God calls the shots

We recently studied a very important concept so often forgotten by Christians - that rather than us being in control of our destinies and lives, it is really Almighty God who, as we sing to children, “has the whole world in His hands.” What is not believed, or at least acknowledged in most cases is, this not only covers a Christian’s life, but literally every human being from the beginning of time to the end of time, even throughout all eternity - God calls the shots.

Paul says in 1st Corinthians 2:16: “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ” quoting Isaiah 40:13: “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counselor hath taught him?” in essence saying God is God and does as He pleases, who are we to decide His reasoning for what He does?

In Romans chapter 9, Paul reveals much of this sovereignty of God that seems to cause so much problems with the concept that God is God and will do as He pleases, asking in verse 20: “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?” Somehow, we just have trouble wrapping our minds around the concept that, like it or not, the only real input we have in our destinies is to accept or reject the gift of life He has given us by faith in Jesus and living by the principles clearly laid out in Scriptures.

We say we believe God is in charge of everything, quoting Scripture after Scripture similar to Psalms 37:23 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way” yet by the way we charge God with not knowing what He’s doing when things don’t occur as WE believe they should shows how much we truly believe (or not) that He is in charge. Remember - what’s in our hearts WILL come out of our mouths and our behavior.

What do we think Jesus meant when He said: “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Perhaps we think the translators made a mistake and the Greek here actually means “Thy kingdom come, as our will is done, in earth as yours is in heaven.”

That would fit with the thought that instead of “Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” the translators really meant this passage should be translated “Give us this day our heart’sdesire, and forgive us our debts so we can learn to forgive others - uh, that is, if, we think they deserve it.” While we’re at it perhaps we can leave out the part where we ask for help in avoiding situations that cause us problems - you know - the “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” part.

We’ve all heard jokes about it - don’t need any help there because I can fi nd all the temptation without any help. Then, of course we have to leave o◊the next clause “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever” for surely the translators made a mistake? Isn’t it supposed to be ours is the kingdom and the power and the glory? - or so we act.

I don’t mean to sound harsh, but how can we expect to show people who are searching for the love, peace, hope, grace and power to change lives through faith in Jesus Christ that our loving Father in heaven desires we demonstrate to the world when we don’t trust Him to know what’s best for us ourselves? Remember, what is demonstrated by the lives we live is what we really believe, not what comes out of our mouths.

I can tell everyone that I’m a Christian and believe and love The Lord and I’m following His will but that doesn’t make it so any more than sitting in a garage makes me a car. My actions will though.

The prophet Zechariah, when given the vision of the golden candlestick, seven lamps and two olive trees (see Zechariah chapter 4) came away with an incredible understanding of God’s abilities. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”

We could study that thought for the rest of our lives and barely scratch the surface. It’s not by any power or might or anything that man can do that gets things done - it’s all God.

Jesus tells us “And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?” (see Luke 12:25-26) We MUST trust and obey even when we don’t understand or agree with God - don’t we?

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Editor’s note: Charlie Newman is pastor of Avoca Christian Church. To contact him, e-mail pastor@ pastorcharlie.net, or write in care of The Times at [email protected] or P.O. Box 25, Pea Ridge, AR 72751.