Christians all over the world are looking for their coming King – the Lord Jesus Christ. His return is the next event on God’s timetable. That’s it! The King is coming (Zech. 14:9; Rev. 19:11-14. Be ready! How can we “be ready?” We are to do business until He comes (Lk. 19:13). We are to be busy using our divine operating assets (our spiritual gifts) doing our work of faith among the body of Christ – the church. By this process we will fulfill our divine destiny. We are to steadily grow to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves (Deut. 6:4; Gal. 5:14). We are to put our total confidence in God (Prov. 3:5-6). We are to learn to trust the Giver of the blessings and not the blessings themselves (2 Cor. 5:7). As long as we have the Giver, we can never lose the blessings.
As we continue to ponder the wealth of God’s Word, we must recognize one overwhelming truth. There are no accidents with God. He does all things according to His will in the armies of heaven (the angelic realm) and among the inhabitants of the earth (the human realm). No one can prevent Him from accomplishing His will, and no one can understand everything connected with His will (Dan. 4:34–35). “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” (Rev. 4:11). Everything that is, is because God willed it to be. Nothing exists outside of His sovereign will and purpose….. nothing. God has a reason for every angel, human being, plant, animal, planet, star, everything and everyone, saved or lost, good or evil, every soul from every nation, tribe, and tongue. God gives life for a reason, and He takes it for a reason. Nothing happens in this universe by chance. Nothing! There has never been nor will there be a wasted happening or a wasted life – never!
If we can properly orient ourselves to where we are in history, we stand a far better chance of being motivated to live for Christ effectively. First, we must ask and answer the question of why God allows evil to exist. If God is a God of love – and He is – and God is all powerful – and He is, then why should a loving, all-powerful God allow evil to exist? Is He powerful enough to stop it if He chooses to? Yes! Then why doesn’t’ He?
Another very deep question to ask is how can an infinite, all-powerful, and sovereign God persuade the entire world of free moral human beings to do what He desires – to carry out His sovereign purpose? Did God create Satan, the sinister minister of evil? Yes! Did He create Satan for a purpose? Obviously! Does God use Satan in order to fulfill His ultimate will? Yes!
Plug into an interesting conversation between God and Satan concerning Job (Job 1:6-12). There was a day when the sons of God (angels) came to present themselves before the Lord (Jehovah) and Satan also came among them. Satan is the wisest, most beautiful creature (angel) that God ever created. And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” This is not a question asked for an answer. An all-knowing God always knew the answer. This is what is called a pedagogical question – a question designed to teach. Teach who? Teach us! Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” The next line is one of the most important in the entire Bible. The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”
These words should shout to us! Who brought Job into the conversation? Satan? Or God? Did Satan say, “You know God, I have been thinking about good ole Job. I think I’m going to rough him up a bit. What do you think of that?” No! God brought Job into the cross hairs. Who is sovereign here? Is it Satan or is it God? Is Satan free to run amuck in this universe? No! Satan is the monkey on the end of the string and God is the organ grinder. Satan is but a creature. Wise, absolutely! Beautiful, stunningly! Powerful, yes! But still a creature. He is not all-knowing, all-powerful, and everywhere present. God limits his movements.
Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear you for no reason? He obeys you because you bless him tremendously. If you took the blessing away, he would curse you to your face.” Again, very important words. Do not miss them. And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” Woah! Who is in control? Who has the ultimate power? God! Fast forward to the words of Jesus Christ to Peter and catch this glimpse. Our Lord said, “Peter, Satan has asked for you that he may sift you as wheat” (Luke 22:31). What? I imagine Peter’s blood pressure shot out of sight. Do not miss the point! God is always in perfect control. God is the only Being in this entire universe who is not the author of evil, and yet can use evil for His ultimate purpose. God is the great genius of all of human history. Would you agree? Stay safe and stay tuned.