“It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.” What was Eli’s response? 1. He acknowledges that this is the Lord’s doing. 2. He does not complain or murmur. 3. He does not attempt to fight it. 4. He does not charge God of injustice or unfairness. 5. He does not try to justify himself or make excuses. Application: For Us 1. A Theoretical Calvinist 2. A Practical Calvinist (a struggling/conflicted Calvinist) 3. An Experimental Calvinist (a mature Calvinist) Conclusion: For us, we look at our God through Jesus Christ. Eli and others did not have the clear and full revelation we have. 1. Cross: Providence must be interpreted in the light of Christ’s sacrificial death for our sins — the very work that the Father sent the Son to do. In the cross, we see the heart of the Father, who spared not his own son for us. 2. Promises: Rom. 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Mt. 28:20, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 3. Presence of the Holy Spirit: we are “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” (Eph. 1:13) 4. Possess eternal life — we know our inheritance is certain and that in Christ we obtained an inheritance (Eph. 1:11).
For this reason, it is easier for us to declare with Eli, “It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to Him.”
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Dr. Mark Herzer has been the pastor of Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church (P.C.A.) in Warminster, PA since 1997. Before this, he was ordained to labor as an Assistant Pastor of Korean United Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia (1992-1995). He received his M.A.R. and Ph. D....
