(71) Process Theology & Open Theism

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There are two prevalent and growing heresies relating to the undermining of the immutability of God that we should all be aware of.

Process Theology and Open Theism are kindred beliefs that begin with the fundamental thesis that reality is changing. All reality. And so, God is changing. There is an interdependance in all of reality and so God is dependant on other reality and must change in response to those other realities. God is in process, processing new situations and knowledge as they come into being.

Those who promote these beliefs say that they do not deny that God is all-powerful and sovereign and that He can ordain and control future events, He just chooses not to do so and leaves the future open to the choice of man. They say God is all-knowing but the future does not exist yet so God cannot know it yet. God, for example only knows all that can be known at the moment. So, God responds and has to change plans due to the changes in history as it unfolds.

Some of these thoughts may not seem to be that radical and it is in it’s subtle undermining of the character of God that these beliefs can be successful. It is an undermining and in many statements, an outright denial that God is in fact all-knowing of the past, present, and future as scripture clearely declares Him to be. It is a denial of the sovereignty of God and the biblical statements that He does have an immutable and eternal plan that He is working out in time. It is a denial of the infinity of God and the perfection of God. Matt Slick, serving with the Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry explains:

In Open Theism God can make mistakes because He does not know all things that will occur in the future . . . If God cannot know the future, then does it not follow logically that God is limited by time, the very thing He created? According to them, God also takes risks and adapts to the free-will choices of people. . . God can change His mind on issues depending on what He learns and what He discovers people do. Usually, God's change of mind is due to Him being surprised by something for which He didn't plan or expect. . . . My opinion is that openness is a dangerous teaching that undermines the sovereignty, majesty, infinitude, knowledge, existence, and glory of God and exalts the nature and condition of man's own free will. . . . This is absolutely and definitely a reduction in the quality, nature, and majesty of God. It is a bedrock for further heresy. And only time will tell what sort of depraved and twisted lies will come out of that fertile ground of heresy. (Excerpts from several pages at http://www.carm.org/open-theism)

Note: For a more complete and excellent study on Open Theism, please see http://www.carm.org/open-theism or the book, What Does God Know and When Does He Know It? The Current Controversy over Divine Foreknowledge by Millard Erickson


Next (72) The Immutability of God - Conclusion

(70) Apparent Change

(Note:  This post is part of a series on the immutability of God.  If your have not read the previous two posts, "What About God Repenting" and "Understanding Anthropopathisms" I encourage you to read them as they are important to understanding this post.)


 "But, don’t we see God changing His mind and actions based on man’s rebellion or repentance? Didn’t God change His mind when He told Moses He was going to destroy Israel? Didn’t God change His mind and decide not to destroy Nineveh?

When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. (Jonah 3:10 ESV)

Certainly, these look like genuine changes of God’s mind and plans. We could or course view these as anthropopathisms and to some degree, they are. But there is another principle at work in these situations in scripture also. Spiros Zodhiates explains:

Sometimes, there is a change in His purported (believed) course of action based upon man's change of heart. This does not mean that the exercise of God's sovereign will is contingent (dependant) upon man's behavior. Jehovah is not whimsical or fickle. God is consistent. He is morally bound not to change His stance if man continues to travel on an evil path. Yet, if man turns from his wicked ways, God, in His graciousness, exercises mercy in withholding judgment. Though it might appear that God's purposes had changed, according to God's perspective, nothing had changed.

Because God is omniscient, He knows how man will respond, all this is part of His eternal plan and there is in reality, in the mind and plan of God, no real change.

We look at these things and we see a change in God’s mind and action. But it is only an apparent change. Most often, when scripture says that God “relented” or “changed His mind” this is what is happening. This apparent change is actually, in keeping with what God had declared from the time of Moses in Deuteronomy. It is stated most clearly in the prophecies of Jeremiah and Joel.

"At one moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to uproot, to pull down, or to destroy it; 8if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the calamity I planned to bring on it. 9"Or at another moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to build up or to plant it; 10if it does evil in My sight by not obeying My voice, then I will think better of the good with which I had promised to bless it. (Jeremiah 18:7-10 NAU)

Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and to all the people, saying, "The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that you have heard. "Now therefore amend your ways and your deeds and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will change His mind about the misfortune which He has pronounced against you. "But as for me, behold, I am in your hands; do with me as is good and right in your sight. "Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood on yourselves, and on this city and on its inhabitants; for truly the LORD has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing."

Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and to the prophets, "No death sentence for this man! For he has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God." Then some of the elders of the land rose up and spoke to all the assembly of the people, saying, "Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and he spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, 'Thus the LORD of hosts has said, "Zion will be plowed as a field, And Jerusalem will become ruins, And the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest."' "Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Did he not fear the LORD and entreat the favor of the LORD, and the LORD changed His mind about the misfortune which He had pronounced against them? But we are committing a great evil against ourselves." (Jeremiah 26:12-19 NAU)

The day of the LORD is indeed great and very awesome, And who can endure it? "Yet even now," declares the LORD, "Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning; And rend your heart and not your garments." Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil. Who knows whether He will not turn and relent And leave a blessing behind Him, Even a grain offering and a drink offering For the LORD your God? (Joel 2:11-14 NAU)

Jonah fully understood these truths about how God operates. That is why he fled to Tarshish the first time God called Him to go to Nineveh. He knew the pronouncement of judgement was conditional and he didn’t want the Ninevites to be spared by God.

He prayed to the LORD and said, "Please LORD, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity. (Jonah 4:2 NAU)

Since it is God who changes hearts (Eze. 36:26) and gives the gifts of repentance (2 Tim. 2:54) and faith (Eph. 2:8), and because God is all-knowing and has an eternal plan for His creation, it is clear that all this takes place according to His sovereign will. God pronounces judgement contingent on man’s rebellion or repentance. Man continues to rebel and faces that judgement or he responds to God’s gift of repentance and is spared from judgement. And all of this takes place according to God’s permission and plan, according to His sovereign will. Nothing changes in God or in His plans. It only appears to be a change from man’s perspective and is expressed that way to accommodate man’s finite understanding of God as an anthropopathism.

Next: (71) Process Theology & Open Theism

(69) Understanding Anthropopathisms

"God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19)

"I am the LORD, and I do not change.

(Malachi 3:6)

“. . . there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.”

(James 1:17)

Scripture makes it very clear that God does not change or repent. Yet, it also describes God as repenting. Both cannot be true. So how do we make sense of this? We have already seen the unfortunate translation of the Hebrew word that has created confusion, but need to look further at how this word is actually used.

In most cases, when the term nacham “repented” is used of God, it reflects a common figure of speech known as anthropopathism (literally, man feelings). This is a figure of speech where God’s actions are described symbolically in terms of human emotion. Essentially, human characteristics are used to help us understand God in a way that we would otherwise not understand. It is similar to another figure of speach, anthropomorphism (man form). This is a figure of speech where God is described as having physical parts (e.g., eyes, hands, etc.) even though he is not a physical being and does not have these parts.

Anthropopathism, is a figure of speech where human feelings or emotions are ascribed to God, in order to accommodate finite man’s inability to fully understand the complex and infinite intentions, plans, and actions of God.

Because God is infinite, perfect, and holy, He cannot change His mind as this change of mind in regard to thought or action as this would involve a move from one thought to one that is better or worse. Because God’s knowledge of the past, present, and future is perfect, He cannot change His mind or plans because He comes to learn something new. Even man’s actions are fully known by God and so, God will not change His mind because of seeing man’s actions. He always knew those actions.


Next: (70)  Apparent Change

(68) What About God “Repenting?”

One of the questions that always comes up when we talk about the immutability of God regards passages in scripture that speak of God “repenting” or “relenting” of something.

Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying, "I regret [KJV= “repent”] that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following Me and has not carried out My commands." (1 Samuel 15:10-11)

If God is immutable and does not change, how do we make sense of these verses? How can God be immutable and also “repent” for doing something?

There are three main explanations for this confusing question. First, it is important to understand the Hebrew word behind the English translation. The Hebrew word used in the passages that speak of God “repenting” is nacham. This word has several meanings, including "to be sorry or grieved," "console oneself," "repent," "regret," and "be comforted." The actual meaning is determined from the context where it is used.

Unfortunately, the archaic, if not inaccurate translation of this Hebrew word in the King James Version has caused the most confusion. The KJV often translates this Hebrew word with the English word “repent” making it seam that God has recognized that something He did was wrong. But, there is actually another Hebrew word that is used in reference to repentance from sin, shub and it is never used of God. In many of the passages where nacham is used, it would be far more accurate to translate it as sorrow of grief. This only means that God is grieved by something – by man’s actions and how man has fallen into evil. God has not, does not, and cannot do anything that is not perfectly right. Therefore, God cannot repent of doing something wrong or even less than perfect.

This does not completely solve our problem. While it is clear that God never “repents” of doing something wrong, it is not clear yet if scripture is indicating that God changed His mind, intentions, or actions because of some event or due to the actions of man or some other influence.

To understand scripture when it speaks of God relenting or changing His mind, we need to understand how the Bible speaks in a way to help finite human beings make sense of an infinite God.


Next:  (69) Understanding Anthropopathisms

(67) The Immutable Future

Future shock or even moderate anxiety over the future will disappear when we have a firm understanding of the immutability of God. As we have seen, the promises of God assure that those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ have absolute assurance of a glorious future with God in Heaven that is unalterable because of God’s immutability.

In the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago . . . (Titus 1:2 NAU)

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. (Hebrews 6:18 NLT)

These verses and several others give us firm, personal confidence for the future that is rooted in the immutability of God. God said that His purpose is to save us forever and make us like Christ. In fact, according to Romans 8:29-30 this is completed before it is even started.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30 ESV)

Not only are we assured that we will spend eternity with God, but also that we will be made like Christ, free from sin and suffering. This is forever settled for every believer from before creation based on the decree and immutability of God.

But there is a negative side as well. As much as the immutability of God is a great comfort to believers, it will be a great terror to unbelievers. Those who continue to reject and rebel against Christ also have an immutable future. Those who refuse to confess and repent of their sin and turn in faith to Jesus for forgiveness and redemption will face an eternity separated from the presence of God in extreme torment in Hell.

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him. (John 3:36 NIV)

God showed the apostle John the future of all those who don’t place their faith in Christ alone for forgiveness and righteousness.

Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. (Revelation 20:14 NIV)

The immutability of God is a sobering and critical warning that God will fulfill His Word regarding judgment for sin. There’s no point in trying to deny these truths or hope that God will change His mind and give a break to any who do not accept Christ. The future is decreed and it is unalterably settled in the immutability of God.

If you have never admitted your sin and guilt before God and your inability to satisfy His righteousness and justice, turning by faith alone in Christ alone for your forgiveness and salvation, you will face the wrath of God for eternity. This is immutable.

Secure your future today. Admit that you sinned and deserve to face God’s wrath for eternity. Confess your sin to God. Then, recognize that Jesus died to pay the penalty for your sin. Put your faith in Jesus, relying 100% on what He did for you on the Cross.


Next: (68) What About God “Repenting?”

(66) Finding Peace in an Immutable God

Forty years ago, Alvin Toffler wrote the book Future Shock about how intimidating change can be. Toffler defined future shock as a personal perception that there is too much change in too short a time. He argued that science an technology were producing so much change so quickly that people would become disconnected from one another, disoriented and even overwhelmed by a world they could not keep up with. He even talked about people feeling a sense of “information overload.” Forty years latter, we can really identify with what Toffler was talking about.
On top of all the technological and scientific changes are the rapid changes in morality and social norms. Then, there is global instability and change through wars, revolutions, ethnic cleansing, economic competition and treaties. Even countries are being redefined.

Just try keeping up with all that is going on in the world in medicine, science, technology and current events, and it will make your head spin. In fact, it is impossible. And so, the world can be a pretty scary place at times. Things change at such an amazing pace that it can be downright intimidating. Where do you find peace in the midst of all this stressful change? In an immutable God!

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock. (Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV)

Peace in the most unstable, constantly changing circumstances, peace in the chaos of a rapidly changing world, perfect peace comes when we keep our minds focused on God. Why? Because God is an everlasting rock. He is stable, solid, firm. He always has been and He always will be.

Because God’s person, purposes, plans, and promises are immutable, we can have rock solid stability and confident, restful peace no matter how chaotic or confusing the world around us becomes. Peace in confusion and chaos is found by focusing on, meditating on and reminding ourselves of the glorious character of our glorious and immutable God.

So, who’s your God? Perhaps you can answer that question more accurately by evaluating your level of peace and confidence. Unrest and anxiety over the confusion of a world in chaotic flux or fear of a rapidly changing future will be present whenever there is an absence of focus on God, the perfect, infinite, immutable God of glory. And there will be an absence of peace and confidence.

So what do you do when you experience this unrest, anxiety and fear over change? Get into the Word and saturate your mind with the glories of a rock-solid, immutable God.


Next : (67) The Immutable Future

(65) Finding Stability in an Immutable God

Times change. People change. Methods change. Practices changes. Rules change. And they should. And many times they come around full circle.

People change. We’ve already discussed how we change physically over time. But people also change in beliefs and character and in many other ways. Sometimes these changes are for the good, sometimes bad, but people change.

Methods change. New technology and ways of doing things come along. Often these new methods are an improvement. Sometimes we aren’t so sure. New medical and scientific methods like artificial insemination, stem cell harvesting and cloning raise serious ethical issues. Just because we can do something due to new technology does not mean we should do it ethically or biblically. Where’s solid footing in the midst of dramatic change?

Practices change. The infant church met every day in homes. Soon, they met once a week for one long service. Latter, the church added services including Sunday School and mid-week services. Now, many churches have gone back to fewer services and meeting in homes for some of these.

Rules change. I remember when I was a child, there were a number of things that were considered wrong by the Christians I knew. One I remember was the belief that blue jeans were worldly and should not be worn by Christians. I an bewildered today (actually I always have been) as to where this idea came from. This rule is pretty much gone from Christian circles. Rules change.

We live in a world that is changing in many different ways. We live out our relationship with Christ in a Church that is changing locally and globally. It can make your head spin at times trying to make sense of the change and determine what is good change and what is bad change.

Where to we go for answers? How do we find solid footing? We turn to the timeless and unchanging principles of the scriptures.

Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.

(Psalm 119:89)

The grass withers, the flower fades,

but the word of our God will stand forever.

(Isaiah 40:8)

The Word of God never changes. People will try to tear down the value of the Word by saying it is outdated and irrelevant. But the truth is that the Word of God transcends time. The Word of God is the most relevant book there is. Man’s thinking, ideas, methods, practices and rules change. And they should. But God’s Word does not change. God’s Word remains the single unchanging standard of truth and principles to guide us in judging our thinking, ideas, methods, practices and rules. We must always go back to the scriptures. We must always ask, “What does the Bible say about this?” Because the truth and principles of the Bible never change and stand as the authoritative and governing judge over all our choices in all our methods, practices and rules.

The closer we stay to the scriptures, the more we will have stability in our standards. This does not mean our rules and practices and methods won’t change. They will change when we follow the truth and principles of scripture. But, all the while, we stand on the solid foundation of God’s Word, not on the shaky ground of popular opinion.

God’s Word is forever settled. It will stand forever. Stand, settled on the Word of God and you will have stability.

Next:  (66) Finding Peace in an Immutable God

(64) God: Immutable in His Promises

Much of the confidence and stability we find in the immutability of God’s purposes and plans is also rooted in the immutable promises of God. God’s purposes and plans are expressed in prophecies, but also in promises.

"I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. (Malachi 3:6)

In the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago . . . (Titus 1:2 NAU)

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. (Hebrews 6:18NLT)

In Malachi, God declares that the only reason why Israel has not been totally wiped out is because He is immutable. It is not because they are something special, have been so good, or in some way deserve it. Just the opposite. They are not destroyed because God made a promise that the descendants of Jacob would always be His covenant people and, because His promises are immutable, they are not destroyed.

Our hope of eternal life is also not based on our goodness, merit, or future faithfulness. Our security is based on the promises of a God “who cannot lie.” In fact, just to make it doubly secure, He added an oath to His promise. When you stand on the promises of God, you are standing on the rock-solid foundation of the immutability of God.

Ah! we love to speak about the sweet promises of God; but if we could ever suppose that one of them could be changed, we would not talk anything more about them. If I thought that the notes of the bank of England could not be cashed next week, I should decline to take them; and if I thought that God's promises would never be fulfilled—if I thought that God would see it right to alter some word in his promises—farewell Scriptures! I want immutable things: and I find that I have immutable promises when I turn to the Bible: for, "by two immutable things in which it is impossible for God to lie," he hath signed, confirmed, and sealed every promise of his.  (Charles Spurgeon)

Next: (65) Finding Stability in an Immutable God

(63) God: Immutable in His Purpose & Plans

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.

(Isaiah 46:10 NIV)

But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,

the purposes of his heart through all generations.

(Psalm 33:11 NIV)

God’s purposes and plans are unchanging. What God decreed remains the same, unchanged and unchangeable. In fact, scripture repeatedly speaks of God’s purposes and plans as existing and being initiated in eternity past. They are called His “eternal purpose.” God has set His-story in motion from before creation stating that He has made the end known from the very beginning. The purposes and plans for His-story remain exactly the same from creation to eternity future. God finishes what He starts.

This is critical if we are to have any confidence for the future. If God can change His plans then the future plans He has declared in His Word are meaningless. Prophecy becomes maybe, we’ll see. Paul could not comfort the Thessalonian believers regarding the future if God could change plans at any time. We would be left with instability, fear, uncertainty and anxiety.

But, God has a plan; a plan He has set forth from before creation. He is working that plan and He will never stop working that plan. This is a great comfort for us. It is peace, strength and confidence.

Human beings change plans, begin something and then stop, fail to plan ahead and then fail. Man changes his mind about what matters in life and in the world and what causes man should invest his energies into. This will never happen with God. We don’t have to worry about whether God will change His mind and decide to move in a different direction with a new plan.

We can find stability in the immutability of God’s plans and purpose. Rather than devising our own insignificant man-sized plans dreamed up in our futile thinking, we can join God in His God-sized, eternal, all-wise plans. Investing our lives into furthering God’s purposes and plans leads to a life of meaning, significance and stability. Don’t be blown about by the winds of change. Find rock-solid stability in the eternal, unchanging purposes and plans of God.


Next: (64) God: Immutable in His Promises

(62) God: Immutable in His Person & Perfections

"I am the LORD, and I do not change.

(Malachi 3:6)

“. . . there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.”

(James 1:17)

God does not and cannot change in His nature. He is perfect and infinite in every aspect of His being. There is no quantitative change in God. This means there will never be more of God and never less of God. There has never been a time when there was more of God or less of God and there never will be. God has not and cannot grow, God has not and cannot decay.

There is no qualitative change in God. Change implies improvement or decline in some way. But, God is perfect, He cannot become more perfect or less perfect. God is infinite. He cannot become more or less infinite or He would not be infinite in the first place.

God’s perfections or attributes are intrinsic to His essence or nature. All of God’s attributes, all that He is in His essence or nature remain exactly the same from eternity past to eternity future. God hasn’t become more or less gracious, kind, loving, merciful. He has not and will not change in any way in who He is in His character.

Arthur Pink points out,

God is immutable in His attributes. Whatever the attributes of God were before the universe was called into existence, they are precisely the same now, and will remain so forever. Necessarily so; for they are the very perfections, the essential qualities of His being. Semper idem (always the same) is written across every one of them. His power is unabated, His wisdom undiminished, His holiness unsullied. The attributes of God can no more change than deity can cease to be.

All that God is in His nature, He always has been and always will be. The God of the Old Testament is the same God as the God of the New Testament and the God of today. Any view of change in the nature of God is the result of the misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the scriptures and the true nature of God. At its foundations, the way God has dealt with His creation has, and will never change. It is always an outworking and result of the totality of His divine, unchanging nature.


Next: (63) God: Immutable in His Purpose & Plans

(61) The Immutability of God -Introduction

One thing in life is certain: Change. Of course we see it and feel in our bodies as we age and face physical deterioration. We see change all around us in nature in the changing of the seasons and global cooling over the past ten years. Oceans evaporate at a rate of about 110.736 inches each year (Descriptive Physical Oceanography by William J. Emery, Lynne D. Talley and George L. Pickard). This means a total annual evaporation from ocean of abut 96,519 cubic miles. There is a total annual global precipitation of about 137,856 cubic miles.

Nanga Parbat is the fastest growing mountain on earth and it is still growing. Standing at the extreme western end of the 1,500 mile long Himalayan Range - just beyond the deep Indus Valley, it culminates in an ice crest, 26,600 feet high. No other peak within 60 miles comes anywhere near to it's size. It's incomparable Rupal Face on the southern side is one of the greatest precipices in the world with a sheer drop of 16,404 feet.

And, "you, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; and they all will become old like a garment, 12 and like a mantle you will roll them up; like a garment they will also be changed. But you are the same, and your years will not come to an end." (Hebrews 1:10 -12 NAU)

All of creation is an incredible demonstration of God’s glory, and constant change. God created a constantly changing universe. God is the unchanging changer. In a world that is changing and even seems chaotic at times, God remains, unchanged.

A.W. Tozer points out that “The concept of a growing or developing God is not found in the Scriptures . . . In God no change is possible; in men change is impossible to escape” God is not capable of change in nature, but is constant, enduring, stable. God is never inconsistent with His nature or character. He never differs from himself or His promises. He cannot be changed by any thing or person. Whatever He was, He is, and He always will be. You can count on it.

Next:  (62) God: Immutable in His Person & Perfections

(60) Waiting for the Lord’s Direction

We have already thought about how important it is to earnestly seek God’s direction in decision making. But, what do we do when we earnestly seek to know God’s wisdom and direction for a life decision and God just seems to be silent?

Knowing God as the eternal God who has perfect timing means we earnestly seek God’s direction and then, we refuse to move ahead unless we are confident it is in fact under His direction. But most of us don’t like to wait and unfortunately, too many times, we get impatient and move ahead without God’s clear direction. This is no small error to fall into.

Failure to wait on God’s direction was the beginning of Saul’s downward spiral away from God. After Samuel anointed Saul as king of Israel he told Saul of very specific events that God would orchestrate in his life that day. Then, Saul was ordered, "Then go down before me to Gilgal. And behold, I am coming to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, until I come to you and show you what you shall do (1 Samuel 10:8)." Samuel then tells us that as Saul left Samuel, God changed his heart (1 Samuel 10:9 ).

Saul was obedient and all the things that Samuel prophesied took place that day. In the next few days, Saul led a victorious attack on the Ammonites and they prepared to retaliate against Israel. The people of Israel became very frightened because of the much larger armies of the Philistines. Saul was encamped at Gilgal waiting for Samuel to come as promised. But then he took a very wrong turn in his life. As he was waiting for Samuel, he got impatient. Instead of waiting for Samuel to come and offer the burnt offering sacrifice, he went ahead and did it on his own. And immediately, Samuel returned. Saul had been told to wait for Samuel to come, offer the burnt offering and tell him what to do. Saul got impatient waiting for direction. He disobeyed God and moved ahead on his own. Samuel rebuked him.

"You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which he commanded you. For then the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue.”  (1 Samuel 13:13-14 ESV)

Like a ton of bricks the judgement comes down. You kingdom is over.

While it may be rare that the consequences of not waiting for God’s direction will be this severe for us, the lesson is a profound and important one. When a decision is to be made or a new direction is considered in life, it is critical that we wait on God’s direction and not move without it. Don’t get impatient and believe the thoughts that you have to make a decision. If God has not given you direction, wait. “But the sale will be over!” “But the deal will be lost!” “But I will miss this opportunity!” If God doesn’t give the go ahead to move forward, stay put! If God hasn’t given you the answer yet, He has a very good reason. Wait.

But, we ask the question, “How do I get God’s direction?” Do we just sit and wait for it to miraculously pop into our heads? No, we pray. We diligently search God’s Word for principles that apply to the decision – direction God has already given. Then, we make sure we are being obedient to the direction God has already given us in His Word. We assure that we are walking in intimate fellowship with Him, keeping in step with the Holy Spirit step by step. And we wait on God to give us clarity for the specific direction we need, remembering all the while that God has a purpose in making us wait. His timing is perfect and He will give the answer at the right time.

Now, don’t misunderstand and think that this means you have to have all the answers and know exactly how everything is going to work out. It does not mean that there will be complete confidence and the absence of all doubt, worry or fear. You can know God has given His direction and still struggle with trusting God. But, don’t move unless you are sure it is at God’s direction.

Conclusion

God is eternal. He created us for eternity. So what are you living for? Are you wasting your life or investing it?

Are you stressed out by time issues? Maybe your spending time on things God hasn’t asked you to do. You have all the time you need to do all that God wants you to do.

Are you frustrated, waiting on God to speak or act? Be still and contemplate the truth that there is a God in heaven who is indeed sovereign, and who has perfect timing, every time. Wait for His deliverance. Wait for His direction.

 Next: (61) The Immutability of God -Introduction

(59) God’s Timing is Everything!

Are you unhappy with the pace of certain things? Do you wish things would happen more quickly? Are you tired of waiting for something to happen? Wait. Be still and contemplate the truth that there is a God in heaven who is indeed sovereign, and who has perfect timing, every time. God has perfect timing - we need to wait.

First, we need to wait for the Lord’s deliverance. When we face uncomfortable circumstances in life, our natural reaction is to try to change things as quickly as possible so that we don’t feel bad anymore. We will do whatever we can to remove the physical pain, financial or relationship strain, or whatever we don’t like in life. Often, we can be successful in getting out of a jam by sheer force of will and hard work. Many times we will resort to finding a simple, quick fix that doesn’t really solve the problem. Other times, we will even manipulate, deceive, or commit some other sin so we can get out from under the pain.

But, there is another, better way to respond when we face painful and challenging circumstances. Instead of becoming frantic and desperately running about tying to find the easiest way out, perhaps even falling into sin, we need to passionately seek to know God’s wisdom for the situation, and patiently wait for God’s deliverance. David understood the importance of these principles. Carefully consider his approach to tough times found in Psalm 27 and 37 and jot down your observations.

Psalm 27:11-14

Teach me Your way, O LORD,

And lead me in a level path because of my foes.

Do not deliver me over

to the desire of my adversaries,

For false witnesses have risen against me,

And such as breathe out violence.

I would have despaired unless I had believed

that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage;

Yes, wait for the LORD.

Psalm 37:4-11

Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him;

Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,

Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.

Cease from anger and forsake wrath;

Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.

For evildoers will be cut off,

But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.

Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more;

And you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there.

But the humble will inherit the land

And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.

Next: (60) Waiting for the Lord’s Deliverance

(58) All the Time You Need

Have you ever felt like you just don’t have enough time to get done all you need to do? How do you view time? Is time your enemy? Are you always trying to beat the clock? Perhaps you need to get a fresh view of the God of time.

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10 ESV)

Many of us have loved and clung to this verse for years. We have been encouraged through this verse to trust God for the outcome of our life struggles with sin and evil. These are important principles to apply from this verse. But there is something more here for us to see; a principle that can help us get victory over our stressed out lives.

You see, the context of this verse describes a world in chaos as the wicked seek to destroy the righteous and rebel against God. The statement of verse ten is an admonition to let God take care of things and not try to take responsibility for the things God must deal with. It is a call to let go of control and trying to make things happen on your own. It is a command to surrender to the sovereignty of God and His way of dealing with things as He works that plan out in time. And these principles can help us if we apply them to our daily activites.

We scurry about, trying to make things happen, sometimes quite frankly, we are really trying to force things to happen. We want it done now. We want the problem solved now. And so, we work and strive to win the battle and all the while God says, “Slow down, stop trying to make it happen yourself, let me do it my way in my time. You’re just spinning your wheels trying to make something happen that only I can make happen.”

Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. 7And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NET)

Much of our frantic activity is rooted in a lack of submission and faith. We fail to submit our wills, life circumstances, and plans to God and so we frantically run about trying to accomplish our plans, relying on our wisdom and strength. What we need to do is take all the little worries and anxieties of the day and give them to God. Let Him sort through all the things we think we need to do and show us what He wants us to do and then trust Him to guide us through the day to accomplish what He wants. This is the wisdom of Proverbs 3:5-6.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NET)

There it is. Don’t trust in or rely on your own understanding of what you need to do. Instead, in ALL your ways acknowledge – or, more literally, “know” God. We seek god for major life decisions, but we think we know what we need to do each day. We establish our goals and make our plans and get to work. And we give little thought of what God wants us to do in our daily activities. Yet, as William MacDonald explains, “Every area of our lives must be turned over to His control. We must have no will of our own, only a single pure desire to know His will and to do it.”

In The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Sid S. Buzzell points out, “This means more than guidance; it means God removes the obstacles, making a smooth path or way of life, or perhaps better, bringing one to the appointed goal.”

So here’s the remedy for a stressed out life or simply a stressed out day. First, submit your will to the will of God for your life and your day. Second, earnestly seek to know His will and follow His lead step by step through your day. Third, trust Him to accomplish what He wants done in this day.

Perhaps we are stressed out over time because we are trying to fill our lives with all kinds of activities that we want to do or we think we need to do that God hasn’t led us to do. Maybe, we just need to follow these three simple principles and realize, we have all the time we need to do all that God wants us to do. Be still and let God be God of your agenda.

Next:  (59)  God's Timing is Everything!

(57) Longview Christianity

According to Wikipedia, the original name of Longview, Texas was Earpville until men stood on a hill and looked out over the town and made the reply, "What a long view." Hence the name Longview. A prison sits on that historic hill today.

Unfortunately, too many of us never get up on the hill of God and see the long view and stay imprisoned to the consequences of short-sighted living. We live our lives for the here-and-now and our immediate gratification and so waste our lives on fleeting pleasures. We liveour lives for what we want now and even in time we end up regretting it. We need to live in God’s “longview.”

If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. (Matthew 16:25 NLT)

Living in longview means we will give our lives to God for the purposes of eternity. My human conceived purposes and plans are temporal and only impact time. God’s purposes and plans are eternal. And God wants me to engage in activities that contribute to fulfilling His eternal purposes and plans.

The first step to living in longview is to make a complete surrender of my life to God. I must surrender my plans and goals and live my life earnestly seeking to know and live out God’s plans and goals for my life. This is the only life that constitutes an invested life. When I live my way, by my plans, for my goals, I end up with a wasted life.

It’s one thing to say I am going to live to fulfill God’s purposes and plans for my life, it’s another thing altogether to do it. You see, I think many of us have made the commitment to live in longview but we never move there. We stay put on the edge of living for eternity, making short visits into longview but the majority of our time is spent living in the moment. We never fully “get it” and move into lonview and get settled into a lifestyle of living for eternity.

So, if we are going to live an invested life rather than a wasted life, we will have to choose to give our time to God for the purposes of eternity. Remember, this was the idea of Ephesians 5:15-16. Read it again.

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16making the most of your time (redeeming the time), because the days are evil. (Eph.5:15-16 NAU)

The point here is that we live in a time that is characterized by evil, short-sighted living. We need to use our minutes wisely so they are invested, not wasted. This is a conscious choice. Again, I feel I cannot overemphasize the importance of being intentional, discerning, and determined in the use of our time. Don’t just visit longview on Sundays in a church service. Move in. Make every minute count for eternity.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Next: (58) All the Time You Need

(56) Time Investment Strategies

(NOTE: This post is part of a series on the eternality of God)

There are all kinds of strategies for investing money. We are told to invest in gold “because it has never been worth zero.” We are told to invest in stocks for a good return on investment, bonds for stability. There are lots of opinions and plenty of people willing to take your money from you.

With time, there is only one sure investment. Invest your time into fulfilling God’s purposes and plans for your life. Invest your life into activities that last for eternity.

Certainly key in this investment strategy is to invest your life into leading people to know, honor, and worship God with their lives. A fundamental part of this strategy is demonstrating and declaring the glorious Christ to unbelievers.

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (Colossians 4:5 NKJ)

Again, we see the idea of being intentional and thoughtful about how we live. We are to be wise in our interactions with unbelievers. This wisdom involves discernment, skill, and an acute appreciation that time is short, our opportunity to influence them for Christ is limited.

This brings a thought to my mind. If I were representing my country as an ambassador in a foreign country, I would have to be very discerning and skilled in how I spoke to people. I would need to make sure I say the right things at the right times. I would be obligated to make sure I didn’t say anything that would be inappropriate. So, I would think about various situations and conversations that could be encountered. I would think through what I would say. I would think of ways to steer conversation toward the things my country wanted to communicate. I would think about what questions I might be asked and how I would answer them. I would think about things I could do to give people a favorable view of my country. This would be my responsibilities and if I wanted to be good at my job, I would think, plan, and envision how to be as effective as possible.

This is what it looks like to “walk in wisdom” toward unbelievers. I won’t just wait for things to happen, I will prepare for them to happen, I will plan to make them happen. I will envision how I can “buy up” (redeem) or shall I say, “snatch up” the moments I have in interaction with unbelievers to influence and impact them for Christ.

Now, this does not mean that as soon as our eyes meet I blurt out the Gospel as quickly as possible so I can say I “witnessed” to them. That is not wisdom. No, wisdom is skill, tact, discernment of how the Spirit of God is guiding you and how He is speaking to them.

And, Paul says we are to speak with grace. This means we will be gentle, kind, humble. It means we don’t have a self-righteous, condemning attitude. Yes, we speak of sin. Yes, we speak of God’s judgement and wrath against sin. Yes, we speak about eternity and the eternal torment that awaits those who refuse to repent of their sin and continue to reject Christ. But we speak from the realization that we are sinners saved only by grace. We deserve Hell. We are no better than they are.

God is an eternal God. He created time and He placed us in time for the purposes of eternity. We will invest our time wisely when we develop a keen appreciation of the truth that time is short . . . for everyone.

So let’s be skillful, prepared, practiced, intentional, and gracious in the moments we have interacting with unbelievers. Time is short. Their eternity is at stake.
 
Soli Deo Gloria!
 
Next:  (57) Longview Christianity

(55) Making a Time Investment

(Note:  this post is part of a series on the eternality of God)

Have you ever looked back on the way you’ve spent you money and been angry with yourself? Perhaps you have wished you would have used your money more wisely. Maybe you’ve looked back and realized you wasted money. Maybe you wished you would have saved and invested some. The good thing about money is we can usually earn more and even correct our prior bad habits.

This is not so easy with time. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. Whatever we do with our time is either a waste or an investment. Time is a very precious resource. Because of this, Paul challenges us to use our time very carefully.

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time (redeeming the time), because the days are evil. (Eph.5:15-16 NAU)

This short passage is packed with powerful wisdom and vital principles. The important verses that come just before these provide the context that help us understand the depths of what Paul is saying. These verses contain a strong admonition to believers. To sum it up, Paul says, “Don’t live like unbelievers, live like those who have the light from God. Because God’s light will reveal the truth, expose all sin, and judge sin.”

So, because God is going to judge sin, and because God has given us His light to discern righteousness from unrighteousness, you should, “be careful how you walk not as unwise but as wise.” Don’t live thoughtlessly, be careful, thoughtful, intentional in how you use your time. Don’t act like people who have no wisdom, take advantage of the wisdom available to you from God.

Paul continues, “making the most of your time (NAU).” Here, the KJV translates this more accurately, “redeeming the time.” The Greek word here is the word that speaks of redemption, the act of paying the price to buy something. Here, Paul is saying that we need to buy up time. But he’s not just talking about time generally. The word he uses refers to smaller segments of time. We are to buy up segments of time because the “days” are evil.

We could paraphrase Paul’s words this way, “Be careful how you spend your time in life. Don’t live thoughtlessly. Live according to the light of God and His wisdom. Snatch up moments you have to invest in righteousness because we are living in an evil world.”

How do we live in light of eternity? We live on purpose. We live intentionally. We live according to the commands and principles of God’s light found in His Word. We strive to assure that every moment counts. We strive to make sure we are living in such a way that we are living out the righteousness of Christ.

Why? Because we are living in an evil world. The influence of evil is all around us. The world is trying to squeeze us into its mold (Rom. 12:2 Phillips). Because it’s easy just to go along with the crowd and the path they are taking in life. It’s easy to get caught up in the activities that are really a waste of time if not outright sinful. It’s easy to waste your time. It takes intentional and determined effort to invest your time for eternity.

So, be careful, thoughtful, intentional, focused, and wise about how you use your most precious resource. Once its gone you can’t get it back. Don’t waste it . . . invest it!

Soli Deo Gloria

Next:  (56 )Time Investment Strategies

(54) Living In the Light of Eternity

(Note:  This post is part of a series on the Eternality of God)

As for man, his days are like grass;

As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,

And its place acknowledges it no longer.

(Psalm 103:15-16)

A flower springs up, it flourishes for a brief time, and then it is gone . . . forgotten . . . no lasting impact. Before long, the ground it was planted in will show no signs it was ever there. So is the life of man apart from Christ and investing life into eternally significant pursuits.

Man’s life is a mere micro-spec on the scale of eternity. The amazing thing is that what you and I do now, in this micro-spec we call our lives actually makes a difference for eternity. As the redeemed and regenerated, we can make a difference, and impact eternity for the glory of God. Eternity is determined in the present. Lives saved and matured in Christ to the point where they reach others for Christ will result in greater numbers to praise God in eternity.

This begs a question, “How do we live in the blink of time we have in light of the great span of eternity?” Someone has calculated how a typical life span of 70 years is spent. Here is his estimate:

What’s your reaction to this? When I think about how brief my life is and think about investing my life for eternity, and question immediately comes to mind, “How can I free up some of my precious moments from temporal, insignificant activities so I can invest more time into eternity?” I look at this chart, and I realize I have to be careful messing with the sleep time, I’m already employed in ministry, but #3! What it the world? You mean to tell me that the third biggest time consumer for the average person is watching T.V.? I sure hope that’s not true for me!

For there has already been enough time spent in doing the will of the pagans: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and lawless idolatry. (1 Peter 4:3 CSB)

See what is this verse saying? Basically, it is saying, “You’ve wasted enough time!” OK, so you may not be engaged in the activities listed in this verse, but the principle remains, don’t waste your life. Life is way to short to waste time on fruitless activity. Let’s make it our ambition that we will not spend one more purposeless, unintentionally lived, wasted moment. Let’s live with laser-like focus, assuring that every moment is purposefully invested into making an impact on eternity for the glory of God.

Soli Deo Gloria


Next:  (55) Making a Time Investment

(53) Don’t Waste Your Life

Psalm 90:1-12

Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.

Before the mountains were born

Or You gave birth to the earth and the world,

Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

You turn man back into dust

And say, "Return, O children of men."

For a thousand years in Your sight

Are like yesterday when it passes by,

Or as a watch in the night.

You have swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep;

In the morning they are like grass which sprouts anew.

In the morning it flourishes and sprouts anew;

Toward evening it fades and withers away.

For we have been consumed by Your anger

And by Your wrath we have been dismayed.

You have placed our iniquities before You,

Our secret sins in the light of Your presence.

For all our days have declined in Your fury;

We have finished our years like a sigh.

As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,

Or if due to strength, eighty years,

Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;

For soon it is gone and we fly away.

Who understands the power of Your anger

And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You?

So teach us to number our days,

That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

In this Psalm, Moses has a sharp focus on the eternality of God. He points out that God has always been the dwelling place and the place of safety for the people of God. God was around before the mountains or the earth were created. He is Eternal God.

He is above and beyond the span of man’s raising up and laying to rest, generation upon generation, while being unaffected by time himself. Man is like grass, he comes and goes. Life is short, God is eternal. And this is what is troubling Moses.

In the view of Moses, in Psalm 90, the sins of the people were before God and they were ending their brief years in sorrow, suffering the consequences of their sin and estrangement from God due to a lack of repentance and reestablishment of fellowship with God.

Moses recognizes the brevity of human life saying that it is soon over and we "fly away." Moses recognizes the tragedy to living out your days separated from the beauty of intimate fellowship with God due to unconfessed sin and rebellion. Moses recognizes the great tragedy of a wasted life. So, Moses pleads with God for help to realize the brevity of life, to realize how little time there is, and to act in humility, reverence for God, and wisdom to maintain an intimate relationship with God which will matter for eternity.

So, are you investing your life or wasting it? Consider this, every second spent doing your thing, every minute spent heading in your direction, every hour spent pursuing your plans, every day spent fulfilling your purpose is one more step in the direction of a wasted life. So give it up . . . all of it . . . every second to pursue God’s thing, God’s direction, God’s plans, God’s purpose. And you will find life . . . an invested life. Don’t waste your life!
Soli Deo Gloria


Next:  (54 )Living in the Light of Eternity

(52) The Eternality of God - Introduction

“What time is it?” “There’s just not enough time in a day!” “How am I ever going to get all this done on time?” “Your time is up.”

Man is bound by time, hampered by time, frustrated with time. If things don't happen according to our timing, we get bothered. God is above all this. God is the “One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity (Isaiah 57:15).” Moses declared, “Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. ( Psalm 90:2)”

When we speak of God being eternal, we mean that He has no beginning or end and is above all temporal limits of time. He possesses all His existence in one indivisible present and sees past and future as clearly as present.

Two names of God help us understand God’s eternality. First, God is “Yahweh.” Of course we know “Yahweh” as the unique name for God that sets Him apart from all humanly conceived gods as the one-and-only true God. But, it also is a statement of God’s eternal existence. It speaks of God’s self existence meaning that His existence is permanently or eternally within Himself. No one and no thing caused God to come into existence. Existence exists only within God. John Durham explains the meaning behind this name in The Word Biblical Commentary.

“I am being that I am being,” or “I am the Is-ing One,” that is, “the One Who Always Is.” Not conceptual being, being in the abstract, but active being, is the intent of this reply [to Moses]. It is a reply that suggests that it is inappropriate to refer to God as “was” or as “will be,” for the reality of this active existence can be suggested only by the present: “is” or “is-ing,” “Always Is,” or “Am.”

Everything that exists finds its origin in God. We exist because God exists and because God chose to give us existence. God created us. But God has no cause or origin. He is the uncaused cause and the original originator. A.W. Tozer explains:

Origin is a word that can apply only to things created. When we think of anything that has origin we are not thinking of God. God is self-existent, while all created things necessarily originated somewhere at some time. Aside from God, nothing is self-caused.

Second, God is “El Olam,” the God of eternity. This name teaches us that God rules over eternity, He is sovereign over eternity. We are governed by time, controlled by time. But, God is not governed by time but rather, He governs time. Tozer states, “God dwells in eternity but time dwells in God. He has already lived all our tomorrows as He has lived all our yesterdays.”

Your throne is established from of old;

You are from everlasting.

(Psalm 93:2 NAU)

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.

(Psalm 145:13 NAU)

But the LORD is the true God;

He is the living God and the everlasting King.

At His wrath the earth quakes,

And the nations cannot endure His indignation.

(Jeremiah 10:10 NAU)

There has never been a time when God has not been on His throne, ruling over His creation as King! You may feel like God has taken a break, but your feelings lie, your circumstances lie.

The eternal God is a dwelling place,

And underneath are the everlasting arms.

(Deuteronomy 33:27)

Trust in the LORD forever,

For in GOD the LORD,

we have an everlasting Rock.

(Isaiah 26:4)

God was, is, and always will be governing and orchestrating His-story to fulfill His “eternal purpose (Eph. 3:11)” according to His perfect plan for His glory.

Your name, O LORD, is everlasting,

Your remembrance, O LORD, throughout all generations.

(Psalm 135:13 NAU)

God is eternally and thoroughly committed to the glory of His name. That’s His agenda for time . . . for your life . . . your day. What’s on your agenda? What are you doing today?

Soli Deo Gloria

Next:  (53) Don’t Waste Your Life

(51) Who is YOUR God?

We end our meditation on the infinite glory of God with a challenge. It is a question we all must honestly answer. But, we must not give a hasty answer or we may be giving an answer that only comes from our heads, and not from our hearts. This question is not meant to be a question of your theology, but of your true heart beliefs, the beliefs that govern your thinking, attitudes, emotions, actions, and view of life.

So I challenge you, search your heart . . . evaluate your life . . . consider your reactions to life’s troubles, disappointments and pain. And, from the reality of your heart, answer the question,

“Who is YOUR God?”

Who is YOUR God . . . When life seems out of CONTROL?

When things seem out of control, there is a God in heaven who is sovereign over all.

Who’s YOUR God?


Who is YOUR God . . . When life seems IMPOSSIBLE?

When there's no way it can happen, there is a God who is limitless in power.

Who’s YOUR God?

Who is YOUR God . . . When you don't know what to DO?

When you don't know what to do, there is a God who is limitless in knowledge & wisdom.

Who’s YOUR God?


Who is YOUR God . . . When you feel like you're all ALONE?

When you feel like you're all alone, there is a God who is everywhere.

Who’s YOUR God?


Who is YOUR God . . . When you can’t see the end and TIME is working against you?

When you can’t see the end and time is working against you, there is a God who is the creator of time.

Who’s YOUR God?


Who is YOUR God . . . When you feel like you've BLOWN IT one too many times?

When you feel like you've blown it one too many times, there is a God who is infinite in mercy to those who come humbly to Him for forgiveness.

Who’s YOUR God?

Are you overwhelmed by the glory of God? Realize the truth that you haven’t barely touched the surface of the vast sea of God’s glory. There is so much more to discover! But for now, would you pause and make the following commitment to your glorious, infinite God.

My Commitment:

Infinite God, source of all creation, you are the one who spoke the universe into existence. Nothing is too big for you. No problem is above your power. No complexity is above your knowledge & wisdom. No place hides your presence. No sin is above your grace & mercy. No chaos is above your control & care. You are a big God and I will put my confidence in you.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Next: (52) The Eternality of God - Introduction

(50) Who is Like Our God?

We have seen a beautiful celebration of our infinite God in Psalm 145. Now we turn our attention to a series of penetrating questions in Isaiah 40 that can all be summed up under the question, “Who is great like our God?” Again, I challenge you to read slowly and thoughtfully. Consider the questions and statements carefully and think about what they say about the greatness of our God. But first, take a moment to pray and ask God to bring His Word alive to you as you read.

Isaiah 40:12-31 (NLT)

Who else has held the oceans in his hand?

Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers?

Who else knows the weight of the earth

or has weighed out the mountains and the hills?

Who is able to advise the Spirit of the LORD?

Who knows enough to be his teacher or counselor?

Has the LORD ever needed anyone's advice?

Does he need instruction about what is good or what is best?

No, for all the nations of the world are nothing in comparison with him.

They are but a drop in the bucket, dust on the scales.

He picks up the islands as though they had no weight at all.

All Lebanon's forests do not contain sufficient fuel

to consume a sacrifice large enough to honor him.

All Lebanon's sacrificial animals

would not make an offering worthy of our God.

The nations of the world are as nothing to him.

In his eyes they are less than nothing

mere emptiness and froth.

To whom, then, can we compare God?

What image might we find to resemble him?

Can he be compared to an idol formed in a mold, overlaid with gold,

and decorated with silver chains?

Or is a poor person's wooden idol better?

Can God be compared to an idol

that must be placed on a stand so it won't fall down?

Have you never heard or understood?

Are you deaf to the words of God

the words he gave before the world began?

Are you so ignorant?

It is God who sits above the circle of the earth.

The people below must seem to him like grasshoppers!

He is the one who spreads out the heavens like a curtain

and makes his tent from them.

He judges the great people of the world

and brings them all to nothing.

They hardly get started, barely taking root,

when he blows on them and their work withers.

The wind carries them off like straw.

"To whom will you compare me?

Who is my equal?" asks the Holy One.

Look up into the heavens.

Who created all the stars?

He brings them out one after another, calling each by its name.

And he counts them to see that none are lost or have strayed away.

O Israel, how can you say the LORD does not see your troubles?

How can you say God refuses to hear your case?

Have you never heard or understood?

Don't you know that the LORD is the everlasting God,

the Creator of all the earth?

He never grows faint or weary.

No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

He gives power to those who are tired and worn out;

he offers strength to the weak.

Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up.

But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength.

They will fly high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary.

They will walk and not faint.

Hallelujah! What an awesome, infinitely great and glorious God! This is an incredibly powerful passage of scripture that just keeps coming at us with heart piercing challenges, demanding that we answer the question, “Who is great like our God?”

If we really let the challenge of this passage reach our hearts we will be overcome with brokenness over our doubts, anxieties, and fears. For what place do these have in the life of one who has a God like this?

If you’re still overwhelmed by some problem in your life, some challenge before you, read this passage again and be overwhelmed by an infinite God who is bigger than anything you will ever face.

Soli Deo Gloria

Next:  (51) Who is YOUR God?

(49) Celebrating the Infinite God

Psalm 145 is a beautiful Psalm celebrating the infinite greatness of God. David paints a colorful word picture of our infinite God. In verse three he says that God's "greatness is unsearchable." Throughout the Psalm he describes the practical implications of Gods infinity. He speaks of God's greatness, majesty, power, abundant goodness, righteousness, grace, mercy, patience, loving-kindness, goodness, and provision. He describes the works of God as mighty, wonderful, awesome, and kind. As you read, think about this question: “Why is God so great?” Let me encourage you to write the answers on a piece of paper as you read this Psalm.

Psalm 145

I will extol You, my God, O King,

And I will bless Your name forever and ever.

Every day I will bless You,

And I will praise Your name forever and ever.

Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised,

And His greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall praise Your works to another,

And shall declare Your mighty acts.

On the glorious splendor of Your majesty

And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.

Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts,

And I will tell of Your greatness.

They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness

And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.

The LORD is gracious and merciful; Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.

The LORD is good to all, And His mercies are over all His works.

All Your works shall give thanks to You, O LORD,

And Your godly ones shall bless You.

They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom

And talk of Your power;

To make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts

And the glory of the majesty of Your kingdom.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.

The LORD sustains all who fall

And raises up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look to You,

And You give them their food in due time.

You open Your hand

And satisfy the desire of every living thing.

The LORD is righteous in all His ways

And kind in all His deeds.

The LORD is near to all who call upon Him,

To all who call upon Him in truth.

He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;

He will also hear their cry and will save them.

The LORD keeps all who love Him,

But all the wicked He will destroy.

My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD,

And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.

What an incredible portrait of our infinite God. This Psalm mentions so many aspects of God's character and we must keep in mind that the infinite nature of God is in David's heart. While he tries to find words to describe the greatness of God, he says that God's greatness is in reality unsearchable. As we consider the various characteristics of God's nature, we must realize that we too can barely begin to conceive the glory and magnitude of His character. Mortal man can only begin to understand the infinite nature of God's love, grace, mercy, power, and glory.

Are you overwhelmed by the glory of God? Are you overwhelmed at times by God's love, grace, and mercy? Meditate for a moment on the truth that you haven't barely touched the surface of the vast sea of any of these attributes!

Sometimes our troubles can seem so big. They can seem overwhelming. When I am overwhelmed by circumstances, it is an indication that I need to meditate on the infinite greatness of God and be overwhelmed with Him. As we do this, our troubles will become less overwhelming as we realize that we have a God who is far more awesome than any trouble we will ever face. Even if your problems grow bigger, they can never grow bigger than God.

How great is YOUR God?

Soli Deo Gloria!
Next:  (50)  Who is Like Our God?

(48) King David's God

King David had an appreciation for the glorious, infinite greatness of God. Meditate and worship through this beautiful declaration of praise to our infinitely great God.

So David blessed the LORD in the sight of all the assembly; and David said, "Blessed are You, O LORD God of Israel our father, forever and ever.

"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. "Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. "Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name. (1 Chronicles 29:10-13 NAU)

David begins by blessing Jehovah. The word “bless” here is connected to kneeling in honor and reverence. He declared that Jehovah is worthy of reverence and praise forever and ever. God is worthy of this worship because He is the possessor and source of all greatness, power, glory, victory, majesty, yes, in fact, everything in all the universe! And, God rules. He exercises authority over all creation. In fact, no one has a spark of power or energy, or authority that has not been given by God. Realizing all this, David is humbled, gives thanks and praises his glorious God.

"But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given You. "For we are sojourners before You, and tenants, as all our fathers were; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope. "O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build You a house for Your holy name, it is from Your hand, and all is Yours. "Since I know, O my God, that You try the heart and delight in uprightness, I, in the integrity of my heart, have willingly offered all these things; so now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here, make their offerings willingly to You. "O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, our fathers, preserve this forever in the intentions of the heart of Your people, and direct their heart to You.  (1 Chronicles 29:14-18 NAU)

David is overwhelmed because the infinitely great God who owns and controls everything and needs nothing, has chosen to give him the privilege of honoring Him. He is overcome by the fact that God has given him the opportunity to serve and lead others to worship the true King of Glory.

When we come to see the infinite greatness, majesty, and glory of God, it is overwhelming. And then, when we realize that this overwhelmingly great God chooses to have a relationship with us and receive service and worship from us, it becomes too much to bear. The honor, the privilege of a personal relationship with this glorious, glorious God is . . . . . words cannot express it . . . to think that I, wicked, ungrateful, sinful . . . that I can have a personal relationship with this glorious God just cuts me to the core of my heart. I find it hard to express how overcome I am that I . . . me . . . I am not just allowed, but invited . . . encouraged . . . welcomed . . . wooed . . . into personal relationship with God. How can words capture this?

And then, to think that God would want me to serve Him and worship Him. Who am I to serve and worship the God of glory? May my life be consumed with delighting in the glory of this infinitely glorious God. May my life be consumed with leading others to be overwhelmed and filled with passion to delight in, worship, and serve our infinitely glorious God.

Next:  (49)  Celebrating the Infinite God

(47) The Infinitude of God - Pt. 2

So how does scripture describe the infinite greatness of God? Let’s begin with a sampling of verses that describe God’s greatness. Read them slowly and thoughtfully. Allow the greatness of your God to envelope and overwhelm you.

Look, God is exalted beyond what we can understand. His years are without number. (Job 36:26 NLT )

His great works are too marvelous to understand. He performs miracles without number. (Job 9:10 NLT)

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For Who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (Rom. 11:33-36 NAU)

Have you never heard or understood? Don't you know that the LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. (Isaiah 40:28 NLT)

He does great and unsearchable things, marvelous things without number. (Job 5:9 NET)

But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built! (1 Kings 8:27 NAU)

'O Lord GOD, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand; for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as Yours? (Deuteronomy 3:24 NAU)

"Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Your lovingkindness, just as You also have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now." (Numbers 14:19 NAU)

Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out one after another, calling each by its name. And he counts them to see that none are lost or have strayed away. (Isaiah 40:26 NAU)

In these verses we see that God’s years, miracles, knowledge, wisdom, power, strength, and authority are without limit. They tell us that God is exalted beyond what we can understand. His works are great and too marvelous to understand. This is the infinite God of glory. Is He your God?

The people of Israel got a view of God’s infinite greatness when they were delivered from Egypt. In the Song of Moses, the victory song the people sang after crossing through the Red Sea, God is worshiped for the abundance of His majesty or, His unlimited majesty (Exodus 15:7). This is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Is He your God?

When asked, “Is He your God?” it is easy for us to answer affirmatively. Of course we give mental agreement that He is God. Of course we claim Him as our God. But perhaps we are far too quick to answer. Perhaps we need to put the question another way. Is this infinite God your God? Do you really view God this way? Do you have an awestruck, overwhelming, breath-taking view of the infinite greatness of God? Perhaps our view of life, our attitudes, thinking, and actions best answer these questions. So, slow down. Evaluate your life, question your attitudes and thinking. Scrutinize your actions. Does your life demonstrate a view of an infinitely great God? Do you have confident faith in the infinitely great God of glory?

Think about it!

Next:  (48) King David’s God

(46) The Infinitude of God - Pt. 1

What does it mean when we talk about the infinitude of God . . . What does it mean when we talk about God being infinite? We are speaking about how big God is, how great God is.

Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. (Psalm 145:3 NLT)

When we talk about the infinite nature of God, we mean that He has no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude of any kind. He is immeasurably great . . . indefinitely or exceedingly great . . . unlimited or unmeasurable in extent of space, duration of time . . . . He is unbounded, unlimited and endless.

As we set out to consider the infinitude of God, we must first consider a question: Can finite beings who measure everything they experience truly conceive of infinity? Clearly, it is a challenge! Here is God’s pointed question, "To whom would you liken Me And make Me equal and compare Me, That we would be alike (Isaiah 46:5 NAU)?” A. W. Tozer explains:

God dwells in a mode of being totally beyond us and wholly above us and infinitely removed from us so when we think about God we are trying to think about someone unlike anything we know. God says, Who am I like? or to whom will you compare me? The answer being, nobody; nobody's like God, nothing's like God. God is like Himself. We attempt to conceive of a mode of being with which we are completely unfamiliar; not merely somewhat unfamiliar, but completely unfamiliar.

The God of glory is limitless and measureless. All of God's attributes [all that is a part of God’s nature] are limitless and measureless. Not only is God limitless, but he cannot be limited. All existence can trace its source back to God, therefore God exceeds the sum of all existence.

Here is an amazing truth to consider: As Scientists are able to explore deeper and deeper into the minute particles of the atom and farther and farther into the great expanse of the heavens, they continue to discover that there is more to be discovered. Could God have created an infinite world? This is a curious question to consider. But one thing is clear, at least as far as man will ever understand it, the universe is infinite. And God created all of it with the simple command of His word.

So, how big is YOUR God? What do your doubts, fears, discouragement, and worries say about how big your God is? Let’s get to know the infinite God of glory!
 
Soli Deo Gloria
 
Next:  (47)  The Infinitude of God - Pt. 2

(45) How to Study the Character of God

We turn our hearts now to the truth of God’s Word as it reveals His character. This is at the same time an intellectual and a Spiritual exercise. Paul admonished Timothy, “Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything (2 Timothy 2:7 ESV).” Notice, he tells Timothy he needs to think. We will not learn and grow without thinking. But, notice also, that he tells Timothy that the Lord will give understanding. We must study, think, and evaluate as we are guided and taught by the Spirit.

Often, this understanding of truth and the ministry of the Spirit will produce an emotional response. We may be led to joy over the greatness of God. We may be led to sorrow over our sinfulness and pride. Whatever emotion is produced, we should not think that it is something that must be controlled and avoided. In fact, emotional reaction to truth is encouraged in scripture.

If the ministry of the Word of God and the Spirit lead you to joy and praise, express it to God inwardly and outwardly. Spend some time in praise, singing songs in worship to God. “Shout for joy,” as the Psalms encourage.

If the ministry of the Word of God and the Spirit lead you to sorrow or humble brokenness, don’t fight the flow of tears, don’t resist being broken to the point of tears. This too is Biblical.

There is one more way in which the Word and the Spirit should work in us. God never intended His Word to produce only an intellectual or emotional response. To come away from God’s Word with only these responses is complete foolishness (Jesus’ words). God intends for the ministry of His Word and Spirit to produce in us a change in action.

When we are confronted in these meditations with the truth of God’s character we must not respond only emotionally. We must respond by bringing our actions in line with the character of God. We must go even beyond the exercise of application in our study to the point of implementation.

This is true worship: To recognize the truths of God, to apply them to our lives, to allow the ministry of the Holy Spirit to seal these truths to the depths of our hearts, producing the appropriate response, and then, to act according to this truth.

Each one of these meditations on the character of God has spanned several sessions in study and meditation. I would encourage you to take your time. Meditation is essential to reap the full benefits of the Word of God.

I pray that “you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of eh saints in light.” (Col. 1:9-12)
 
Soli Deo Gloria
 
Next: (46)  The Infinitude of God