To follow the Lord is the recognise that there is no such thing as a coincidence. At any given moment, in ways unknown to us, God is at work. It is not that he is constantly having to create, for the work of creation finished on the sixth day, but he is sustaining and upholding his creation. He is continuing to be at work in the lives of his people in ways that we become conscious to as we learn and grow. But he is also at work through those whose don’t know him or who flatly reject him.
The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. (Proverbs 16:4)
This is quite a hard truth to wrap our heads around but it is a good one when it is worked into our hearts.
Consider, that God saw fit to allow the tree upon which Christ was crucified to grow. He ensured that the nails would be available. He breathed earthly life into the womb of the mothers of the Roman soldiers who would scourge him and mock him and crucify him.
None of this is to say that everything that happens is good. For in the next verse we read this:
Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished. (Proverbs 16:5)
God is also just. Those who rebel against him and attack his people will be punished. We can be assured of this.
But for us today, we can trust that God is good and at work no matter what befalls us. If his providence includes even those things necessary to bring about our salvation in Christ, then it also includes those things necessary to bring us home to Christ. In this we can rejoice. Though we may weep, we can do so knowing that one day there will be no more weeping.
Notices
Tuesday Night Prayer is back on this week at 7:30pm and we will be resuming our meetings in person. Though Zoom was beneficial for a time, it is far better in every way to gather together in person. We hope to see you there!