"Now the serpent (Satan) was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"
Genesis 3:1
The woman replied that they could eat from the trees except the tree in the middle of the garden and if they touched it, they, Adam and Eve, would die! Satan immediately begin to sow the seeds of doubt, "You will not surely die."
From the beginning God had planned a way to sift the wheat from the tares and the sheep from the goats. Those who would belong to Him were chosen from the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.
"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of or Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." I Thessalonians 5:23 - 25
Going back to the dawn of man, our Lord has taken His hands off of us and allowed Satan to enter our life. Just as God's character hasn't changed and never will, neither has Satan's who was a liar and deceiver from the beginning.
In some respect, the Bible is a record of one tragic event after another. To mention a few - man being separated from God in the Garden of Eden, Cain and Able - man kills his brother, the flood that covered the earth, the plagues of Egypt and parting of the Red Sea drowning the entire Egyptian army.
Was the Egyptian Pharaoh in charge, no God was. I thought of Pharaoh as a very stubborn man until I read in Exodus over and over again that it was God who hardened Pharaoh's heart and God was always in control of the timing and events that occurred.
"But I will harden Pharaoh's heart and though I multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt, he will not listen to you."
Exodus 7:4
Remember what appeared to be a tragedy when Jacob's son Joseph was thrown down a well and left to die because his brother's were very jealous of him. God had a plan and Joseph later told his brothers. . .
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
Genesis 50:20
Joseph told his family that they weren't responsible for him being in Egypt, God sent him there and made him ruler of all Egypt.When tragic events take place, cry out 'Why Lord?' because ultimately He is the One in charge of everything. He doesn't always answer us.
The only way we can understand what the Lord is doing is not by trying to figure it all out, but to walk in faith trusting the One who loves us and has promised a day will come when peace and joy will reign. We need to remember these words. . .
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55: 8 - 9
"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will." Ephesians 1:11
Poor Job suffered so many heart wrenching loses and lived with much pain, sadness and bewilderment. He has become the poster boy of hard times! Did you know that it was God Himself who invited Satan into Job's life. . ."Have you considered my servant Job?" God asked Satan. Job 1:8 However we see in verse 12 that God set boundaries that Satan could not surpass. God was firmly in control.
1 John 4 states that God is love. We love, but God is love - there is a difference. Our love can melt away in a heartbeat when someone attacks us. All through Scripture the Lord proclaims love for His children. As long as we live in this world we will have to deal with evil, lots of it. Sometimes it comes on you so quickly it's like being in a snow storm and not being able to get your sense of direction, feeling lost and confused - where is the right road?
But be assured, evil will not last forever; God has promised an end to it. For those who know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they have absolute assurance that all will end well. It was Jesus who paid the price for all the evil, believers have been washed clean, white as snow.
The Lord knows our emotions and when our hearts are broken - can't help but think His is too - like your child having to deal with something awful in their life, you cry for them. We only see a finite picture, God sees into infinity. He knows the beginning and the end. He will work the bad for good for those He loves. Don't waiver in your trust for the Living Lord.
Thank you Lord that even though we don't always understand your plan and purpose that we can trust you anyway. Fear doesn't have to be a part of our life.
Was the Egyptian Pharaoh in charge, no God was. I thought of Pharaoh as a very stubborn man until I read in Exodus over and over again that it was God who hardened Pharaoh's heart and God was always in control of the timing and events that occurred.
"But I will harden Pharaoh's heart and though I multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt, he will not listen to you."
Exodus 7:4
Remember what appeared to be a tragedy when Jacob's son Joseph was thrown down a well and left to die because his brother's were very jealous of him. God had a plan and Joseph later told his brothers. . .
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
Genesis 50:20
Joseph told his family that they weren't responsible for him being in Egypt, God sent him there and made him ruler of all Egypt.When tragic events take place, cry out 'Why Lord?' because ultimately He is the One in charge of everything. He doesn't always answer us.
The only way we can understand what the Lord is doing is not by trying to figure it all out, but to walk in faith trusting the One who loves us and has promised a day will come when peace and joy will reign. We need to remember these words. . .
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55: 8 - 9
"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will." Ephesians 1:11
Poor Job suffered so many heart wrenching loses and lived with much pain, sadness and bewilderment. He has become the poster boy of hard times! Did you know that it was God Himself who invited Satan into Job's life. . ."Have you considered my servant Job?" God asked Satan. Job 1:8 However we see in verse 12 that God set boundaries that Satan could not surpass. God was firmly in control.
1 John 4 states that God is love. We love, but God is love - there is a difference. Our love can melt away in a heartbeat when someone attacks us. All through Scripture the Lord proclaims love for His children. As long as we live in this world we will have to deal with evil, lots of it. Sometimes it comes on you so quickly it's like being in a snow storm and not being able to get your sense of direction, feeling lost and confused - where is the right road?
But be assured, evil will not last forever; God has promised an end to it. For those who know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they have absolute assurance that all will end well. It was Jesus who paid the price for all the evil, believers have been washed clean, white as snow.
The Lord knows our emotions and when our hearts are broken - can't help but think His is too - like your child having to deal with something awful in their life, you cry for them. We only see a finite picture, God sees into infinity. He knows the beginning and the end. He will work the bad for good for those He loves. Don't waiver in your trust for the Living Lord.
Thank you Lord that even though we don't always understand your plan and purpose that we can trust you anyway. Fear doesn't have to be a part of our life.
