FORGIVE GOD! (Part 4)

Dearly Beloved,
FORGIVE GOD! (Part 4)
“Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.... For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night” (Psalm 90:2, 4 NIV).
“We know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV).
This part will discuss two important doctrines about God - the providence of God and the sovereignty of God. This will make one to better understand the ways that God deals with men, and it will determine whether God really needs man’s forgiveness or not.
It is evident from the Bible and human experience that God is faithful and effective in taking care of His creation and in guiding His people wherever they go in accordance with His purposes and plans for each person. Man and any other creature are like clay while He is the great Potter that shapes the clay to His taste. He knows all things. He has a reason for allowing anything to happen to His people. One may not know now, but, one may know later. However, it is definite that everything will be clear to us at the end of age. So, one needs not worry about challenges of life. God knows how He will handle them for us. However, if He does not handle them the way we want, we must know that He has a better (though unknown) plan for us.
Closely related to the providence of God is His sovereignty. “This doctrine teaches that God is the Lord of creation, the source of all things, who brought the world into being and who guides His creation toward a meaningful end as He intended it.” When any evil thing happens, it may be as a result of someone’s action or inaction. However, there are some evil things that beyond human reasoning. Whatever happens, one must know that God is still in control of the universe. Admittedly, this has made most people to be angry with God. If He is in control, why did He allow such evil thing to happen? But, mostly, He allows evil things for a better purpose for us and other people around us. “Joseph’s story in Genesis 37–50 is an example of the manifestation of God’s sovereignty. It shows a commendable attitude in the face of hardship, suffering and injustice.” At the end of the story, he told his brothers (who were the initial architects of his predicaments), “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20 NIV). As Christians we must be ready to take every little thing that happens to us in faith knowing that it is all part of God’s bigger and better plans for our lives. Jesus Christ was unjustly crucified while a notorious robber was released, but the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ brought about the salvation of anyone who accepts Him as personal Saviour and Lord.
If God, in His providence and sovereignty, knows the best for His creatures even when it seems that evil is prevailing, no human being ought to be angry with Him for any reason not to talk of forgiving Him for His action or inaction. To say that we should forgive God is like blaspheming. However, how should we relate with Him when it seems He has offended us by what happens to us? This will be the thrust of the concluding part of this message.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
I am going to Mozambique this week for a two-week ministry-related visit. Since I will be going to the northern part of the country to join a friend in his mission work there, I may be offline for the period. Pray with me for a successful visit especially in every place I will minister in that country. Till I come back. God bless you!