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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
In attempting to understand God’s way of interacting in our lives, we must first accept a basic truth concerning who God is. He doesn’t always intervene or help us in the way we prefer because he doesn’t “see” things the same way we do. Yet we can still take comfort when he encourages us with, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 Jesus welcoming us into his embrace with, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Paul’s life reminds us of some of the ways God’s answers and solutions come about in ways we don’t foresee or prefer. Hardship, persecution, depravation and physical danger may very well be a part of our life experience, but it is in and through these experiences that we become conquerors in Christ; neither life nor death being able to separate us from God’s love and ultimate provision of safety, redemption and fulfillment in his presence. (Romans 8:35-39) The lives of the disciples reveal a pattern of miraculous relief and release accompanied by ever-present hardship and eventual martyrdom,(11 of the original 12 disciples being killed for their faith, John alone dying of old age.) Paul repeatedly rescued from trials and persecution only to finally be beheaded in Rome. (See Hebrews 11:35-39) Does that make any sense? Evidently it did, as they grasped the essence of what missionary Jim Elliot later expressed concerning the priorities for the Christian life. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” (See also Matthew 16:24,25)
One concept crucial to our understanding of God is that he is not and never will be accountable to us; our understanding of him often based on human perspectives and examples, which always fall short of God’s reality.1He is majestic, holy, all-mighty and sovereign – independent, superior, supreme in purpose and ability; which makes it imperative that we acknowledge our inability to grasp the infinite mind of God and the way he involves himself in our lives. In fact, scripture declares, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,…” Proverbs 25:2 (See also Isaiah 45:15) Why? Is he merely playing games with us, like a cat bouncing a mouse around for his own pleasure? No, for as Deuteronomy assures us – if we seek him we will find him – if we seek him with all our hearts. (Deuteronomy 4:29, see also Matthew 6:33 and Luke 19:10)
The reality of the situation is that, “…secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things (revealed by him) belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29 God often reveals what we are capable of understanding as we mature and grow in faith and grace, but he is under no compulsion to do so; sometimes choosing to test and stretch our faith by allowing things to occur that we don’t like or comprehend. We will not – cannot – understand God in all his glory and purpose, “As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the maker of all things.” Ecclesiastes 11:5 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways… As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8,9 Paul concluding that God’s judgments are “unsearchable”, his ways “past finding out.” Romans 11:33 Indeed, “Who knows the mind of the Lord that he may instruct (or question) him?” 1 Corinthians 2:16
Please know however that God is not indifferent to our need of answers and aid as, “…the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer,…” 1 Peter 3:12 As, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and he delivers them.” Psalm 34:7 Yet these assurances come amidst the acknowledgment that, “A righteous man may have many troubles,…” even as we are assured of deliverance. Psalm 34:19 (See also 2 Corinthians 1:3-10) A source of hope and solace found in the knowledge that, “…in all things God works for the good (Not all things are good) of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (One alternative rendering being that God works together with those who love him to bring about good.)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
1Some source material gathered from James Dobson’s book, “When God Doesn’t Make Sense”, Tyndale House Publishing
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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