Tuesday, April 30, 2013

God Has A Way of Working It Out

Romans 9:21 (NIV)

Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?

This is one of those verses that make me tremble and also stand in awe at the same time. For weeks now I have been thinking about the Sovereignty of God; why does God do things different that how I perceive them in my own head. Well for starters the Word of God says that I am the created of God and the he is the Creator. He is Holy and we chose disobedience in the Garden. But God…why do you do things that way?

God is not surprised by my questions; but I am definitely intrigued by his explanations or better said the outcome of situations that cause me to stand in awe and bow in reverence because there is something so deep; the riches of God’s glory that as an adult I still don’t fully understand. Why did he bring Jacob into the land of Canaan only to have him go to Egypt to survive; they had no food, why make them go to the land and them have them leave.

Why was Joseph sold, he did no wrong. The Bible says that which was meant for harm him, God used for good; to save lives, even the lives of his own family who sold him.

Why did the blessing that was “supposed” to belong to Esau go to Jacob? In four generations God gave the blessing to the younger brother when tradition said it belonged to the older. Isaac instead of Ishmael, Jacob instead of Esau, Judah instead of Reuben and Ephraim instead of Manasseh.

Go a little ahead and we see Solomon the son of the woman that David had an adulterous relationship with; I know the first son died, but why would you use this woman to carry Solomon, the man that would build the temple?

God does impart wisdom and revelation and we can follow history and see that indeed God knows best; and yet sometimes it still baffles the mind. Oh to have that kind of wisdom and insight, to know how to make correct decisions; to do as God says and not how I feel; to move through this life hearing from God and doing as he directs. I yearn to please the Potter; this clay desires to be molded and shaped in a way that pleases God. I can be all that God wants me to be, but I have to lean, bend, submit to the Potter’s wheel. He indeed has sent his Spirit; the Spirit that teaches me and guides me.

God wants us dependent on him for our own good. In the midst of our suffering and trials God is trying to make something more beautiful out of us and our circumstances; something that will bring honor to the Potter.

Moses could see the Promise Land but not enter; ouch….so much work; dealing with people who did not honor God constantly---but Moses….neither did you.

Why sickness and disease; why financial trials that cause us to cry at night. Why take my mom so quickly; why overlook me Lord I am the firstborn; why do you seem so distance Lord; why did this marriage that was to honor you fail; why does depression linger; why, why , why. The questions of men. We have more questions than time on this earth.

I choose to stand in Awe of the Potter; marvel at the outcome of his Sovereignty. There is one question that puts all these other questions in the shadow for me; why mercy and why grace. Why did you choose to die; why would you willingly go to the cross when those that you created cheered you to your death? Why in the midst of all this does Love pour out of you, for me? Why do you give me what I don’t deserve and hold back your wrath from me that I do deserve? Mercy & Grace…..I’ll stand in awe of You!

His desire is that none would perish but know Him, be redeemed and experience a full life; a life in the Potter’s hand.

God has a way of working it out, everything that you are worried about…so don’t be discouraged and don’t ever doubt, God has a way of working it out. (Lyrics God has a way) To God be the glory!

God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com

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