Complimentary Story
April 2024God’s Divine Providence embraces all of creation. His power, and authority emanates everywhere: “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made. Even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and four footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves; Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, Who is blessed for ever.” (Romans 1:19-25).
God has never left His throne, nor His ruling force from it. He knows and is in control of everything. “O Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thoughts afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, Thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid Thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into Heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: The darkness and the light are both alike to Thee. For Thou hast possessed my reins: Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.” (Psalm 139: 1-15).
Life is worth the living when we have Christ living in our lives and: “I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come; Nor heights, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39).
We see throughout Scripture how God’s Divine Providence was orchestrated. For example, look at the life of Joseph. The prophecy he gave through a dream caused a friction which, in turn, was used of God to fulfill it. None of us are called to walk in a path exactly like His, but we are all called to pick up our own cross, and follow Jesus.
We are no different than those throughout Scripture. Look at the disciples who followed Jesus for three years. They thought they had life all figured out. They decided how Jesus was to be their worldly leader, and when His plans were not theirs, they ended up afraid and hid in the Upper Room. If they would have listened, they would have known what was to take place. Jesus had to get their attention anew, and when He did, they in turn, turned the known world to their Lord and Saviour.
Today, many of us wonder “What’s delaying the Lord’s return, and how long will He tarry before He judges our Sodom and Gomorrah?” “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I send it.” (Isaiah 55: 8-11).
So, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.” (Proverbs 3: 5-7).
Nothing surprises or baffles the Lord. He sees and knows the end from the beginning, and all the affairs of the universe are under His control. So, “Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5: 7). Send questions or comments to:
The Upper Room Ministry
John E. Burt
6854 N. Zett Road
Loretta, WI 54896
