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 | | From: | Peter G. Chase | | Subject: | DN Resting in God's Sovereignty 1/15/2005 | | Date: | Sat, 15 Jan 2005 21:19:49 GMT |
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 | DRAWING NEAR
January 15
Resting in God's Sovereignty
God made known the mystery of His will "according to His kind
intention which He purposed in [Christ] with a view to an
administration suitable to the fulness of the times, that is,
the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens
and things upon the earth" (Eph. 1:9-10).
God is intimately involved in the flow of human history and is
directing its course toward a specific, predetermined climax.
For centuries men of various philosophical schools have debated the
cause, course, and climax of human history. Some deny God and
therefore deny any divine involvement in history. Others believe that
God set everything in motion, then withdrew to let it progress on its
own. Still others believe that God is intimately involved in the flow
of human history and is directing its course toward a specific,
predetermined climax.
In Ephesians 1:9-10 Paul settles that debate by reminding us that
Jesus Himself is the goal of human history. In Him all things will be
summed up--all human history will be resolved and united to the
Father through the work of the Son.
As Paul said elsewhere, "It was the Father's good pleasure for all
the fulness [of deity] to dwell in [Christ], and through Him to
reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood
of His cross" (Col. 1:19-20). The culmination of Christ's reconciling
work will come during His millennial kingdom (Rev. 20). Following
that, He will usher in the eternal state with a new heaven and earth
(Rev. 21).
Despite the political uncertainty and military unrest in the world
today, be assured that God is in control. He governs the world (Isa.
40:22-24), the nations (Isa. 40:15- 17), and individuals as well
(Prov. 16:9). God's timetable is right on schedule. Nothing takes Him
by surprise and nothing thwarts His purposes. Ultimately He will
vanquish evil and make everything right in Christ.
Suggestions for Prayer:
1. Thank God for the wisdom and insight He gives you to see beyond
your temporal circumstances to His eternal purposes. 2. Live today
with that perspective in mind.
For Further Study:
Read Revelation 20 1. What happens to Satan prior to the millennial
kingdom? 2. How does Satan meet his final doom? 3. What happens at
the great white throne judgment?
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
God is always on time. He is never too early or late, but He is
always right on time. Sometimes He doesn't run on our clock ,
but nevertheless His timing is always right.
2 Samuel 22: (NKJV)
31 As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
32 For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our
God?
33 God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect.
Deuteronomy 32:
3 For I proclaim the name of the LORD: Ascribe greatness to our God.
4 He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice,
A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.
---
And speaking of time and history, "Jesus Himself is the goal of human
history. In Him all things will be summed up--all human history will
be resolved and united to the Father through the work of the Son."
(quoting from above).
Revelation 19:10
And I [John] fell at his [an angel's] feet to worship him. But he
said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant,
and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!
For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
The testimony of Jesus is the whole point of prophecy. Prophecy is
designed to reveal the Lord Jesus. All the prophetic themes are to be
studied with care, but never in such a way as to obscure the fact of
the centrality of Jesus Christ.
~~~
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www2.oneplace.com/Ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
letters@gty.org
NOTE for those of you reading via newsgroups: If you wish to reach
me, please contact me via e-mail for quickest results.
In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
http://www.gty.org/Gospel
http://www.gty.org/
http://www.nwbible.org/
To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
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