god uses unbelievers to accomplish his will
Anyone who resists God risks falling into spiritual deception (2 God uses all those who humble themselves before the cross, boasting only in him his strength, his wisdom, his righteousness, his accomplishment. WebThe one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. Now relax your hand! And the angel of the Lord was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. But Habakkuks confusion was not doubt. Why? God use non-believers to help His people But all of them come from the hand of the Lord. I also answer yes. I have an unimpressive family background and do not come from a long line of important people. Because God created all He can use anything in creation. WebGod never does evil Himself. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. Bible Hub As far as Pilate was concerned, he was ordering an innocent man put to deathwhich is why he tried to wash his hands of the whole affair. Jesus responded to the false testimony by saying nothing at all. They all come for violence; Their faces are set like the east wind. God has the amazing ability to do things that simply do not make sense to mankind. In the process, we will also find an answer to a third question, Who are the sons of God in Gen. 6? If you like solving mysteries, you will love this, "Churches are going apostate inside their comfortable church buildings! Did Jesus Descend Into Hell? When Moses spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, the people mourned greatly. Habakkuk 1:5, Look among the nations and watch Be utterly astounded! God will use it even if you do not understand how. But now, I pray, let the power of the Lord be great, just as You have declared, Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Your lovingkindness, just as You also have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now., but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the. God blesses those in whom he stirs to obedience, and judges disobedience. Click here. The book of proverbs also gives us insight into this. The gospel writers record many Old Testament prophecies that were fulfilled in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. At my own local church, and everywhere else I go, faithful men and women record my sermons in audio and sometimes video. WebGod Can Use Unbelievers part 1: Cyrus 1. He is the preeminent insider who knew Jesus as well as anyone has ever known himyet in the end never really knew him at all. In Acts 2 God poured out His Holy Spirit on the disciples who spoke on the streets of Jerusalem in the languages of the Gentiles who were present. Do not lament your insufficiency. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. In the time of the New Testament after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we see the expansion of Gods Covenant to include Gentile believers drawn to the Savor by the Gospel. I have not been named most influential, listed as most attractive, or voted most likely to succeed. And how will they hear without a preacher? God scoffs at any attempt by me or you to prove our worthiness. Their chargers charge ahead; Their cavalry comes from afar; They fly as the eagle that hastens to eat. God was rejecting their national privilege, and turning to the Gentiles to populate his Covenant Nation on Earth. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. Suggestions? God sovereignly saves sinners, yet, He often uses sinners to accomplish His sovereign will. They were in an impossible situation with no way out. As we saw in the first four verses of this book, Habakkuk was confused. New American Standard Bible Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. The glory of His nature and attributes will be made known in full. Eventually, Pharaoh decided to use the Jews for slave labor. God Will Use Even You Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. All of it happened according to Gods plan. Wisdom alone, though, is insufficient. so that they might escape from the devil's snare, even though they've been held captive by him to do his will. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. WebWhat if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 1 Peter 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. According to the number of days which you spied out the land, forty days, for every day you shall bear your guilt a year, even forty years, and you will know My opposition. Although God was at work in the betrayal, you couldnt see it that night. From the earliest days of Jesus life we find the Jewish leaders conspiring against him. Then his mind changes, and he transgresses; He commits offense, Ascribing this power to his god.. Acts 2:23 tells us that Jesus was delivered up, by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death. WebGod will never set man's will aside and use him for a good purpose without his being willing to be used. Providence means that God is in charge of the entire universe at all times and nothing happens outside his control. WebJohn 3:16. When we reach a dead end in our own resources, God can part the sea of the impossible and get us through, but I digress. Judas served Gods purposes even though what he did was wrong and he ended up in hell. He was ready to die for his Master and intended to take a few of the bad guys with him. For who resists His will?, For He says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.. Yet, Solomon turned away from God (1 Kings 11:4, 912). Every evil in the world must somehow serve Gods purpose. Two questions stand out: 1) Did Jesus actually descend into hell? Will we show forth Gods glory in our obedience and in our receiving of His covenant blessing? It doesnt matter if you have theology degrees or mothered a dozen healthy, happy children or started several 501(c)3s to feed the poor and end trafficking. But if anyone says to you, This is meat sacrificed to idols, do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience sake; I mean not your own conscience, but the other mans; for why is my freedom judged by anothers conscience? They thank me for posting my sermons on the internet. Soon they will be raised up from that struggle to full power. Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 6:10). 10 people that God used to accomplish his purposes I. Paul: The one with a shameful past and challenging present (4:18) Colossians 4:18 - I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. He uses believers and unbelievers. Remember my imprisonment. Believer, dont think that your faithful service to your local body of believers is insignificant or accounts for little or nothing. In their very act of oppression, they unknowingly serve the glory of the Creator. We have one life to use, and the usefulness of that one life depends not on our rsum or even how much we know. He didnt accept evil apathetically, he was appalled by it. But our God is mightier than any office or country. verses about Unbelievers His plan in doing so was to bless all people. Which is why they completely missed the Messiah when they stood right beside Him. The unbelievers, become confused, not remembering ever having the opportunity to serve Jesus. The unbeliever has made an exchangethe truth for a lieand the devil is happy to facilitate the swap by presenting the sinner with a wide array of lies from which to choose. Do not begrudge your weakness. During this period, foreign powers invaded Israel again and again, and inside the nation known as Gods people, evil and immorality raged. They had no weapons to fight Pharaohs army, no experience in war, no ability to defend themselves, and no way of escape. God often reveals himself in most unexpected ways. Literal Standard Version. Email Jack. Everyday Apostolic 2019 | All Rights Reserved, Gods Ability To Use Unlikely People Even Unbelievers, Canceling Church On Christmas Removes Christ From Christmas, Great Resources On Baptism In The Name Of Jesus, A Diluted Christianity: Oneness, Trinitarian, Or Is It All Just Irrelevant, Youre Not David Pastor Raymond Woodward, The Walking Bible Pastor Raymond Woodward, Wait On The Lord by James Wilson NAYC 2019, If I Shout/Lets Testify Medley FAC Sanctuary Choir. So through his death, he can have everlasting life on earth. We might be a life-hacking, productivity guru. But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren. In fact, in one place in scripture, God said that what He was doing could not be understood even if He explained it. Lesson 7 The Interpretation of Scripture, Lesson 5a Boundaries of the Doctrine of Creation, Primeval Chronology by Dr. William Henry Green, Lesson 8 Gods Special Providence & Miracles, Lesson 10 Assurance of Grace and Salvation, Lesson 2 Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience, Lesson 3 The Regulative Principle of Worship, Lesson 4a The Elements of Regulated Worship, Lesson 4b The Elements of Regulated Worship, Lesson 1 An Overview of Special Eschatology, Lesson 2 -The Great Tribulation of Matthew 24, Lesson 3 The Millennium of Revelation 20, A Guide for Small Group Bible Study Leaders, Defending the Biblical Faith by what God Shows Us, Lessons in the Westminster Shorter Catechsim, The Inspiration of the Treasured Word of God, Summary of the 45th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America, The Holy Spirit In the Ministry of the Word, The Necessity of Biblical Love in the Believers Life, Keep Your Bible Skills Sharp and Ready (part 2), Keep Your Bible Skills Sharp and Ready (Part 1). God strengthened Cyrus so that he could conquer nations and overcome opposition Thus says the Lord God to His 2. God Can Use Unbelievers part 1: Cyrus The Bible says, God was well pleased through the message preached to save those who believe (I Cor. Why tell Moses to lift up his staff and stretch out his hand over the see and be the instrument God would use to divide the sea? (see Acts 1:20). He clings to his sin like a drowning man to an iron life preserver. Another unlikely person used by God was King Cyrus of Persia. WebGod never does evil Himself. The fact that God ordains both the means and the ends should surely encourage us as we face our own trials. For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? The new Pharaoh saw the Israelites as a plague in the land. God Uses The way to heaven is only Jesus and Jesus only.. They probably said things like, See, God isnt doing anything no body ever gets punished, it cant be very serious. They had forgotten the longsuffering of the True God who made all things, and who rules as King over all kings. But what a privilege it is to be used by God! He betrayed the Lord but ended up vindicating him. Jesus is truly the lamb without blemish who died for the sins of the world (John 1:29). The evil ones believe pridefully that their own imagined gods have blessed them. Before the Apostle Paul wrote his letter he was known as Saul. We need to be reminded again and again that we are like grass disposable, temporary, fleeting, momentary. And that is okay. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? It even included the price Judas would receive for his act of treachery30 pieces of silver. For this reason God purposefully led the wondering multitude to a place where there was no possible way of escape from Pharaoh and his army, humanly speaking. But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. B) We entrust our lives to the God who cares for us. Those who look to themselves, will eventually and always reap their just punishment. Nothing that happened to Jesus that night or later on Good Friday made sense when it happened. This seems to be one of the reasons God had Moses lift up his staff and hands to divide the Red Sea. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. Nothing is ever left to chance with God. Summary I have not written a New York Times Bestseller, and no one has publicly endorsed, recommended, or vouched for me. 16:30), when he uses you or others, delivering you from your trials, be sure to praise, thank, and give Him all the glory for sovereignly using sinners. But it does mean everything will happen as God sees fit. God even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. If youd like an interesting Bible study, take a look at the trials of Jesus. The mind of evil changes from bad to worse being taken in by successes in conquest. Zechariah 11:1230 pieces of silver (see Matthew 26:15). A complete answer is impossible for who has known the mind of the Lord (Isa. He uses believers and unbelievers. God wants to use those who look away from their self-sufficiency to his all-sufficiency. Or see articles from other writers we feature Here. Why does God allow deception Because God does miracles by His own power. What does it mean that the righteous will live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4)? The Israelites and the church did face some tough times and we may too. So He brought their days to an end in futility And their years in sudden terror. God uses pathetic people for his glorious purposes to show his superior power. In the beginning Satan challenged Gods right to rule. 10:14-15). If God did the miracles without Moses, amazing things would have happened, but the people would not have known what was going on or what to do. Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. Understanding God in Troubled Times That pagan nation was struggling against Egypt for dominance. (Bible quotations are from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.). What does it mean that God came from Teman (Habakkuk 3:3). God use unbelievers to accomplish his will We return now to the original question: Why did God allow Judas to betray Jesus? His covenant is always enforced. Why does God allow deception 13:17). Jesus immediately restored the ear and told Peter to put down his sword. All of these people are unlikely choices to be used by God since they didnt truly know or believe in Him. God uses all those who humble themselves before the cross, boasting only in him his strength, his wisdom, his righteousness, his accomplishment. I dont have any letters after my name. We are saved by living faith in the Son of Godnot by outward religious observance. How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? This truth about Judas illustrates Gods control of every event in the universe. When Isaiah 53:1 speaks of the future coming of the Messiah, literally it says, who would have believed the thing reported? His birth as a baby who would grow up, suffer and die was most unexpected. Do not lament your insufficiency. Yet He was still able to accomplish His will through them. 28:25, The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them; and you shall become troublesome to all the kingdoms of the earth. I am a preacher and Bible teacher. This week I ate lunch with a man who has recently become an acquaintance through an e-mail correspondence. He fought against God and hoped to destroy the early church. 2:11). God In this wilderness they shall be destroyed, and there they will die. As for the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land and who returned and made all the congregation grumble against him by bringing out a bad report concerning the land, even those men who brought out the very bad report of the land died by a plague before the Lord. At the beginning of their sojourn, Joseph was ruler of Egypt, a son of Jacob, and watched over his own. I, the Lord, have spoken, surely this I will do to all this evil congregation who are gathered together against Me. A nation would come to judge them speaking in a language they did not understand (Deuteronomy 28:49). We see this all the way through the Bible. Gods sign of judgment was that they would hear foreign language on the streets of Jerusalem, speaking in a language they did not understand. Not one of these men, this evil generation, shall see the good land which I swore to give your fathers. Training for Preachers and Teachers of God's Word, Want to know what an RSS feed is and how it works? God uses pathetic people for his glorious purposes to show his superior power. God himself had foreordained every detail surrounding the death of his Son. But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. Jump to Previous Paul used this verse from Habakkuk to warn the foolish despisers of the gospel. The Lord can never be blamed for evil, but evil does not take p. God never does evil Himself. God Visit Justins personal website Here. I am not a rising star in any field, industry, or arena. Philippians 3:4-7 - although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. 2) If Jesus did descend into hell, why? A third reason God had Moses raise his staff and hands before dividing the Red Sea is that God delights to use sinners to accomplish His sovereign will. This is the grace of God as revealed in His merciful covenant. (1 Corinthians 1:2629). They looked to themselves for their power. Grace be with you. WebAnd then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will. Christianity is not about religion, its about a life-changing relationship with the Son of God. His betrayal proved that the Jewish leaders were far from innocent bystanders in the death of Christ. God promised to precede Cyrus and destroy all opposition that Cyrus would face: 'I will go before you and make the 3. His words imply that all the torment will be tolerable. God Uses Though absolutely sovereign, all knowing, all wise, and everywhere present, God uses sinners to accomplish His will. Many believed they were going to die and complained to Moses (Ex. Jump to Previous 28:49, The LORD will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flies, a nation whose language you will not understand. He reminded Peter that he could call for 12 legions of angels72,000 highly trained, heavily armed members of the Angelic Defense Leagueto come to his rescue at any moment. Our prayers do not alter Gods eternal decree. When we do that we become His instruments to accomplish His sovereign will. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away. Colby Schnacky Tiktok,
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Anyone who resists God risks falling into spiritual deception (2 God uses all those who humble themselves before the cross, boasting only in him his strength, his wisdom, his righteousness, his accomplishment. WebThe one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. Now relax your hand! And the angel of the Lord was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. But Habakkuks confusion was not doubt. Why? God use non-believers to help His people But all of them come from the hand of the Lord. I also answer yes. I have an unimpressive family background and do not come from a long line of important people. Because God created all He can use anything in creation. WebGod never does evil Himself. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. Bible Hub As far as Pilate was concerned, he was ordering an innocent man put to deathwhich is why he tried to wash his hands of the whole affair. Jesus responded to the false testimony by saying nothing at all. They all come for violence; Their faces are set like the east wind. God has the amazing ability to do things that simply do not make sense to mankind. In the process, we will also find an answer to a third question, Who are the sons of God in Gen. 6? If you like solving mysteries, you will love this, "Churches are going apostate inside their comfortable church buildings! Did Jesus Descend Into Hell? When Moses spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, the people mourned greatly. Habakkuk 1:5, Look among the nations and watch Be utterly astounded! God will use it even if you do not understand how. But now, I pray, let the power of the Lord be great, just as You have declared, Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Your lovingkindness, just as You also have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now., but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the. God blesses those in whom he stirs to obedience, and judges disobedience. Click here. The book of proverbs also gives us insight into this. The gospel writers record many Old Testament prophecies that were fulfilled in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. At my own local church, and everywhere else I go, faithful men and women record my sermons in audio and sometimes video. WebGod Can Use Unbelievers part 1: Cyrus 1. He is the preeminent insider who knew Jesus as well as anyone has ever known himyet in the end never really knew him at all. In Acts 2 God poured out His Holy Spirit on the disciples who spoke on the streets of Jerusalem in the languages of the Gentiles who were present. Do not lament your insufficiency. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. In the time of the New Testament after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we see the expansion of Gods Covenant to include Gentile believers drawn to the Savor by the Gospel. I have not been named most influential, listed as most attractive, or voted most likely to succeed. And how will they hear without a preacher? God scoffs at any attempt by me or you to prove our worthiness. Their chargers charge ahead; Their cavalry comes from afar; They fly as the eagle that hastens to eat. God was rejecting their national privilege, and turning to the Gentiles to populate his Covenant Nation on Earth. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. Suggestions? God sovereignly saves sinners, yet, He often uses sinners to accomplish His sovereign will. They were in an impossible situation with no way out. As we saw in the first four verses of this book, Habakkuk was confused. New American Standard Bible Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. The glory of His nature and attributes will be made known in full. Eventually, Pharaoh decided to use the Jews for slave labor. God Will Use Even You Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. All of it happened according to Gods plan. Wisdom alone, though, is insufficient. so that they might escape from the devil's snare, even though they've been held captive by him to do his will. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. WebWhat if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 1 Peter 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. According to the number of days which you spied out the land, forty days, for every day you shall bear your guilt a year, even forty years, and you will know My opposition. Although God was at work in the betrayal, you couldnt see it that night. From the earliest days of Jesus life we find the Jewish leaders conspiring against him. Then his mind changes, and he transgresses; He commits offense, Ascribing this power to his god.. Acts 2:23 tells us that Jesus was delivered up, by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death. WebGod will never set man's will aside and use him for a good purpose without his being willing to be used. Providence means that God is in charge of the entire universe at all times and nothing happens outside his control. WebJohn 3:16. When we reach a dead end in our own resources, God can part the sea of the impossible and get us through, but I digress. Judas served Gods purposes even though what he did was wrong and he ended up in hell. He was ready to die for his Master and intended to take a few of the bad guys with him. For who resists His will?, For He says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.. Yet, Solomon turned away from God (1 Kings 11:4, 912). Every evil in the world must somehow serve Gods purpose. Two questions stand out: 1) Did Jesus actually descend into hell? Will we show forth Gods glory in our obedience and in our receiving of His covenant blessing? It doesnt matter if you have theology degrees or mothered a dozen healthy, happy children or started several 501(c)3s to feed the poor and end trafficking. But if anyone says to you, This is meat sacrificed to idols, do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience sake; I mean not your own conscience, but the other mans; for why is my freedom judged by anothers conscience? They thank me for posting my sermons on the internet. Soon they will be raised up from that struggle to full power. Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 6:10). 10 people that God used to accomplish his purposes I. Paul: The one with a shameful past and challenging present (4:18) Colossians 4:18 - I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. He uses believers and unbelievers. Remember my imprisonment. Believer, dont think that your faithful service to your local body of believers is insignificant or accounts for little or nothing. In their very act of oppression, they unknowingly serve the glory of the Creator. We have one life to use, and the usefulness of that one life depends not on our rsum or even how much we know. He didnt accept evil apathetically, he was appalled by it. But our God is mightier than any office or country. verses about Unbelievers His plan in doing so was to bless all people. Which is why they completely missed the Messiah when they stood right beside Him. The unbelievers, become confused, not remembering ever having the opportunity to serve Jesus. The unbeliever has made an exchangethe truth for a lieand the devil is happy to facilitate the swap by presenting the sinner with a wide array of lies from which to choose. Do not begrudge your weakness. During this period, foreign powers invaded Israel again and again, and inside the nation known as Gods people, evil and immorality raged. They had no weapons to fight Pharaohs army, no experience in war, no ability to defend themselves, and no way of escape. God often reveals himself in most unexpected ways. Literal Standard Version. Email Jack. Everyday Apostolic 2019 | All Rights Reserved, Gods Ability To Use Unlikely People Even Unbelievers, Canceling Church On Christmas Removes Christ From Christmas, Great Resources On Baptism In The Name Of Jesus, A Diluted Christianity: Oneness, Trinitarian, Or Is It All Just Irrelevant, Youre Not David Pastor Raymond Woodward, The Walking Bible Pastor Raymond Woodward, Wait On The Lord by James Wilson NAYC 2019, If I Shout/Lets Testify Medley FAC Sanctuary Choir. So through his death, he can have everlasting life on earth. We might be a life-hacking, productivity guru. But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren. In fact, in one place in scripture, God said that what He was doing could not be understood even if He explained it. Lesson 7 The Interpretation of Scripture, Lesson 5a Boundaries of the Doctrine of Creation, Primeval Chronology by Dr. William Henry Green, Lesson 8 Gods Special Providence & Miracles, Lesson 10 Assurance of Grace and Salvation, Lesson 2 Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience, Lesson 3 The Regulative Principle of Worship, Lesson 4a The Elements of Regulated Worship, Lesson 4b The Elements of Regulated Worship, Lesson 1 An Overview of Special Eschatology, Lesson 2 -The Great Tribulation of Matthew 24, Lesson 3 The Millennium of Revelation 20, A Guide for Small Group Bible Study Leaders, Defending the Biblical Faith by what God Shows Us, Lessons in the Westminster Shorter Catechsim, The Inspiration of the Treasured Word of God, Summary of the 45th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America, The Holy Spirit In the Ministry of the Word, The Necessity of Biblical Love in the Believers Life, Keep Your Bible Skills Sharp and Ready (part 2), Keep Your Bible Skills Sharp and Ready (Part 1). God strengthened Cyrus so that he could conquer nations and overcome opposition Thus says the Lord God to His 2. God Can Use Unbelievers part 1: Cyrus The Bible says, God was well pleased through the message preached to save those who believe (I Cor. Why tell Moses to lift up his staff and stretch out his hand over the see and be the instrument God would use to divide the sea? (see Acts 1:20). He clings to his sin like a drowning man to an iron life preserver. Another unlikely person used by God was King Cyrus of Persia. WebGod never does evil Himself. The fact that God ordains both the means and the ends should surely encourage us as we face our own trials. For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? The new Pharaoh saw the Israelites as a plague in the land. God Uses The way to heaven is only Jesus and Jesus only.. They probably said things like, See, God isnt doing anything no body ever gets punished, it cant be very serious. They had forgotten the longsuffering of the True God who made all things, and who rules as King over all kings. But what a privilege it is to be used by God! He betrayed the Lord but ended up vindicating him. Jesus is truly the lamb without blemish who died for the sins of the world (John 1:29). The evil ones believe pridefully that their own imagined gods have blessed them. Before the Apostle Paul wrote his letter he was known as Saul. We need to be reminded again and again that we are like grass disposable, temporary, fleeting, momentary. And that is okay. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? It even included the price Judas would receive for his act of treachery30 pieces of silver. For this reason God purposefully led the wondering multitude to a place where there was no possible way of escape from Pharaoh and his army, humanly speaking. But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. B) We entrust our lives to the God who cares for us. Those who look to themselves, will eventually and always reap their just punishment. Nothing that happened to Jesus that night or later on Good Friday made sense when it happened. This seems to be one of the reasons God had Moses lift up his staff and hands to divide the Red Sea. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. Nothing is ever left to chance with God. Summary I have not written a New York Times Bestseller, and no one has publicly endorsed, recommended, or vouched for me. 16:30), when he uses you or others, delivering you from your trials, be sure to praise, thank, and give Him all the glory for sovereignly using sinners. But it does mean everything will happen as God sees fit. God even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. If youd like an interesting Bible study, take a look at the trials of Jesus. The mind of evil changes from bad to worse being taken in by successes in conquest. Zechariah 11:1230 pieces of silver (see Matthew 26:15). A complete answer is impossible for who has known the mind of the Lord (Isa. He uses believers and unbelievers. God wants to use those who look away from their self-sufficiency to his all-sufficiency. Or see articles from other writers we feature Here. Why does God allow deception Because God does miracles by His own power. What does it mean that the righteous will live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4)? The Israelites and the church did face some tough times and we may too. So He brought their days to an end in futility And their years in sudden terror. God uses pathetic people for his glorious purposes to show his superior power. In the beginning Satan challenged Gods right to rule. 10:14-15). If God did the miracles without Moses, amazing things would have happened, but the people would not have known what was going on or what to do. Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. Understanding God in Troubled Times That pagan nation was struggling against Egypt for dominance. (Bible quotations are from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.). What does it mean that God came from Teman (Habakkuk 3:3). God use unbelievers to accomplish his will We return now to the original question: Why did God allow Judas to betray Jesus? His covenant is always enforced. Why does God allow deception 13:17). Jesus immediately restored the ear and told Peter to put down his sword. All of these people are unlikely choices to be used by God since they didnt truly know or believe in Him. God uses all those who humble themselves before the cross, boasting only in him his strength, his wisdom, his righteousness, his accomplishment. I dont have any letters after my name. We are saved by living faith in the Son of Godnot by outward religious observance. How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? This truth about Judas illustrates Gods control of every event in the universe. When Isaiah 53:1 speaks of the future coming of the Messiah, literally it says, who would have believed the thing reported? His birth as a baby who would grow up, suffer and die was most unexpected. Do not lament your insufficiency. Yet He was still able to accomplish His will through them. 28:25, The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them; and you shall become troublesome to all the kingdoms of the earth. I am a preacher and Bible teacher. This week I ate lunch with a man who has recently become an acquaintance through an e-mail correspondence. He fought against God and hoped to destroy the early church. 2:11). God In this wilderness they shall be destroyed, and there they will die. As for the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land and who returned and made all the congregation grumble against him by bringing out a bad report concerning the land, even those men who brought out the very bad report of the land died by a plague before the Lord. At the beginning of their sojourn, Joseph was ruler of Egypt, a son of Jacob, and watched over his own. I, the Lord, have spoken, surely this I will do to all this evil congregation who are gathered together against Me. A nation would come to judge them speaking in a language they did not understand (Deuteronomy 28:49). We see this all the way through the Bible. Gods sign of judgment was that they would hear foreign language on the streets of Jerusalem, speaking in a language they did not understand. Not one of these men, this evil generation, shall see the good land which I swore to give your fathers. Training for Preachers and Teachers of God's Word, Want to know what an RSS feed is and how it works? God uses pathetic people for his glorious purposes to show his superior power. God himself had foreordained every detail surrounding the death of his Son. But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. Jump to Previous Paul used this verse from Habakkuk to warn the foolish despisers of the gospel. The Lord can never be blamed for evil, but evil does not take p. God never does evil Himself. God Visit Justins personal website Here. I am not a rising star in any field, industry, or arena. Philippians 3:4-7 - although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. 2) If Jesus did descend into hell, why? A third reason God had Moses raise his staff and hands before dividing the Red Sea is that God delights to use sinners to accomplish His sovereign will. This is the grace of God as revealed in His merciful covenant. (1 Corinthians 1:2629). They looked to themselves for their power. Grace be with you. WebAnd then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will. Christianity is not about religion, its about a life-changing relationship with the Son of God. His betrayal proved that the Jewish leaders were far from innocent bystanders in the death of Christ. God promised to precede Cyrus and destroy all opposition that Cyrus would face: 'I will go before you and make the 3. His words imply that all the torment will be tolerable. God Uses Though absolutely sovereign, all knowing, all wise, and everywhere present, God uses sinners to accomplish His will. Many believed they were going to die and complained to Moses (Ex. Jump to Previous 28:49, The LORD will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flies, a nation whose language you will not understand. He reminded Peter that he could call for 12 legions of angels72,000 highly trained, heavily armed members of the Angelic Defense Leagueto come to his rescue at any moment. Our prayers do not alter Gods eternal decree. When we do that we become His instruments to accomplish His sovereign will. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away.