God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne ( Psalm 47:8 ). You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent. Every evil in the world must somehow serve Gods purpose. In this wilderness they shall be destroyed, and there they will die. As for the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land and who returned and made all the congregation grumble against him by bringing out a bad report concerning the land, even those men who brought out the very bad report of the land died by a plague before the Lord. The Bible says, God was well pleased through the message preached to save those who believe (I Cor. God Were they to voluntarily all drown? An unlikely person to be used by God. If your rsum is sparse, your intellect feeble, your skills unimpressive, and your wisdom just average, fret not. Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? He has but one endto make us like Jesus. All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven, will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,But He does according to His will in the host of heavenAnd among the inhabitants of earth;And no one can ward off His handOr say to Him, What have You done?. 1:22). Get your Bible. I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel, which they are making against Me. His God Uses Many People to Accomplish His Purposes WebThe one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. God asks us to do things we cant do, because it makes us trust IN HIM, not ourselves. Those who look to themselves, will eventually and always reap their just punishment. God But most of the time we wont see it fully until we finally arrive in heaven. When God desires to save someone, He raises up Christians to preach the gospel. These lessons simply teach us that God can take that which is evil and use it for his own good purposes. I have not written a New York Times Bestseller, and no one has publicly endorsed, recommended, or vouched for me. And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians ( Exodus 12:36 ). God uses pathetic people for his glorious purposes to show his superior power. God even gave prophecy through Isaiah that this very thing would take place. We return now to the original question: Why did God allow Judas to betray Jesus? Remember my imprisonment. But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. It was their God, or at least the God of Moses, that just killed all the first born of Egypt. 1 John 5:14. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent. Then the Lord said to Moses, Why are you crying out to Me? Guiding our world whether we are able to see it or not. For I work a work in your days, a work which you will by no means believe, Though one were to declare it to you., Jeremiah also spoke of the same thing about which God warned Habakkuk. This seems to be one of the reasons God had Moses lift up his staff and hands to divide the Red Sea. WebJohn 3:16. Soon they will be raised up from that struggle to full power. Prayer is one of the means God uses to accomplish His sovereign will and get glory for himself. God sovereignly saves sinners, yet, He often uses sinners to accomplish His sovereign will. Sign up to join over 20,000 subscribers receiving our weekly sermon email. How can I believe in the goodness of God when there is so much evil in the world? Surely you shall not come into the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. shall by no means see the land which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who spurned Me see it. In the beginning Satan challenged Gods right to rule. Jesus immediately restored the ear and told Peter to put down his sword. WebAnd then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will. He sent His son to pay a most costly price for the sin of His people, for those who trust in Him. So continue to trust in Him and you wont be disappointed. When Judas actually betrayed Jesus in the Garden, Peter immediately sprang to his defense. New American Standard Bible Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. Moses was a by-product of the Egyptians attempts to hinder Gods blessing upon them, was placed in pitch covered basket and set adrift in the Nile, but rescued, weened by his own mother, adopted into Pharaohs house, and educated in all the learning of Egypt (Acts 7:22). Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! Because God is utterly unimpressed by my rsum. All of these people are unlikely choices to be used by God since they didnt truly know or believe in Him. Then the Lord heard the sound of your words, and He was angry and took an oath, saying, Not one of these men, this evil generation, shall see the good land which I swore to give your fathers. Those who were rebelling against God had become apathetic. The gospels writers emphasize that although the Jewish leaders earnestly sought for witnesses who could testify against Christ, they found no one willing to come forward. Then God, in His sovereign power and will, takes our weak and fallible service, and accomplishes His will, like parting the Red Sea. And, "Who Are The Sons of God in Genesis 6? They will be held guilty. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife? They were afraid. WebGod never does evil Himself. In 609 Judahs King Josiah was killed in battle against Egypt. When they offered him 30 pieces of silver, he readily accepted even though that was the going price for a slave. One of the most remarkable things about the Scriptures is how they preserve for us what we regard as our highest dignity, which is the right to exercise our own will. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Grace be with you. International Standard Version. Your children, however, whom you said would become a preyI will bring them in, and they will know the land which you have rejected. When you find yourself in a tight spot and you cant see any way of deliverance, have faith in God, obey His Word, and wait for the salvation of the Lord. WebAnd then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will. And did not believe in His wonderful works. They wanted him dead and used Judas as a convenient means to that ugly end. Impatience and failing to trust God is never helpful. Gods plan even extended to having Jesus buried in a borrowed tomb (see Isaiah 53:9). Now if You slay this people as one man, then the nations who have heard of Your fame will say,read more.Because the Lord could not bring this people into the land which He promised them by oath, therefore He slaughtered them in the wilderness. But now, I pray, let the power of the Lord be great, just as You have declared, The Lord is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations. Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Your lovingkindness, just as You also have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now. So the Lord said, I have pardoned them according to your word; but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord. Pharaohs heart was hardened again. He chooses to use sinners to accomplish His sovereign will, often in ways we dont even understand. It is only as we look back that we see clearly that God was there all along, working behind the scenes for our good and his glory. God is not the author of sin, but He can use sinful men to attain an objective. How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who are grumbling against Me? They sweep through like the strong winds from the East gathering up captives that number like the grains of sand. Scripture even points to the fact that God used Cyrus even though he didnt know God. Embrace your weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon you to reveal Gods surpassing greatness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Thanks for your interest! It is a mighty nation, It is an ancient nation, A nation whose language you do not know, Nor can you understand what they say. . WebGod will never set man's will aside and use him for a good purpose without his being willing to be used. Everything fits into Gods plan. The repentant show Gods unmerited grace to undeserving sinners, and reveal the merciful blessing and goodness of God. Causing a sacrifice to take place that would open salvation up to all people. The phrase all this refers to the betrayal, the circumstances surrounding it, and the circumstances flowing from it. The new Pharaoh saw the Israelites as a plague in the land. Second, the proper response to any trial or danger is to not fear but stand by and see the salvation of the Lord. How many times do we fret and worry and then see the Lord deliver us and realize that all of our anxiety and fretting was for naught, that it accomplished nothing, but was an expression of our sinful doubt? WebGod was about to turn to the Gentiles as He judged Israel as a nation for her unbelief. WebGod also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. Jesus responded to the false testimony by saying nothing at all. Two questions stand out: 1) Did Jesus actually descend into hell? (see Acts 1:20). The greater the pain, the harder it is to see Gods fingerprints. We concluded that the Bible doesnt give us a final answer regarding why Judas betrayed Jesus Christ. The sad story of Judas stands as a warning to religious people not to trust in their religion. Strategically, this appeared to be a very unwise move, unless you are God. According to the number of days which you spied out the land, forty days, for every day you shall bear your guilt a year, even forty years, and you will know My opposition. Its something we can clearly see within the pages of our Bible. Fifth, and the point I want to focus on, is that the Lord tells Moses, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land. I find this very interesting and encouraging. As we saw in the first four verses of this book, Habakkuk was confused. Although Judas appears to be acting solely on his own initiative, it is clear that his betrayal fits into a larger pattern of eventsone that is orchestrated by the unseen hand of the Living God. Moses didnt have any power to bring the ten plagues upon Egypt either. 1:8). Those who turn in humble trust to the Lord, who rest in His work of redemption, who seek to walk in his ways, and who turn in humble repentance when they fail, will receive His righteousness, and blessing forever. But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. My ministry is small locally, but gigantic because of the faithful service of others. If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience sake. Does God Accomplish His Purpose in Our God uses all those who humble themselves before the cross, boasting only in him his strength, his wisdom, his righteousness, his accomplishment. God and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. God can use anyone and anything. Another unlikely person used by God was King Cyrus of Persia. We need to remember that God uses the foolish. If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience sake. Does God Accomplish His Purpose in Our or will we in our rebellion demonstrate the just curse of His covenant warnings? Jesus waved him off by declaring, All this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled (Matthew 26:56). We see this all the way through the Bible. God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. God Can Use Unbelievers part 1: Cyrus First, we see the faith of Moses. God doesnt need men, but God chooses to use men at times to accomplish His sovereign will. Providence means that God is in charge of the entire universe at all times and nothing happens outside his control. The fact that God ordains both the means and the ends should surely encourage us as we face our own trials. God will deal with them according to his plan, but first, He will use them for His own covenant judgment. God use non-believers to help His people But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it. Although God was at work in the betrayal, you couldnt see it that night. So through his death, he can have everlasting life on earth. He had great trust in the truth of God. Those who read my words are in many different situations: May I repeat what I just said: He has not brought us this far to cause us to fail. But before his salvation took place God was still using Him. 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. Im not a founder, innovator, CEO, or visionary of any company. 28:49, The LORD will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flies, a nation whose language you will not understand. The Lord can never be blamed for evil, but evil does not take p. God never does evil Himself. God has the amazing ability to do things that simply do not make sense to mankind. But what they do is not going to bring them true blessing. One of the most remarkable things about the Scriptures is how they preserve for us what we regard as our highest dignity, which is the right to exercise our own will. They all come for violence; Their faces are set like the east wind. WebGod was about to turn to the Gentiles as He judged Israel as a nation for her unbelief. While not all became believers, many felt a strong attraction to his message. He reminded Peter that he could call for 12 legions of angels72,000 highly trained, heavily armed members of the Angelic Defense Leagueto come to his rescue at any moment. God is not the author of sin, but He can use sinful men to attain an objective. Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys; turn tomorrow and set out to the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea.. It doesnt mean everything will also go perfectly or the way we hope. New American Standard Bible Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. Grace be with you. In 605 Egypt was defeated by the Neo-Babylonians at Carchemish. Because they did not believe in GodAnd did not trust in His salvation. Judas didnt know itand doesnt get any credit for itbut his dastardly deed actually fulfilled predictions given by the Holy Spirit hundreds of years before he was born. Here are five specific prophecies that were fulfilled when Judas betrayed Jesus: Psalm 41:9Close friend will betray Christ (see John 13:18). 4:5). But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land. Solomon was given a mind like no one before and like none even after him (1 Kings 3:12). Were they to march into the sea holding their little ones, driving their cattle, and pushing their elderly? The Pharisees believed they were serving God but in reality, they didnt even know Him. Paul, in writing to Corinth, corrected the Churchs misuse of speaking in foreign tongues. Recent events may not have gone how you hoped and the signs may seem bleak. The Lord can never be blamed for evil, but evil does not take p. God never does evil Himself. Then we read this in Exodus 14:13-16: But Moses said to the people, Do not fear! God is not the author of sin, but He can use sinful men to attain an objective. Pentecost was a sign to the unbelieving of Israel that they had broken the covenant and stood deserving of Gods judgment and wrath. Wisdom alone, though, is insufficient. Why bother praying to a God who isnt? What Jesus Wants Emphasized In His Church! How will they preach unless they are sent? Understanding God in Troubled Times Why does God allow deception That literally means, I find no basis for any of the charges brought against this man. In modern terms, you might call it a Summary Judgment in favor of Jesus. Covenant judgment was about to be poured out upon Israel. In heaven, each mans praise will come to him from God, and God will be glorified for sovereignly using sinners for His good purposes (I Cor. Gods Ability To Use Unlikely People Even Unbelievers. Lesson 7 The Interpretation of Scripture, Lesson 5a Boundaries of the Doctrine of Creation, Primeval Chronology by Dr. William Henry Green, Lesson 8 Gods Special Providence & Miracles, Lesson 10 Assurance of Grace and Salvation, Lesson 2 Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience, Lesson 3 The Regulative Principle of Worship, Lesson 4a The Elements of Regulated Worship, Lesson 4b The Elements of Regulated Worship, Lesson 1 An Overview of Special Eschatology, Lesson 2 -The Great Tribulation of Matthew 24, Lesson 3 The Millennium of Revelation 20, A Guide for Small Group Bible Study Leaders, Defending the Biblical Faith by what God Shows Us, Lessons in the Westminster Shorter Catechsim, The Inspiration of the Treasured Word of God, Summary of the 45th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America, The Holy Spirit In the Ministry of the Word, The Necessity of Biblical Love in the Believers Life, Keep Your Bible Skills Sharp and Ready (part 2), Keep Your Bible Skills Sharp and Ready (Part 1). This truth about Judas illustrates Gods control of every event in the universe. For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son for those who believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.. God He clings to his sin like a drowning man to an iron life preserver. God Uses God has the amazing ability to do things that simply do not make sense to mankind. So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. One swing of his sword whacked off the ear of Malchus, servant to the High Priest. Verse Concepts. God ordains the means and the ends of life. Now and then we advance to Easter morning where we discover Gods purpose in our pain. Jump to Previous He wants us to trust in Him, to rely on Him, to cry out to Him, and then give Him glory for delivering us. A God who can bring something good out of betrayal can be trusted to accomplish his work in your life. Its okay to be a nobody, if in all you do, you serve Somebody. God Uses the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. Often in the confusion of life, we cant see the ends, much less the means God intends for us. God chooses the custodian with a heavy accent to share the gospel and save lives. They post my sermons on the web and people listen to or watch me preach all over the world. How beautiful! That is what moving forward would require, or so it seemed. A third reason God had Moses raise his staff and hands before dividing the Red Sea is that God delights to use sinners to accomplish His sovereign will. Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? They gather captives like sand. This is a true mystery, which we may explain in various ways but will never fully understand. Anyone who resists God risks falling into spiritual deception (2 If not, we have reason to question whether our faith is real. Many that people can plan to do much but is God that will always have the final say. WebGod also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. In spite of all this they still sinnedAnd did not believe in His wonderful works. But if anyone says to you, This is meat sacrificed to idols, do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience sake; I mean not your own conscience, but the other mans; for why is my freedom judged by anothers conscience? God uses pathetic people for his glorious purposes to show his superior power. But we can find hope in knowing that God is in control, He works all things for our God, and no suffering we face know will even be able to cast a shadow on the glory we will receive in Heaven. God Works His Will The new king was deposed after three months. Do not lament your insufficiency. This brings us face to face with the doctrine of Gods providence, which means, A) God has a plan that includes everything that happens in the universe, and, B) Gods plan extends to the tiniest details of life, and. God has already determined the end from the beginning (Isa. They mock authority and law, and believe that might makes right. They still look to their own strength and ability as if they were divine and answer to no authority above their own. They do whatever they want. Grace be with you. Fit to be Used The glory of His nature and attributes will be made known in full. Gods Prophet Jeremiah warned of Gods judgment. They scoff at kings, And princes are scorned by them. So the emphasis of the chapter is on Gods working out His purpose through ordinary people who obey Him. (Bible quotations are from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.). Having all the wisdom in the world didnt guarantee fidelity. 1 John 5:14. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. Your children, however, whom you said would become a preyI will bring them in, and they will know the land which you have rejected. WebThe Scripture teaches that God achieves His purpose in unbelievers. As the persecution he inflicted was just the jump-start the early church needed to start taking the Gospel to the rest of the world. 10 people that God used to accomplish his purposes I. Paul: The one with a shameful past and challenging present (4:18) Colossians 4:18 - I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. International Standard Version. We see the same thing after the Israelites cross the Red Sea and are attacked by the Amalekites (Ex. 46:10). It becomes all the more bold in lawlessness.
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