Well, the usual it seemed... a couple of happy meal toys, some cassette tapes of some pianist I have never heard of, and a few old paperback books. Being one who loves to read I went straight for the books and discovered that the original owner of this box was probably someone who was a bit philosophical based on the titles of the books. After purging through the ones I cared less about I grabbed a few and put them in my saddle bags. (I always ride prepared... you never know when a good estate sale may appear)
Just a couple of weeks ago I discovered these free books once again and decided to read one solely based on the title. "When Bad Things Happen To Good People." Now I am in no way endorsing this book and actually discovered early on that the author's view of God differed significantly to mine. For example, there is a chapter titled "God can't do everything, but he can do some important things." ... Really?
What I understood the entire premise of this book to be saying is that bad stuff happens and there is not a thing we can do about it. So realize it, accept it, and don't blame God because he isn't perfect you know... In fact there is one sentence that reads, "Are you capable of forgiving and loving God even when you found out that He is not perfect, even when He has let you down and disappointed you by permitting bad luck and sickness and cruelty in His world, and permitting some of those things to happen to you?" Are you serious... and this book made the national bestseller list?
Our God is perfect, He is sovereign over sin and death, and He understands and is aware of what is going on down here. It isn't like one day He woke up and said, "Darn, Satan sure does a lot of horrible things down there, I certainly wish I could do something about it."
Psa 147:4-5 He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them. Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite. (nasb)
Isa 40:27-29 Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD, And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God"? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. (nasb)
Jer 32:17-20 'Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You, who shows lovingkindness to thousands, but repays the iniquity of fathers into the bosom of their children after them, O great and mighty God. The LORD of hosts is His name; great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, giving to everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds; who has set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, and even to this day both in Israel and among mankind; and You have made a name for Yourself, as at this day. (nasb)
Rom 11:32-36 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (nasb)
Isa 40:27-29 Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD, And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God"? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. (nasb)
Jer 32:17-20 'Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You, who shows lovingkindness to thousands, but repays the iniquity of fathers into the bosom of their children after them, O great and mighty God. The LORD of hosts is His name; great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, giving to everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds; who has set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, and even to this day both in Israel and among mankind; and You have made a name for Yourself, as at this day. (nasb)
Rom 11:32-36 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (nasb)
Now, in this post I am not trying to understand suffering and why it may occur. That subject we can share another time. I am here to declare that God is perfect, He is all knowing, and He is able to do all things. Nothing is too difficult for God nor does anything pass Him by. And I believe that the scriptures point that out quite clearly. So if God can handle all things, then I know that He can heal me from the pain of abuse, from the heartbreak of losing a loved one, and from the sin I cause in my own life. God wasn't surprised about Katrina, Haiti, and Chile. And God can most definitely deal justly with Satan and his minions. I find great comfort just knowing that the God who created the heavens and the earth also cares about the intricate details of my life.
Praise be to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was, and is, and is to come, amen.
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