“If we are to experience serenity in this turbulent world, we will need to take firmer grasp of God’s sovereignty and trust His love even when we cannot discern His purpose. We must remember that the hand molding the clay is nail-pierced, and that our God’s sovereignty will never clash with His paternity.”
J Oswald Sanders
Enjoying Intimacy With God, 95
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Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.
And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Job 1:20-21 (ESV)
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God Rules All
Posted by jerrywhite on Nov 30, 2009
Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.
Psalm 115:2-3 (ESV)
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The Lord Jesus is on His throne and no one can dethrone Him. He rules the universe. All nature is subject to His command. Every nation is like a drop from a bucket, and every nation’s ruler is under His authority. Because He is sovereign He does whatever He pleases. Rejoice with peace—our Almighty Savior is in charge. As Master Builder and Owner He holds all the keys in His omnipotent hand and no one can snatch them from Him.
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Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10).
“It is not easy to be still in this rough and restless world. Yet God says, ‘Be still’; and He also says, ‘In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength’ (Isaiah 30:15).
Be still, and know that I can put all enemies to shame. The Lord shall hold them in derision. Who shall contend with Him who made the heavens and the earth? Remember, I am God.
Be still, and know that I can uphold My own truth in a day of error. Is not My truth precious to me? And My book of truth, is it not above all books in My eyes? Remember, I am God.
Be still, and you shall know that I can say to the nations, ‘Peace, be still.’ The waves rise, but I am mightier than all. Remember, these tumults do not touch My throne. Take no alarm; I am still God.
Be still, and you shall see the glorious issue of all these confusions. Know that this world is My world, and you shall see it to be so. Remember, this earth shall yet be the abode of the righteous, because I am God.
Horatius Bonar (Scotland, 1808-1889)
Fill Me With Hope, compiled by Paul M. Miller, October 14
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