The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
“Consideration of the Heart”
“Know therefore this day and consider it in thy heart, that the the Lord, He is God in Heaven above and upon the earth beneath. There is none else” (Deuteronomy 39:4).
Being monotheistic involves far more than the propositional belief that one God alone exists, the God of Scripture. We must also make the matter intensely personal: “consider it in thine heart.”
Countless opportunities for such faith present themselves throughout our earthly lifetimes. How we view the world, other people, circumstances, conditions, and ourselves all fall under the purview of God alone as the providential and prevailing influence of His creation. “Thou art God alone” (Psalm 86:10).
This presents great challenge to our understanding as we seek to correlate our Lord’s working “the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” amid the innumerable appearances and events that often seem to indicate a spiritual and moral universe completely out of control (Ephesians 3:11). This is never the case for even a moment. It often appears otherwise, of course, particularly because so much of sin, wickedness, trouble, and tragedy occur that our Lord does not cause or originate. “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). How can our Heavenly Father “work all things after the counsel of His own will” when so much happens that flies in the face of His will? (Ephesians 1:11).
Interestingly, the Bible does not answer this question, either directly or tacitly. Indeed, in the best opportunity for explanation ever possible, Scripture does not record that the Lord Jesus Christ ever gathered His disciples together to say, “I will now explain to you how divine sovereignty correlates with angelic and human freedom to ultimately fulfill our Father’s purposes.” The Word of God never even raises the issue of what seems an impossible conundrum. What it does state over and over again is that the God of the Bible is so wise, so present, so righteous, so gracious, so merciful, so powerful, and so faithful to His Word that conundrums to our mind become opportunities to consider who is God with our hearts. It clearly reveals He exists and acts as the sublime coordinator of decidedly disparate realities impossible for human minds to fathom. “How unsearchable are His ways, and His judgments past finding out” (Romans 11:33).
But not for human hearts to believe. Indeed, in those times when we come to an impasse regarding ways and judgments far beyond our comprehension, an even greater illumination shines into our hearts. Namely, the winsome wonder and glorious greatness of our Lord. Certainly we need to know His ways as best we can and “with all thy getting, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7). But we need to know God Himself far more and far better. The realities about Him that lie beyond our reach tell us so much. So very much. Thus, when we ponder how our Lord does what He does, in ways of correlating all things, we waste little time seeking anything approaching more than the most primary answers. We spend much time, however, in wonder regarding who this God of Scripture must be, knowing that His character forever guides His capabilities (Psalm 119:68). Yes, He made us to know His ways with our minds, and to know Him with our hearts. Both glorious illuminations will bring us to times when we reach the limits of understanding, providing opportunity to “consider it in thine heart.”
“This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.”
(John 17:3)
Weekly Memory Verse
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye, having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.
(II Corinthians 9:8)
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