When Bad Things Happen
Oct 20, 2022 11:52:49 #
God has obviously not promised us an exemption from the bad things that happen to people in this world. As Christians we are saved from the coming wrath of God, but for now in God’s providence we are variously exposed to the painful and tragic events that plague mankind. This, of course, was God’s promise in Genesis 3 to all the inhabitants of earth. The painful thorns and the death of loved ones are the fidelity of God to his own word.
The good news is that God’s special care and planning for his redeemed people is always presented to us in Scripture as exacting and precise. As Job learned, there is not a tragedy that befalls us that has not been carefully measured and governed by God’s active involvement. We can be sure that every “crisis” we face is right on schedule. The next “shocking emergency” was clearly no surprise to God. We can be sure that our pain or surprise is not indicative of an inactive or inattentive Father.
So with Paul we can confidently say that God’s grace is always sufficient for the painful trials he has decreed for us in his wisdom (2 Corinthians 12:9). While these truths are presented to us in Scripture to be a comfort and to provide perspective, the greatest comfort and perspective is the one we gain by contemplating the consummation of all things. One day this pain-filled interlude will be over and the Alpha and Omega will say: “Now the dwelling of God is with men… there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4).
The good news is that God’s special care and planning for his redeemed people is always presented to us in Scripture as exacting and precise. As Job learned, there is not a tragedy that befalls us that has not been carefully measured and governed by God’s active involvement. We can be sure that every “crisis” we face is right on schedule. The next “shocking emergency” was clearly no surprise to God. We can be sure that our pain or surprise is not indicative of an inactive or inattentive Father.
So with Paul we can confidently say that God’s grace is always sufficient for the painful trials he has decreed for us in his wisdom (2 Corinthians 12:9). While these truths are presented to us in Scripture to be a comfort and to provide perspective, the greatest comfort and perspective is the one we gain by contemplating the consummation of all things. One day this pain-filled interlude will be over and the Alpha and Omega will say: “Now the dwelling of God is with men… there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4).
Oct 22, 2022 00:44:00 #
Romans 8:1-4, 31-39
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,
so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the [Holy] Spirit.
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?
Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God - and He is interceding for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,
so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the [Holy] Spirit.
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?
Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God - and He is interceding for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Parky60 wrote:
God has obviously not promised us an exemption fro... (show quote)
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