Think Wink.

Tomorrow is the fifth anniversary of 9/11.  This morning I preached the second sermon in Romans 9.  I am really trying to drive home a passion and understanding for God’s sovereignty over all of humanity.  It was reading this chapter that I began to look at the world in a whole new light.  I began to look at everything from a divine perspective.

It was through Romans 9 that hurricane Katrina makes sense and gives me hope.  It is through Romans 9 that I can still trust in God in the middle of 9/11.  In middle of the storm, it is my confidence in God’s sovereignty that I can know that I am where I am supposed to be and that this terror will work for good.  The God in Romans 9 says that he is glorious in all that he does and there is nothing that he can’t do.  He can take the womb of a woman older than ninety and cause it to give birth.  He does what he promises to do.  His sovereign power allows him to make any promise and accomplish it.

Romans 9 does the ultimate thing for me: it gives me confidence that no matter what, God’s word can be trusted.  In light of all the sin, God will fulfill his word of promise and protection and salvation to me.  I know that even though God isn’t working evil, the evil cannot happen unless he dains it to happen.  Sennacherib thought his invasion of Judah declares his power, in all reality we saw God’s power displayed.  Because of that power and control and ability that trumps all wills and running of man, I rest in God and his love and salvation.

That message rang home with my congregation today.  They understood that in the midst of life’s storms, God’s word still stands firm because to those who God has spoken to, God will fulfill it.  We saw that Ishmael wasn’t the promised child, Isaac was.  Because Isaac was promised, and then when God came he was born, we can know that when God promises he accomplishes.  His word does not return void and empty.  The people of the church saw that in the middle of 9/11, God’s word to save them still stands.  In the middle of Katrina, God’s word still stands.  Why?  Because he is sovereign over all events.  As Isaiah put it, God creats both light and darkness, well-being and calamity.

Therefore I want to issue all who hear my voice, the sovereign power that purposed 9/11 and Katrina is promised to be used to your eternal good.  If God’s word does not fall then we can know for certain two things.  First, God ordains all things to happen and holds the world accountable for them happening.  Nothing happens unless God says so, it is clear from Job and in Isaiah 45:5-7; 46:9-11.  Secondly, God fulfills his promises.  Will you trust in him today?  Habakkuk said in his third chapter that though the land is barren and food is source and the Babylonians are invading, he trusts God.  Will you trust a God who took up flesh, died on the cross for you sins, resurrected from the dead, and now promises you resurrection power to sustain you in all the trials and tribulations God has ordained to come you way?  Don’t be King Hezekiah and think that you won’t bear trouble.  Get on your knees and rest in his sovereign power that can defeat any obstacle.

How Many, How Many?

Positional and Progressive Holiness

Thoughts in Light of 9/11