In my carnality, and spiritual immaturity, it is easy to question the things that go beyond the measure of our always seeing the good in it, even in our "minds eye". For instance, I might allow my thinking to accept that God was overseeing the whole thing because nobody got hurt, so there is the immediate proof, if you will. But what if someone had gotten hurt or killed, would that mean that God was not involved? When I have received calls to comfort someone who is in a place of difficulty, I never like to use "canned comfort", but to become an expression of His heart through me. While I don't always think this at the time, I know that it is never what I think that matters, but it is what He thinks that is important!And so I know that God IS SOVEREIGN in all things, which is more than a doctrine but a deep down abiding truth! And when all is said and done, He is worthy to be praised!! And I am wondering now, if that is the revelation that Job had? That he gets to where he finds out by experience that God is either God all of the time or not, and since it is so, and there is never a time when He is not worthy to be praised, then at all times we can praise Him!!!
And so I wonder partly if that ties in with the other thoughts about what is the next step in revelation God is about to unfold? It is easy to get caught up with the crowd, and even the hype of some of the present truth teachers, but without all the hype and end of the world scenarios, what is next we wonder? I will say that I think when certain terms are used they are mis-used and therefore whole doctrines are formed around a misprint so to speak. For example, the use of the end of the world, in most peoples mind include global disaster! And in my mind at times as well, but I really think it is more of a world system! There was an end of the world in the first century with the end of the Old Testament system in 70 a.d.
I think we are at the edge and are beginning to cross over to a beginning of a new world system, but this one will be the expansion of the Christ in the earth. How that will take place is a mystery to me, but at least in "my earth" (body) I sense He is taking more and more control, which is what I desire to its fullest!! Let the carnality die!!! I am tired of regret as far as speaking and living from a carnal man at times!! I am all to much aware that I do not let the Christ live as fully in me as I would wish to be, knowing that He will. And what will it be like when His thoughts are my thoughts and His mind is my mind, and there is no conflict?? And if the same thing happens in you in its fullness, and in like minded believers all over the world then shall we see a change from in the midst of the heart of things! Jesus changed all that were around Him when He was manifested, and so can we imagine an army of believers changing all those around them and effecting the whole earth? Look at in measure the first century believers. Look at Paul, who was able to see kings and rulers etc.
The difference between Paul and you or I, I think is that Paul had a constant vision of his calling and purpose, and I for one do not. One day I am sure I am supposed to do this, another day that, and so it is easy to be swayed by inconveniences. But Paul being sure of his calling could be cast out of the city and stoned to death, be raised back up and go back into the city and preach revival without so much as a rebuke for his stoning!! OH that God would fill us with His purpose!!!
The verse that says "Make your calling and election sure" has been used to scare people into questioning their salvation, but I think it has more to do with having a purpose that is sure so that you can have the determination to follow it through even in the middle of all kinds of problems that would get in the path, from stonings to car wrecks!!
At times I would like to see the spectacular, and the Hollywood endings, but I have to compare to the absence of the Hollywood beginnings with a manger and a few shepherds and an obscure and hidden start to a world changing life!! So, I am not sure I ever gave it this much thought before, but I am now more inclined than ever to think that the ending is going to be much like the beginning, and has already begun, and will continue to be so until the whole creation is set free! We gain by our experience with the Lord. We learn mercy because we receive mercy, we learn grace because we experience grace, so why should we learn it that way, and yet the world does not? What then would there purpose be? But what if they are to learn it by experience from us??
I almost want to continue with this non-stop because in writing it I am putting down thoughts that I have never had. And I do not stop because I am concerned how you will read it, as a matter of fact I think it will witness to you too. But there is no end to the wondering of it, and we are led one step at a time with as much clarity as He gives us, and in that still small voice, instead of the trumpet we are led!! A trumpet is great for getting your attention, but once it is gotten, a still small voice is all that is necessary! And even then there is a verse I think in proverbs that talks about directing with His eyes, that blessed me when I imagine being so attentive to the Lord that all he has to do is even look in the direction He wants something done, and we respond! Like a King sitting on a throne, and the king has a sideways glance at an object in the corner, and the subject ever watchful of His every desire would run and fetch that object for the king without a word being spoken!! Oh Lord let that be done in me!!! Oh that I could lay aside all my pursuits for His alone!!!
