Howdy!
On Thursday morning as we turn to the next set of catechism questions for this coming Lord’s Day we come to two Q/A’s which can seem arcane, but in fact are the glue which hold all things together. The better we understand how God works in and through His creation and providence the more comfort and peace His people have as history continues to unfold. When David struggled He remembered God’s faithfulness in the past and knew that this same steadfast love would be true in the future.
There are some who say that discussions about things like this have no benefit, that we should put deep theological topics into academic journals and leave people in the pew to take on issues which are more practical. The kind of things that seemingly have more to do with ministry.
That is nonsense. All of us can handle the meat if we’ve been drinking the milk.
Nothing is more down-to-earth and real than knowing that God alone has the power to make things happen; that everything takes place because He alone has established the rules as to how and why they do what they do. Order is beautiful. There is no possibility of rest without it. As Paul writes, “So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.’” Predestination and election are great mercies to the soul.
We learn so much about ourselves and the life that we should lead when we remember who is in charge of all things.
Here are the questions:
Q. 7. What are the decrees of God?
A. The decrees of God are, His eternal purpose, according to the counsel of His will, whereby, for His own glory, He has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.
Q. 8. How does God execute His decrees?
A. God executes His decrees in the works of creation and providence.
The reason why we don’t live in a chaotic asteroid field of nothingness is because God is God. His glory is the purpose behind the truth that our very steps are measured and planned from before the foundation of the world. For we are His workmanship created for good works, that we might walk in them. If the Lord has decreed that I as an individual would live in Clover, South Carolina in 2021 then I am to do all things He has called me to do while I exist in that location. It does me no good to gripe and moan about it. Or more close to home who can by worry add one cubit to their stature? These are somewhat pedantic examples, but they show us in clear terms why it is we are so blessed by knowing more about the decrees of God. Passages like, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.” and, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” remind us that while things may at times seem out of control, they never are because even though we may not understand what is happening, God does. That makes all the difference in the world. For the humble believer understanding that the secret things belong to the LORD gives us an assurance that no matter the situation, no matter how dark it may look to our eyes, we walk by faith and not by sight.
As alluded to in the quotation from John 3:8 it’s not just the big picture providences that the Lord has ensured will happen for our benefit and His glory, but our very salvation is guaranteed primarily because it is not grounded in sinful flesh to figure out and make happen. God does not clean the slate and then put us out to figure out how to fly. Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of our faith.
Think of the preaching of Ezekiel in the valley of dry bones. Those dead people had once been alive. They lived full lives, but even in death God was not done with them. He laid them in that valley so that when the fulness of time had come He could through the proclamation of the gospel of grace raise them up unto new life. Same with the dead who rose up in the day of the death of Christ when the temple was rent in two. So to were you and I when the time came in God’s providence that we would be awoken out of our sin and misery to enjoy Christ and all His benefits. All of these men and women were blessed by God’s providential decree as much as you or I for the glory of the Lord. May He be praised!
Not only is it the case that Jehovah has decreed our being saved He also has made plans for our sanctification, and ultimately our glorification in the Heavenly places as well. The end is the beginning and the beginning is the end. There is no created thing which can frustrate the plan of God because all created things are a part of the eternal course set out by the eternal One. This is such a freeing teaching. Go and do the work of the Christian life in the sure strength that the Lord has made you for such a time as this. Think about that for a moment. When the Godhead was hovering over the waters in Genesis 1 it was already in motion for you to be born in the 20th and 21st Century in South Carolina, North Carolina, California, West Virginia, and/or Ohio. Even before the land itself was separated from the waters your course in the stars was set.
Some hear this and think God is a God of fatalism. That it doesn’t really matter what we do because the Lord made me do it. That also is nonsense. It could not be less the case. When the Father decreed that you would believe upon the Son He spoke not just that you would, but how you would. In other words the means as well as the end was a part of the electing predestinating grace of Christ. This is why we are called to lives of holiness and righteousness. If the Lord Jesus has granted unto you the gift of eternal life then how can you not bear fruit in light of His glory?
Today’s reading comes to us from Ligonier:
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/gods-decree-and-creation
Blessings in Christ!
Rev. Benjamin Glaser
Pastor, Bethany ARP Church