Understanding God in Troubled Times Remember my imprisonment. Able to do exceedingly and abundantly using unlikely people to further His plans. In this wilderness they shall be destroyed, and there they will die. As for the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land and who returned and made all the congregation grumble against him by bringing out a bad report concerning the land, even those men who brought out the very bad report of the land died by a plague before the Lord. His words imply that all the torment will be tolerable. This doesnt erase tragedy or transform heartache, but it gives us a divine perspective on the hard times of life that enables us to keep on going when wed rather give up and quit. Which caused the church to grow rapidly. This warning was made clear in the ancient covenant revealed long before through Moses in Deuteronomy 28. Judas served Gods purposes even though what he did was wrong and he ended up in hell. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. When we dont see the ungodly punished immediately, or when they seem to be successful in their evil ways, we should not assume that God is beaten or is pleased to turn His head. God has sinners pray and answers the prayers of sinners that are according to His will, getting glory for himself. In the eyes of the Jews, Saul would be seen as a warrior of the faith. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask 4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. God is still using unlikely people to accomplish His will on earth today. God is unimpressed. The fact that God ordains both the means and the ends should surely encourage us as we face our own trials. The unbelievers, become confused, not remembering ever having the opportunity to serve Jesus. God has already determined the end from the beginning (Isa. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (Genesis 12: 3). In such a manner Judas served Gods purposes through his wicked act of betrayal. Philippians 3:4-7 - although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. Our accomplishments do not justify our existence. ", Writing & Teaching Inductive Bible Studies. His plan in doing so was to bless all people. Rejoice that Christ is all-sufficient and always dependable. 16:30), when he uses you or others, delivering you from your trials, be sure to praise, thank, and give Him all the glory for sovereignly using sinners. He recognized what was evil because he believed Gods law. The Lord can never be blamed for evil, but evil does not take p. God never does evil Himself. In fact, in one place in scripture, God said that what He was doing could not be understood even if He explained it. Egypt made his brother, Jehoiakim, the new king over the Jews. The Lord did it, but He did it through Moses. One of the most remarkable things about the Scriptures is how they preserve for us what we regard as our highest dignity, which is the right to exercise our own will. Now relax your hand! And the angel of the Lord was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. It is a mighty nation, It is an ancient nation, A nation whose language you do not know, Nor can you understand what they say. . Email Jack. All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven, will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. When we reach a dead end in our own resources, God can part the sea of the impossible and get us through, but I digress. Is that a contradiction? But most of the time we wont see it fully until we finally arrive in heaven. At times, God enlisted non-believers to help His people through the ages. He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. And Jesus said, For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind., Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, We are not blind too, are we?. Surely all the men who have seen My glory and My signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice. If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience sake. His betrayal proved that the Jewish leaders were far from innocent bystanders in the death of Christ. The phrase all this refers to the betrayal, the circumstances surrounding it, and the circumstances flowing from it. The terms Neo-Babylons and Chaldeans are used interchangeably for the people of that Empire. WebAnd then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will. But what a privilege it is to be used by God! so that they might escape from the devil's snare, even though they've been held captive by him to do his will. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. During his ministry his greatest opposition came from the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the scribes and the teachers of the Law. So the emphasis of the chapter is on Gods working out His purpose through ordinary people who obey Him. They were evil cowards who hated the Son of God but feared a popular uprising if they tried to arrest him. Their end will be most awful. But among the leaders of the nation, only a few followed Christand they became secret believers for fear of persecution by their brethren. But as for you, your corpses will fall in this wilderness. God even gave prophecy through Isaiah that this very thing would take place. God uses all those who humble themselves before the cross, boasting only in him his strength, his wisdom, his righteousness, his accomplishment. This brings us face to face with the doctrine of Gods providence, which means, A) God has a plan that includes everything that happens in the universe, and, B) Gods plan extends to the tiniest details of life, and. Compared to you or me, King Solomon had it all wisdom, wealth, fame, power. God can use anyone and anything. Anyone who resists God risks falling into spiritual deception (2 Here is my answer: He allowed Judas to betray Jesus so that Jesus could become the Savior of the world. The evil ones believe pridefully that their own imagined gods have blessed them. Recent events may not have gone how you hoped and the signs may seem bleak. Although God was at work in the betrayal, you couldnt see it that night. Comments? 10:17 Paul writes, So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ. When we preach the gospel to someone and they come to saving faith, we dont boast that we have saved them but that God has saved them, though we were the instruments of Gods saving work. This is the grace of God as revealed in His merciful covenant. We should never presume to say to an unbeliever, God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. We cant know that. The purpose of www.drivennails.com is to help train expository preachers in sermon construction and delivery, to train inductive Bible study writers and teachers, and to edify the saints with the Word of God. God strengthened Cyrus so that he could conquer nations and overcome opposition Thus says the Lord God to His 2. So through his death, he can have everlasting life on earth. In Acts 2 God poured out His Holy Spirit on the disciples who spoke on the streets of Jerusalem in the languages of the Gentiles who were present. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent. Then the Lord said to Moses, Why are you crying out to Me? All four gospel writers agree that three times Pilate rendered the same verdict regarding Jesus: I find no fault in him (John 19:6 NKJV). For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy. 1 And Saul approved of his execution. If so, did he have a choice? 28:25, The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them; and you shall become troublesome to all the kingdoms of the earth. WebGod will never set man's will aside and use him for a good purpose without his being willing to be used. In the beginning Satan challenged Gods right to rule. This was Moses advice to the people of Israel when facing the imminent threat of death, and it is true for us as well when facing any trial. How will they preach unless they are sent? His covenant is always enforced. They mock authority and law, and believe that might makes right. They still look to their own strength and ability as if they were divine and answer to no authority above their own. At first he ordered the Israelite babies to be killed at birth by the midwives (Ex. But the fact of the matter is it wasnt me! Today, the weapons of force have improved, yet all the more they take whatever they want, and give only when it serves their purpose. God has the amazing ability to do things that simply do not make sense to mankind. Just as He did with Pharaoh who placed no faith in the God of Israel. But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. Grace be with you. Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife? He does this for obvious reasons. WebGod will never set man's will aside and use him for a good purpose without his being willing to be used. I am not a rising star in any field, industry, or arena. I believe that t he Lord is here suggesting that the eternal torment that unbelievers will experience will be on a scale from more tolerable to less tolerable. But if anyone says to you, This is meat sacrificed to idols, do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience sake; I mean not your own conscience, but the other mans; for why is my freedom judged by anothers conscience? In those moments we often feel alone in the chaos of circumstances as life tumbles in around us. Summary Habakkuk 1:5, Look among the nations and watch Be utterly astounded! Often in the confusion of life, we cant see the ends, much less the means God intends for us. Because God created all He can use anything in creation. God is not the author of sin, but He can use sinful men to attain an objective. When you find yourself in a tight spot and you cant see any way of deliverance, have faith in God, obey His Word, and wait for the salvation of the Lord. Guiding our world whether we are able to see it or not. God uses pathetic people for his glorious purposes to show his superior power. Do not lament your insufficiency. God sees. 6:10). A most astonishing way of fulfilling that prophesy. If God did the miracles without Moses, amazing things would have happened, but the people would not have known what was going on or what to do. We see the same thing after the Israelites cross the Red Sea and are attacked by the Amalekites (Ex. WebGod Can Use Unbelievers part 1: Cyrus 1. Training for Preachers and Teachers of God's Word, Want to know what an RSS feed is and how it works? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? God will use it even if you do not understand how. He even turns wicked hearts to serve his Sovereign purpose. God knew that Pharaoh would change his mind about letting the people of Israel go and that he would pursue them to bring them back to Egypt. He could have just caused them to drop dead. even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. To put the matter that way raises several other questions: Was Judas predestined by God to betray Jesus? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife? God is unimpressed by our collection of readers, likes, retweets, friends, connections, or admirers. But we can find hope in knowing that God is in control, He works all things for our God, and no suffering we face know will even be able to cast a shadow on the glory we will receive in Heaven. The repentant show Gods unmerited grace to undeserving sinners, and reveal the merciful blessing and goodness of God. Though absolutely sovereign, all knowing, all wise, and everywhere present, God uses sinners to accomplish His will. Amen. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. The Lord even tells Moses to do it, divide it! God doesnt need men, but God chooses to use men at times to accomplish His sovereign will. In fact, in one place in scripture, God said that what He was doing could not be understood even if He explained it. Nothing that happened to Jesus that night or later on Good Friday made sense when it happened. For this reason God purposefully led the wondering multitude to a place where there was no possible way of escape from Pharaoh and his army, humanly speaking. But our God is mightier than any office or country. The thing he values the most is dragging him down to eternal damnation. 1 John 5:14. This could be the begging of a time of great growth for the church. We know from the sowing and reaping principle that t here will be degrees of torment in the lake of fire. It doesnt mean everything will also go perfectly or the way we hope. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. Gods covenant warned from the beginning that if Israel fell into sin God would use a foreign heathen nation to bring judgment upon them. Even those who dont believe and even speak against. They had fast horses and were more fierce (more alert, fierce, and sharp) than the hungry wolves that come out to hunt in the evening. They scoff at kings, And princes are scorned by them. No buildings, streets, or hospitals have been named in honor of me. Gods Ability To Use Unlikely People Even Unbelievers. B) We entrust our lives to the God who cares for us. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. But if anyone says to you, This is meat sacrificed to idols, do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience sake; I mean not your own conscience, but the other mans; for why is my freedom judged by anothers conscience? Nothing will ever be able to affect Gods will. It is not our responsibility to determine how God will use us, but it is our responsibility to be faithful to obey the Word of God. In spite of all this they still sinnedAnd did not believe in His wonderful works. So through his death, he can have everlasting life on earth. But now, the grief of the Egyptians had subsided and was replaced with anger and regret. Fifth, and the point I want to focus on, is that the Lord tells Moses, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land. I find this very interesting and encouraging. Lest he misunderstand, I also told him that going to Calvary Memorial Church cannot save anyoneor help save anyone. His plan in doing so was to bless all people. He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. From the earliest days of Jesus life we find the Jewish leaders conspiring against him. In heaven, each mans praise will come to him from God, and God will be glorified for sovereignly using sinners for His good purposes (I Cor. So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. WebGod was about to turn to the Gentiles as He judged Israel as a nation for her unbelief. And Jesus said, For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind. Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, We are not blind too, are we? Jesus said to them, If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, We see, your sin remains. He uses believers and unbelievers. All of these people are unlikely choices to be used by God since they didnt truly know or believe in Him. Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? Here are five specific prophecies that were fulfilled when Judas betrayed Jesus: Psalm 41:9Close friend will betray Christ (see John 13:18). But before his salvation took place God was still using Him. Moses give the Israelites specific instruction and visible representation from the invisible God. Do not begrudge your weakness. but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. The coming of Messiah was unexpected. God could have had the earth swallow up the Amalekites. Then the Lord heard the sound of your words, and He was angry and took an oath, saying, Not one of these men, this evil generation, shall see the good land which I swore to give your fathers. When we do that we become His instruments to accomplish His sovereign will. And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Unbelievers Are blinded by the God of this world 2 Corinthians 4:4 Verse Concepts Judas didnt know itand doesnt get any credit for itbut his dastardly deed actually fulfilled predictions given by the Holy Spirit hundreds of years before he was born. God was rejecting their national privilege, and turning to the Gentiles to populate his Covenant Nation on Earth. Even Jesus cannot save a man who claims his sin is not really sinful. God uses pathetic people for his glorious purposes to show his superior power. God doesnt need men, but God chooses to use men at times to accomplish His sovereign will. These lessons simply teach us that God can take that which is evil and use it for his own good purposes. C) God uses all eventsgood and badto accomplish his purposes. Unbelievers Are blinded by the God of this world 2 Corinthians 4:4 Verse Concepts Wisdom didnt ensure obedience. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask Romans 8:28 says, For those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. All things includes both good and bad things. Unbelievers Are blinded by the God of this world 2 Corinthians 4:4 Verse Concepts Here are the two great texts to keep in mind regarding Gods providence and our own personal experience: The first is the famous statement by Joseph to his brothers in Genesis 50:20, You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good. The second comes from the familiar words of Romans 8:28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. These verses teach us that God is able to take the worst things that happen in life and turn them for our good and his glory. God could by-pass us and do everything himself, but He does not. At times, God enlisted non-believers to help His people through the ages. Peter didnt see it, he only saw the treachery of Judas. Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys; turn tomorrow and set out to the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea.. Do not begrudge your weakness. But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it. Holman Old Testament Commentary: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah by Trent Butler. First, the people of Israel were for the most part leaderless. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask In fact, in one place in scripture, God said that what He was doing could not be understood even if He explained it. The book of proverbs also gives us insight into this. Which is why they completely missed the Messiah when they stood right beside Him. In the beginning Satan challenged Gods right to rule. It will be a most terrible judgment. Jesus says much the same thing in his famous prayer just before Judas arrives: None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that the Scripture would be fulfilled (John17:12b). A man who lived in a time in which only Jews served the one true God. Nothing is ever left to chance with God. The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him.

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