Loving God. Loving our neighbor.

The Glorious, if Sometimes Mysterious, Good News of God’s Sovereignty

 

Written by: Scotty Smith

Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning from ancient times, what is still to come I say, “My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” Isa. 46:9-10 (NIV)

The Lord of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand. Isa 14:24 (ESV)

Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he pleases. Psalm 115:3 (NLT)

Heavenly Father, there are days when we, the clay, presume to tell you, the quintessential Potter, how to make pottery. There are stories for which we, your characters, want to dictate to you, the perfect Author, how the plot should change.

And sometimes, in response to certain world crises, local tragedies, and personal heartaches, we, your subjects, feel the need to motivate you, our reigning and trustworthy King, into action. Forgive us Lord. You do all things well. You never promised to do all things easy.

We are so thankful you are God, and we are not, for we would make lousy lords. We are so thankful that you are the Alpha and the Omega, and every other Greek letter in between, for we are short-sighted and self-centered. We are so thankful you know the beginning and the ending, and every other moment as well. Most of the time, we can’t see beyond our own comfort.

We’ve lived long enough to be grateful you don’t answer all our prayers with a resounding “Yes!”; for, in time, your “No’s” prove to be sweeter than honey. We are relieved you don’t cater to our fancies, give into our whining, or share your throne with us–even for a nanosecond. We are thankful that you do as you please, even when your pleasure increases our displeasure.

Father, thank you for loving us with an unwavering affection and passion, even when we “kick against the goads” (Acts 26:14), get frustrated with your timing, and, in our moments of fear and confusion, question your mercy and might. We are so thankful you are God and the gospel is true, period. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ triumphant and tender name.

https://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/scottysmith/2017/10/08/the-glorious-if-sometimes-mysterious-good-news-of-gods-sovereignty/

CRPC will not be having services in our building on October 1st. The morning service should be available via livestream.