Orange Moon Cafe "The Enigma"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe...

 

  "The Enigma" 

 

   "God reigneth over the heathen" (Psalm 47:8).

 

    First, let us acknowledge that God's reign "over the heathen" does not mean He causes their unbelief, disobedience, and the chaos that ensues.  

 

    "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man" (James 1:13).

 

    It does mean that God is so present, involved, and wisely active in His creation that He "worketh all things after the counsel of His own will" (Ephesians 1:11).  Sin remains sin, wrong remains wrong, and the consequences of evil have effects that foster genuine harm and heartbreak.  However, God in His wisdom nevertheless fits all things into the coordination of "the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Ephesians 3:11).  In the wonder of His infinite wisdom, all will somehow be synthesised for the glory of the Lord Jesus and the fulfillment of God's design in Him.  

 

   This presents a fascinating and challenging enigma of perspective and thought in born again believers in the Lord Jesus.  We rightly feel disturbance, sadness, grief, anger, and bewilderment when "the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing" (Psalm 2:1).  The Lord Jesus wept over wayward Jerusalem and grieved over hard human hearts and cruel human hands (Luke 13:34; Matthew 23:13-37).  However, we also see an underlying and overshadowing Hand working all things according to wondrous intentions that cannot fail to be fulfilled.  Indeed, every historical moment, occurrence, and entity will serve God's eternal and infinite purpose in Christ.  Herein we rest our spirits in peace when our souls and bodies are tossed in tumult.  "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea, though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof" (Psalm 46:1-3).

 

   Some may seek an explanation of the enigma.  They will find none that fully offer an answer human minds can comprehend.  We can, however, apprehend with our hearts the assurance of our perfect Father's capability to coordinate "all things together for good" to those who love Him (Romans 8:28).  He can.  He will.  He does.  This is who He is.  And this is where we find consolation, confidence, and the conviction that strengthens us for the present challenge, and thrills us in the hope of God's ultimate purposes in Christ being perfectly fulfilled.

 

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!  For who hath known the mind of the Lord?  Or who hath been His counselor? Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto Him again? For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for||ever. Amen."

(Romans 11:33-36)

 

Memory Verse

   "Of Thine own have we given Thee."

(I Chronicles 29:14)   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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