Verse of the Day 2/12
Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches
both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God!
How unsearchable His judgments
and untraceable His ways! Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Today is Abraham Lincoln's birthday. Born in 1809 and from humble beginnings he would become President of the United States. He went through many trials in his life before he came to the office for which we know him. Through it all he came to know and trust in the Lord; developing an understanding of the concept of the "providence of God".
John Piper in his devotional for today writes:
Abraham Lincoln, who was born on this day in 1809, remained skeptical, and at times even cynical, about religion into his forties. So, it is a most striking thing how personal and national suffering drew Lincoln into the reality of God, rather than pushing him away. In 1862, when Lincoln was 53 years old, his 11-year-old son Willie died. Lincoln's wife "tried to deal with her grief by searching out New Age mediums." Lincoln turned to Phineas Gurley, pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington. Several long talks led to what Gurley described as "a conversion to Christ." Lincoln confided that he was "driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I have nowhere else to go." Similarly, the horrors of the dead and wounded soldiers assaulted him daily. There were fifty hospitals for the wounded in Washington. The rotunda of the Capitol held two thousand cots for wounded soldiers. Typically, fifty soldiers a day died in these temporary hospitals. All of this drove Lincoln deeper into the providence of God. "We cannot but believe, that He who made the world still governs it." His most famous statement about the providence of God in relation to the Civil War was his Second Inaugural Address, given a month before he was assassinated. It is remarkable for not making God a simple supporter for the Union or Confederate cause. God has his own purposes and does not excuse sin on either side. Fondly do we hope — fervently do we pray — that this mighty scourge of war might speedily pass away. . . .
It was through the darkest trials of my life that I have come to know God deeper and trust Him more. Out of it Romans 8:28 has become my life verse. It took me years of having that verse in my mind to come to grips with it and all it's ramifications, but the words are true.
Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[a] for those who are called according to his purpose. English Standard Version (ESV)
Before I came to grips with that verse John 6:68-69 Peter's words echoed in my mind and brought me to the point of searching and seeking the grace to understand Romans 8:28.
John 6:68-69 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God." English Standard Version (ESV)
My hope and prayer is that you have come to the realization that "God is mighty to save" and that He will give you the grace and understanding to come to grips with God's providence "in all things". If you have the time read Romans 8:18-39 and pay close attention to the references to "all things" in these verses. May we all like Abraham Lincoln come to the realization that "We cannot but believe, that He who made the world still governs it."
-- In Christ, Mike Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
Romans 11:33-36 English Standard Version (ESV)
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
34 "For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?"
35 "Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?"
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment