Red Deer
Advocate, January
16th, 2010. Tragedy strikes all around. But our life is spared. What
do we conclude? That God must have a purpose for our life. This conclusion begs
a few questions. Did God have a purpose for our life before the tragedy? If we
had died in the tragedy, does this mean our life never had purpose? Janell
Steeves was spared. Another nurse, Ivonne Martin, was not. Does one life have a
purpose while the other one doesn’t?
“A
thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it
shall not come nigh thee” (Psalm 91.7.) This promise is for the saints of God.
Until God’s purpose in the saint has been fulfilled on earth, nothing can kill
his body. Taken more deeply, this verse is a promise that says the soul,
because God is his refuge, will be delivered from the unending wrath of God.
As
far as the preservation of the body is concerned, Psalm 91.7 is true for all
persons, in some way, though only the saints should take comfort in the truth.
Though Pharaoh was not elected for glory, he was raised up for the purpose of
God showing power over him (Romans 9.17.) Pharaoh had to be raised up to
prominence and then preserved for the purpose appointed by God for him. Only
then did he fall by the side of the standing elect of God. God does not create
without a purpose. Every person is created with a purpose in mind. A person
cannot be stopped until that purpose of God for his life comes to pass.
‘God has a wonderful plan for your life’ is a promise
we hear promiscuously given out in our churches. The promise is carelessly
thrown out to all, albeit with good intention: in the hope that each person
told it will make God his focus. The plan God has for your life will be good
for God in the end. He will be glorified by showing mercy or by showing power.
But it will not go well for you if God has chosen you for the purpose of
showing his power over an unrepentant rebel. What was purposed for Pharaoh may
be purposed for you. Do not presume that God has purposed to show you mercy,
that ‘God has a wonderful plan for your life.’ “Therefore hath he mercy on whom
he will, and whom he will he hardeneth” (Romans 9.18.) Look to Jesus Christ as
your Saviour from sin and woe. Then the purpose of God for you may be
pronounced ‘wonderful’ (which word is now used to convey something ‘unusually
good.’) Christ has suffered on the cross for the sins of many, but not all. Did
he suffer for yours in particular? Do not presume a yes; neither despair by
concluding no. Focus here: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your
sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the
presence of the Lord” (Acts 3.19.)
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