The Providence of God and 9/11: Personal and National Remembrance

yThe Providence of God and 9/11

Introduction

"Shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?" (Amos 3:6). Shocking and sobering words from scripture on this day. People will squabble over how God accomplishes his will, the means or agents involved, or even use terms such as "secondary causation."  In the end God is Sovereign and is working out his perfect will for the nations. How does this effect me personally? At what level do I still exercise human responsibility? Nearly seventeen years ago my life changed.  I think this can be safely said of nearly every person, family, and country on the globe. I went from being a young seminary student recently married a few months earlier and training for local church ministry to a short time later becoming an Army Chaplain preparing for deployment. I find it helpful on a day like this to remind myself as one of God's children: He has everything under His control. Please consider the following verses as an overview of God's providence.  This basic outline appears in Not By Chance by Layton Talbert on pages 18-21. I've poured through this book and even taught through it in a local church.  It is a valuable tool in encouraging believers to trust in the sovereign God of creation. I ask you as you read through these scriptural passages to be comforted.  God has everything under control.  This is how he has revealed himself on the pages of scripture.

So before you read what follows, consider the following applications (only a sampling of many):

• God was in control and had a purpose for that flat tire
• God was in control and has a purpose for governmental leaders at every level
• God was in control and has a purpose for every war our country has been involved
• God was is control and has a purpose for your job, church, friends, neighbors, etc...
• God was in control and has a purpose for the one who was church disciplined
• God was in control and has a purpose for the false teacher and wayward child

If this is too much then read the Westminster Confession of Faith (Chapter 5, On Providence) or if your of a baptist persuasion like me then read the London Baptist Confession (Chapter 5, On Providence).  I think you'll find them nearly identical regardless of your denominational flavor. But I'd prefer you comfort your heart and mind with the direct verses of scripture.

God CAN Do Anything He Says.

• "Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son." (Gen 18:14)
• "And the LORD said to Moses, Is the LORD's hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not." (Num 11:23)
• "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted" (Job 42:2)
• "The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all" (Psa 103:19)
• Other verses teaching this doctrinal and practical truth (Dan 4:17; Jer 32:17, 27; Lk 1:37; and Eph 1:11).

God WILL Do Everything He Pleases.

• "Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases" (Psa 115:3)
• "Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps." (Ps 135:6)

God CANNOT Be Thwarted in What He Purposes.

• "Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What does thou?" (Job 9:12)
• "If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him? (Job 11:10)
• "Behold, be breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening. (Job 12:14)
• "There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD." (Prov 21:30)
• "Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?" (Eccl 7:13)
• Other verses teaching this truth: (Job 42:2; Isa 14:27, 43:13; Lam 3:37)

God WILL NOT Be Thwarted in What He Pleases.

• Verses teaching this truth (Isa 46:9-10; Dan 4:35; Rev 3:7)

God Rules Providentially over "Good" AND "Bad."

• See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. (Deut 32:39)
• The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. (1 Sam 2:6)
• The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. (1 Sam 2:7)
• What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? (Job 2:10)
• Other verses teaching this helpful truth (Eccl 7:14; Isa 35:6-7; Lam 3:38; Amos 3:6)

A Righteous Response to the Sovereign Providence of God.

• But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. (Job 2:10)
• I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee....I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but not mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. (Job 42:2, 5-6).
• Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Tim 1:17)

Consider some other helpful titles on this issue

J.I. Packer. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God. Foreward by Mark Dever (IVP Books, 2012).

John Piper and Justin Taylor. Suffering and the Sovereignty of God. (Crossway, 2006).

D. A. Carson. How Long O Lord? Reflections on Suffering and Evil. (2nd Ed) (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006).

Randy Alcorn. If God is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil. (Multnomah, 2009).

Read. Study. Take comfort in God's Word. Comments encouraged. 

Are you overindulging your children? Do you give them "Vitamin N"?

 Are you overindulging your children?  Do you give them "Vitamin N"?

Our society could be dramatically changed by denying our kids the stuff they ask for.
They need to earn it, take responsibility for it, and appreciate it.
This sounds so anti-I deserve it.  Or the world owes me something.
Giving your child everything they want is not love.

Kids who live on parental handouts become Adult who live on government handouts.

Enjoy!!!

Soldiers like me did not serve for you to sit at home and not vote.

Please get out and vote.
I didn't spend close to fourteen years of my life defending the constitution and it's citizens for you to sit at home.

This is for both those in the pew and behind pulpits.
Don't be a hypocrite.  Vote conscience.  Fine.  Vote via pragmatism. Fine.  Just vote.
Don't claim God is sovereign while sitting at home.
All throughout the scriptures man is still responsible for his actions.

How many millions of professing Christians did not vote last time?  Look what the results were.
Will today's turnout be any better?

When your church has its tax exemption status taken away don't complain.  If you didn't vote don't whine about the results.

As a soldier I plead with you to get out and vote.
I got in line this morning and saw many voting.
Hope you are or were in line somewhere.  If not already by mail.

And by the way, Yes I voted this morning in person.

This is just my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

Why Did God punish Nebuchadnezzar? Is there a Lesson for Our Nation?

Why did God punish Nebuchadnezzar?  Is there a Lesson for Our Nation Today?

God did not leave the reader without a motive for his actions.  There is no question and no doubt.  Three times God tells us why he punished Nebuchadnezzar.  Of course his human pride is sin and deserving of punishment.  But why was he punished?  Notice the text of scripture from Daniel chapter four:

Verse 17, "to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men."

Verse 25, "till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whom he will."

Verse 32, "until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will." 

Again in chapter in 5:21,  "till he knew that the most high God ruleth in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will."

Did you catch the repeating patterns?  Simply put "that...may know."  There is a certain content of knowledge both in person and works which God is intent that all the earth has knowledge.  What two things?  First, God is in absolute control.  He rules as an unrivaled monarchy without democracy or reelection.  Second, He alone tears down and sets up earthly rules according to his own purposes.  He gives countries the leaders they have.  One means by which he does this (at least in our country) is through democratic elections (insert electoral college system).  God has a purpose for what he does and what he allows to happen.  Use whatever adjective you need to for defining the second part (permissive, decree, etc...).

My question is simple:  Is there a parallel for our country in this upcoming election?  Has our country failed here?  Our nation is prideful and rejects the authority of God.  I say this as a soldier who has served our country for nearly fourteen years.  I'm not just an army chair quarterback or a "if I were in charge" opinion creator.  It is saddening to see where our country is heading.  I pray for my children because of the culture they will have to live in and raise their children.

Consider our country:

Want to kill a baby?  Inconvenient?  Redefine life (even the medical folks can get on board).
Want to marry anyone?  Simply redefine marriage (even the lawyers and judges will get on board).
Want to restrain opinions?  Create politically correct speech. Sensor the other's opinion.  Punish for "hate" speech.  Relabel all opinions contrary to your own as "hate" speech.

Do you want leadership that approves or practices the above?  Your choice.  Your vote.

Our nation as whole is in trouble.  Our democratic government has produced what we have now and what or who controls the future of our country.  Just to be clear the format of government does not necessarily produce a better moral product.

I don't mean all doom and gloom but our nation is not on a good course.  Perhaps God needs to completely humble our country.  How will he do it?  What might he do?  Who will he put in charge?  Only God knows.  He will glorify himself.

Hope this helps some.

Comments of course as always encouraged.

The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible: (Beeke, Barrett, Bilkes, Smalley)

Ever wondered how some of the more popular Study Bibles handle interpretive issues in their notes?  You'd probably be surprised that it is not a novelty to acknowledge both divine sovereignty and human responsibility are both truth.  Even more important, even the editors of these Study Bibles are willing to put into published form as not having to be dogmatic (well at least not all the time).

I would like to recommend a new study Bible published in 2014 by Reformation Heritage Books.
As you would've guessed its the Reformation Heritage Study Bible (KJV translation).  It is currently my study Bible of choice.  I will hold off to my favorite feature of this study Bible till the end section.

Allow me to recommend some of its features:

From almost the first page the reader is challenged to read the scriptures "experientially."
A list of ten considerations is provided as tests for seeing whether we read our Bibles this way or not (xii).

This is followed by a lengthy introduction to the King James Version text (xiii-xix).  Quite frankly I still enjoy memorizing and studying from my KJV.  I fully understand the liberty of conscience, translation theory and a whole list of other variables for using other English translations.  I have made a choice based on where we live in farm country USA to continue using a translation that is being used in the local churches around us, is least likely to cause offense and division, and this is for me personally actually more loving to put translational liberties aside.

Well after that little digression.

Each book introduction has the standard topics of discussion: authorship, date, theme, purpose, and outline.  The introductory notes are noticeably different than other "evangelical" study Bibles in that they are remarkably conservative.  They have no qualms identifying people and their positions as "liberal."  This is a refreshing contrast to the often repeated refrain "some scholars believe..."in other more popular Study Bibles in evangelical circles.

The following is a sample of some of the study Bible notes:

Gen 1:25, "All the land creatures are made on the sixth day--this includes dinosaurs which we know from fossils existed in the past."

Jud 11:26, "A crucial number for Jephthah's argument.  This would date the exodus to the fifteenth century BC."

1 Kin 6:1, "If we assume that the 480 years to be taken literally (and there is no contextual warrant to assume otherwise), adding 480 years gives the date 1446 BC for the exodus."

1 Tim 3:1, "However, this desire must be based upon biblical grounds and not one's own subjective will."

In addition to the thousands of conservative evangelical study notes, the best feature in my opinion is the "Thoughts for Personal/Family Worship" accompanying every chapter.  As far as a daily reading and challenge is concerned these thoughts are excellent in exposing sin and focusing on repentance of sin.

Consider Exodus 10:

(p. 104) "The Bible reveals both God's total sovereignty over all things, and man's real resonsibility for his willful choices....Even if we do not understand how these fit together, we must believe them both."

(p. 1632) "We should believe the doctrine of God's sovereign predestination on the testimony of Holy Scripture.  It is not incompatible with evangelistic concern, however difficult it may seem to reconcile the two."

This study Bible also includes articles on every major doctrine of systematic theology (Trinity, Justification, Repentance, etc...).  It also includes the major creeds and confession of church history (in full, yes even all from the Larger Catechism).  There is a rather lengthy section of Christian living (which won't be to friendly to the antinomian stripe, "Worship, Fellowship, Affliction, Criticism, Serving, Leisure time, etc...".  It also includes a nicely written survey of the first twenty centuries of church history (about one page per century).

I wish all was perfect but I must warn of some concerns:

1. There are no middle column cross references.  Prophecies are marked in the notes and similar concepts.  But I do find it strange that they left out a middle column full of cross references.

2. KJV English (good or bad, you decide).  It is as of today, only available in the KJV.  For those who use other English translations, this may be a road block.  For me personally, no big deal, I memorize from it anyway.

3. KJV clarity appears in the notes.  Whenever there is an archaic (think 1600s English) the notes tend (in my opinion, haven't checked them all yet), tend to modernize the KJV gloss not necessarily the underlying Greek or Hebrew term.

Overall, I highly recommend this study Bible.
Especially to those of a Reformed Covenant persuasion. 

Then again, having your soul and mind challenged with the applications for every chapter from Genesis to Revelation in my thought is worth the price.

Book Review and Recommendation: Not By Chance (Learning to Trust a Sovereign God) By Layton Talbert

Not By Chance (Learning to Trust a Sovereign God) By Layton Talbert (BJU Press: Greenville, SC), 2001.

I highly recommend this book.  I have read through the book several times as well as taught through this book in a local church to adults.  Many adults mentioned the content was a blessing and encouragement to them as well.

Expect to be thoroughly challenged with the scriptures.  Expect to have the text of scripture as the focus of attention not theological systems regardless of their popularity in evangelical circles.

Appendix E is always a challenge and good reminder to read.  It is entitled, "Salvation: Divine Determination or Human Responsibility?"  For those who have chosen to champion any one particular soteriological  (salvation) grid, don't expect to get a pat on the back.

Consider the Table of Contents below:

Ch. 1 Who is in Charge?
Ch. 2 What is Providence?
Ch. 3 The Preserving Providence of God over Man
Ch. 4 The Preserving Providence of God over Creation
Ch. 5 Governing Providence: A Case Study
Ch. 6 The Mystery of Providence
Ch. 7 The Means of Providence
Ch. 8 Silent Providence
Ch. 9 Problems of Providence
Ch. 10 Providence in the Incarnation of Christ
Ch. 11 Providence in the Passion of Christ
Ch. 12 Providence in the Church
Ch. 13 Providence and Prayer

May this book be a challenge and encouragement in your walk with Christ.  Blessings.

Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility in Salvation

Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility in Salvation

There are many verses in Scripture championed by various theological positions concerning salvation.  Consider the following texts which teach both divine sovereignty and human responsibility:

Matthew  23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem ... how often would I have gathered they children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"

John 6:37 "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and chim that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."

John 6:44 "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me odraw him: and gI will raise him up at the last day."

Acts 13:48 "And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and das many as were ordained to eternal life believed."

Acts 16:14 "And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of zThyatira, awhich worshipped God, heard us: whose bheart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul."

1 Thess 1:3-4 "Remembering gwithout ceasing hyour work of ifaith, and klabour of ilove, and lpatience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of mGod and our Father; 4 Knowing, brethren ||nbeloved, nyour election of God."

2 Thess 2:13-14 "But gwe are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, hbrethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath ifrom the beginning chosen you to salvation kthrough sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto lhe called you by our gospel, mto the obtaining of the lglory of our Lord Jesus Christ."