Principles to Remember in Crisis: God’s immediate purposes are not always knowable

In today’s post we continue on Principles to Remember in Crisis. Today’s principle: God’s immediate purposes are not always knowable.

Recently in the first post of this series, we revealed that the Apostle Paul provided two vital steps to persevere in trials or crisis. The first step, in a world with false teachers, false belief systems, and false hope, the Apostle reminds us to stand firm in what we know. The second step is to hold fast the traditions which we have been taught or learned from the Word. We simply identified those steps as: (1) Remember key principles and (2) Obey practical steps to encourage our perseverance.

This is our fifth principle to remember.

God’s immediate purposes are not always knowable (Luke 13:1-5; John 9:1-3).

Using the story of Lazarus, Mary, Martha, and Jesus, we discussed the fact God allows circumstances for His purposes (John 11). Here’s the snag: God’s immediate purposes are not always knowable. We both understand and believe that God does have a purpose in everything. If for no other purpose, God uses circumstances to help us grow in Christlikeness (which will be discussed later). Outside of that, we do not know all the particulars in any particular situation. Throughout the Bible, we see evidence that this is true. One of the more known examples of this being the case is Job in the Book of Job. As far as we know, he never knew what was truly going on – an incredible story of conflict between God and Satan for the glory of God.

Luke, in his gospel account, explains a lesser known story in this scene between Jesus and his disciples for us:

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (John 13:1-5)

Jesus used two specific examples with His disciples: Galileans who Pilate killed and those on whom the tower of Siloam fell.

Let me provide you a third example from the life of Jesus as well. This one from the Gospel of John:

Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.” (John 9:1-3)

In this third episode, the disciples are wondering why this young man is blind.

In all three lesser known episodes and in the Book of Job, none of the folks in the midst of the struggles knew all of God’s purposes.

In other words, when in the midst significant crisis, we rest in knowing God has a purpose. In the midst of suffering, God is up to something good, consistent with His purposes.

What that means is, God does not wake up on the wrong side of the bed. God in His sovereignty does not allow tough or “bad” circumstances outside of His purposes or greater plan.

Jesus asked pointedly whether or not the Galileans who were killed by soldiers or the eighteen individuals on which the tower of Siloam fell and killed were more ungodly than others in Jerusalem. Jesus’ answer was absolutely not. Jesus also reminded every one there to check his/her personal heart.

God does not send judgment capriciously; rather, God is longsuffering to all.

Similarly, when considering the blind man with the disciples, Jesus proclaimed the reason for his infirmity was not sin, but was for the purpose of God (John 9:1-3). The idea is simple – it is impossible for us to discern exactly why anyone goes through crisis. Instead, we need to do two things: 1) Trust God and 2) Consider our own hearts to see if we are right with God.

We know the big picture. God works according to His purpose and for the good of the individual. However, we do not know the intricacies of God’s plan. Why him and not her? Why her and not him?

God never gets up on the wrong side of the bed. He isn’t grumpy. God doesn’t throw down a particular trial just because today is a bad hair day. No, it all fits God’s greater plan and purpose.

 

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