Steven A. Bush - February 14, 2021
God's Not M.I.A., Nor is His Goodness
Paul's Doxology, lifted in part from Isaiah and Job, found in Romans 11:33-36 goes like this: "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! 'Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?' 'Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?' For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen." (NIV) When trials come, when things have seemingly gone awry in our personal lives or the world around us, some errantly conclude God has departed, turned up missing, left us to fend for ourselves. But God is always in charge. His sovereign hand and providential goodness are never on hiatus. Lamentations 3:37-40 may prove instructive: "Who can command things to happen without the Lord’s permission? Does not the Most High send both calamity and good? Then why should we, mere humans, complain when we are punished for our sins? Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the LORD." (NLT) We dare not declare Him absent who is ever-present, especially in regard to His plans and purposes. The bigger question, in terms of whereabouts, is the location of our hearts.