Sometimes I think God made me a pastor because I need the weekly sermon more than anyone.
This past weekend I brought a message about God's providence. The providence of God is his completely holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing every creature and every action.1
The Lord is quite clear about this. He is in control and he is working out everything for our good and for his glory:
- "You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you. (Nehemiah 9:6 ESV)
- Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31 ESV)
- And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 ESV)
These verses point out the grandeur of God. Yes, he is that big! Yes, he is that powerful! Yes, he is that wise! These are comforting verses. But they take on a new meaning when one has to "live them."
Last night I came home to find two new scratches etched in the beautiful black paint of my 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS. I can find scratches like the paparazzi find celebrities. I know, some of you are thinking, "Get over it! It's just a car!" True, but this behemoth is four doors of hot rod cool Detroit metal. Besides, I protect my cars like the Smithsonian protects the Hope Diamond. This is not supposed to happen!
As I write this, it is two hours after the discovery. My boiling frustration has been reduced to a simmer. I am forced to reflect on what I just preached. Hmmmm . . .
Sometimes we have to rest in the truth even when we don't see it, experience it, or feel it. I'm not feeling it right now, but I still believe it: God works out everything for good!
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1 Westminster Shorter Catechism, question 11.