Remember this, keep it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: “My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” Isa. 46:8-10
Holy and gracious Father, I offer you no pushback this morning for being addressed as a rebel in this Scripture; for I not only rebel against your commandments, I also rebel against your gospel. At times, I think the gospel is too good to be true. That’s why I need a Savior as big as Jesus.
My only hope is in knowing that you will complete the good work of salvation you began in me. Your purpose will stand. You do all that you please, and it pleases you to justify and transform rebels like me. Great is your grace. Great is your faithfulness.
I also find great comfort today in knowing that your purposes for everything else will also stand. This truth is both disruptive and comforting. There are some things I really want you to do, Father, things that make all the sense in the world to me—things that seem so in line with the truth of the gospel. But they’re not going to happen, unless you so decree.
There are other things I don’t have the faith for which to trust you—things which I cannot imagine coming to pass. Yet like a lush garden blossoming in the arid desert; an axe head floating on the water; the conversion of a hardened Pharisee, like Paul; the resurrection of a totally dead marriage; the renewal of a cold congregation… those very things will happen if it so pleases you.
Father, help me “fix it in mind and take it to heart.” You are God and you do as you please. No one can ultimately resist your will, and we’re foolish when we try. You’re not a manageable deity; you’re not predictable; you’re not programmable. Hallelujah! You are mysterious—good, but mysterious.
I’m so thankful that you are a sovereign Father, having equal care for each of your children. I can trust you. I don’t have to panic about decision. I don’t have to worry about changes. I don’t have to take matters into my own hands in any area of my life. I don’t have to fear outcomes, “what ifs,” or “if only’s.” Second-guessing must raise its hands and surrender to gospel sanity.
Father, help me to want your purposes to stand more than I want a less messy life. Help me to glory in your pleasure more than I finagle for fewer hassles. Help me to accept disruption as a necessary part of transformation.
Help me not to hide behind a doctrine of sovereignty but to abandon myself to my loving Father, who does all things well. There is no comfort like the comfort which comes from knowing you and calling you Abba, Father. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ trustworthy and tender name.