Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Psalm 115:1-3

Comforting Truth

“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” (Rom. 11:36).

There is nothing more comforting to believers than God’s sovereignty over all things (Rom. 11:36). Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials, we believe that God has ordained our afflictions, that God overrules them, and that God will sanctify them for our good and His glory. There is nothing for which we ought to contend more earnestly than the truth of God’s rule and reign over all things, all creatures, and all their actions (Psalm 135:5-6). The Throne of God, His right to sit on that Throne, and His right to do with His own what He will is what we believe and what we preach. Let us be accused of over-emphasizing the majesty and power of the living God, but never let it be said that we underestimate His glory. Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Fear Not

Without a doubt a world-crisis is at hand, and everywhere men are alarmed. But God is not! He is never taken by surprise. It is no unexpected emergency which now confronts Him, for He is the One who “worketh all things after the counsel of His own will” (Ephesians 1:11). Hence, though the world is panic-stricken, the word to the believer is, “Fear not”! “All things” are subject to His immediate control: “all things” are moving in accord with His eternal purpose, and therefore, “all things” are “working together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” It must be so, for “of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things” (Romans 11:36). Yet how little is this realized today even by the people of God! Many suppose that He is little more than a far-distant Spectator, taking no immediate hand in the affairs of earth. It is true that man has a will, but so also has God. It is true that man is endowed with power, but God is all-powerful. It is true that, speaking generally, the material world is regulated by law, but behind that law is the law-Giver and law-Administrator. Man is but the creature. God is the Creator, and endless ages before man first saw the light “the mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6) existed, and ere the world was founded, made His plans; and being infinite in power and man only finite, His purpose and plan cannot be withstood or thwarted by the creatures of His own hands.

A.W. Pink (written in 1930)

"Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief" – Mark 9:24

I really believe that Christ is all in salvation and yet I constantly look within for evidences of salvation. I really believe that God is sovereign and yet I worry and complain. I really believe that God is the first cause of all things, yet I can harbor anger and resentment. I really desire likeness to Christ, yet I still have a desire for sin.

Why these contradictions? Because I have two natures – the nature of the first birth and the nature of the second birth. One that always believes; one that never believes. One that always sins, one that never sins. These two natures operating in my one consciousness. Hence my cry, "Lord, I believe, help Thou mine unbelief."

Pastor Todd Nibert

FAITH AND REASON

“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” (Isa.55: 8, 9). “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” (Rom.11:33). “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Prov. 3:5).

To “trust in the Lord with all thine heart” is living, saving faith. To “lean unto thine own understanding”is to be guided and directed by what the world calls “common sense.” It is to rely upon human reason; which is contrary to faith and trust “But,” says the objector, “God has given me the power to reason things out, shall I not use it?” My reply is, “The highest act of reason is to bow to the wisdom of God and be directed by His infallible Word. However, notwithstanding the words of God above; notwithstanding that God is infinite and man is finite; notwithstanding that God is the omniscient Creator and man a mere sinful creature; notwithstanding all of these things, many who profess to be followers of God are never able to humbly, quietly and graciously bow to God’s Holy Word.”

When one faces the Word of God and spiritual things, faith and human reason do not go together. They are enemies! But faith and obedience are always found together. Human reason continually asks those who love God’s Word, “If Christ died and redeemed only an elect people, why do you preach to the whole world?” Faith has a ready answer, “BECAUSE GOD SAID SO!” But human reason is never satisfied with that simple answer. Human reason only has more questions. Human reason brought Ishmael into this world, and human reason in spiritual matters, will never produce anything but Ishmaels (Gen. 16:1-3).

Though God’s thoughts, ways and judgments are “unsearchable” and “past finding out,” those who “lean unto their own understanding” never cease to search into those mysteries which are not revealed in God’s Word, those things upon which the Word of God is silent. Our Lord says, “Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Little children believe and receive the word of their parents without argument, and without being able to explain it!