Do you or someone you know wonder why does God do this or that? This week’s blog, asks some questions we all may wonder about at some point. For instance:
Why does God…
*tell us not to be anxious about anything? (Philippians 4:6-7)
*instruct us to say, “If the Lord wills, we will do this or that?” (James 4:15-17)
*say we are not to take revenge on someone who has wronged us? (Romans12:17-19)
*orchestrate some world and personal events and allow other earthly events to happen? ( Proverbs 16:9; 16:33)
*include unlikely women in His plan for the redemption of mankind; women like Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute who hid Jewish spies? (Joshua 2); Ruth, a Moabite woman of faith and great grandmother of King David? (Ruth 4:13-15, Matthew 1:5); Tamar, a scandalous woman who had twin sons by her father-in-law from the tribe of Judah? (Genesis 38, Matthew 1:3);
Bathsheba married to King David and mother of Solomon? (1 Kings 1-2); and Mary, a young virgin of a little, obscure village of Nazareth who loved God? (Luke 1:26-38)
Why does God…
*invite us to partake in the Lord’s supper? (Matthew 26:26-27)
*want us to participate in sharing the gospel? (Matthew 28:19; Corinthians 9:19-23)
*want mankind to be fruitful and fill the earth when He could easily create humanity Himself? (Genesis 1:28)
*command us to love one another? (John 13:34)
*not answer my prayers? (Daniel 13:21; Psalm 13)
Why does God…
*delight in a humble heart and contrite spirit? (Isaiah 66:2, Psalm 51:17)
*choose that the way of salvation is through faith alone and not of works? (Ephesians 2:8-10)
*allow believers and unbelievers alike to suffer? (Job 2; 2 Corinthians 4:17, 12:8-10; 1 Peter
4:12-13) God has the answer to all these questions and any other question man could think of because God knows all things and is the source of all wisdom. He alone is omniscient.
NOTE: Suffering is never about a length of time; it is about the depth of power and the height of transformation God accomplishes in us through it. Simply stated: suffering in the world is because there is sin in our broken and fallen world. But God has a purpose and can bring good out of any situation, and this is beyond our comprehension.
These few examples of “Why does God…” remind me of the first time I flew out to California. I sat in the second seat next to the window. As I looked out the tiny window, I could see only a small portion of the sprawling city of Los Angeles. I could not see the whole of it. But the air traffic controller could. It is the same with us – we see only a small portion of life, but God sees the whole picture of everything from the beginning of time to the end of time all at the same time because He is omnipresent meaning He is present everywhere at the same time.
God’s plan unfolds from generation to generation and will be complete when God draws life on earth to a close and new life in eternity begins. His purpose is revealed to us in Revelation 21:3 that says, “”Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.” His plan for the redemption of man has been in motion since time began and nothing will be able to thwart His plan nor alter His purpose because He has absolute sovereignty over every person and every event in heaven and on earth. (Ephesians 1:11; Isaiah 46:10) That’s why He is called LORD, and that’s why we are to say to the nations, “The LORD reigns.” (Psalm 96:10)