Tag: act10

God’s Nature vs. Human Nature!

Jesus is beginning to show Himself as the Messiah by performing miracles among the people. The people are starting to believe in Him for the miracles they see Him perform. Yet, Jesus does not trust the people. Notice how the Bible describes this. Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people. No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart. (John 2:23–25, NLT)

In just a couple of short years, this crowd of people in this place would cry out for the crucifixion of Jesus. Why would these people cry out for His crucifixion? Is it because Jesus would change, or is it because of what is in man’s heart? Is it because of mankind’s broken human nature? Of Jesus, the Bible says something interesting. You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (Acts 10:37–38, NLT) All Jesus ever did was go about doing good, yet the crowd turned on Him. Yes, Jesus knew what was in the heart of man. 

Have you ever been let down by someone? Perhaps you thought they were rock solid. You trusted them. Yet, something happens, and you discover another side to them that you did not expect. Such is human nature. We all have this capability. Yet not God! He can be trusted! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. There is no shadow of turning with Him. Believers, may we rejoice in an unchanging God whose character is goodness and faithfulness. While others may fail us, while we may fail others, even fail God, He is Rock Solid!

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from John 2-4.

God’s Sovereignty & Man’s Responsibility!

Yesterday’s reading and today’s reading highlight God’s sovereignty over the nations. Reading these chapters exposes us to deep theological truth. For example, Scripture makes it clear that God is ruling in men’s affairs. Is man, therefore, responsible for his actions? If God raised Babylon to chasten Judah and exile her—and they do that—but then God holds them accountable and punishes Babylon for doing it, how do we reconcile this? 

A Mysterious Relationship

Great is the mysterious relationship between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. So often, to reconcile this mystery from our massively limited point of view and fit it neatly in our small box of understanding, we deny the one to support the other. Yet the Scriptures unite God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility. Did not God harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he refused to let Israel go, yet hold Pharaoh responsible for his actions and judge him accordingly? Did not God bring Babylon against Judah and then hold Babylon responsible? 

The Stumbling Block

This does not have to be a stumbling block, though it often is. Notice what God says about Himself. 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For 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, KJV) O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? (Romans 11:33–34, KJV)

Notice what Job said of God: For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. (Job 9:32, KJV)

The sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man united are only stumbling blocks when we have a shallow view of God that fits inside our tiny box of reason. 

God Is Good

What was the testimony of those who saw Jesus on this earth? In Mark 7:37, they say that he did all things well. Acts 10:38 says that Jesus went about doing good. In Romans 8:28, we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God. The Bible says in James 1:17, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Many more verses reveal God to us—that God is good. So, can God be trusted?

The Power of Faith

What is it that pleases God? But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6, KJV) Can we trust God? Yes! Is He good? Yes! Is this trust bigger than our small perspective? Yes! Is God’s sovereignty and our responsibility a stumbling block? Not any longer! Humbling and yet comforting, isn’t it? What we can see by faith is amazing! By faith, let’s trust God and see past these stumbling blocks!

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Jeremiah 49-50.