Sep
25
2009
Trusting God When We Cannot Trace Him
Justin Taylor reminded me of some great lines out of J.I. Packer’s classic book, Knowing God (p. 97). In it, Packer writes about how to understand the “unexpected and upsetting and discouraging things” that happen to us. What do they mean?
Simply that God in his wisdom means to make something of us which we have not attained yet, and he is dealing with us accordingly.
(In his post, Justin wisely cautions us to resist the temptation to skim over that line.)
Then Packer ponders the possible purposes God might have in mind for you:
Perhaps he means to strengthen us in patience, good humor, compassion, humility, or meekness, by giving us some extra practice in exercising these graces under especially difficult conditions.
Perhaps he has new lessons in self-denial and self-distrust to teach us.
Perhaps he wishes to break us of complacency, or unreality, or undetected forms of pride and conceit.
Perhaps his purpose is simply to draw us closer to himself in conscious communion with him; for it is often the case, as all the saints know, that fellowship with the Father and the Son is most vivid and sweet, and Christian joy is greatest, when the cross is heaviest. . . .
Or perhaps God is preparing us for forms of service of which at present we have no inkling.
Packer continues:
We may be frankly bewildered at things that happen to us, but God knows exactly what he is doing, and what he is after, in his handling of our affairs. Always, and in everything, he is wise: we shall see that hereafter, even where we never saw it here. . . . Meanwhile, we ought not to hesitate to trust his wisdom, even when he leaves us in the dark.
But how should we respond to baffling and trying situations when we cannot now see God’s purpose in them?
First, by taking them as from God, and asking ourselves what reactions to them, and in them, the gospel of God requires of us;
Second, by seeking God’s face specifically about them.
“If we do these two things,” Packer writes, “we shall never find ourselves wholly in the dark as to God’s purpose in our troubles.”
Given all of the unexpected things that have happened and are happening in my life–in the life of our church–Packer’s lines are a great reminder that faith trusts God even when it cannot trace him. God is doing something in your life, in my life, and in the life of our one new church that is above and beyond anything we could ever ask for or imagine.
So, as hard as these days have been, hang on. God promises that the best is yet to come. Think big. This is going to be amazing.
19 Comments
Great words Tullian that I know so many people will be blessed to hear. Praying, trusting, and praying more….
Megan
Good post.
Reminds me of the Babbie Mason song:
God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don’t understand
When you don’t see His plan
When you can’t trace His hand
Trust His heart
I love that book, among my top ten. Praying for you in the days to come regarding your one new church and your dad.
Praying for you and our church. Thinking big. Holding on. bh
Pastor
I firmly believe that God is getting the church ready, and she will be ready because the bible said that Jesus will come back for a church without spot, blemishish or any such thing….We only need to continue obeying the Word of God and moving by His Spirit. We also know from Gods Word some in the church will not be ready. As in the story of the five wise and five foolish virgins.
Paul
Thank you, Tullian for this.. It certainly is timely and necessary.
You are right. We need to look up to God and trust HIM alone. We need to have faith in HIM. HE knows what he is doing, even if we (I) sometimes can’t quite understand it.
Thank goodness GOD doesn’t leave us out to pasture.. He provides daily for us through many means, — HIS word, HIS church, HIS providentially appointed pastor, and HIS flock, to help guide us through the times together when we can’t trace HIM.
Continuing in faithful service & trusting in HIS one new church,
Laura Testa
Thanks for this post. It sure gives a short, but very biblical perspective on trials and difficult situations in life.
I’ve been blogging the daily readings for my church. This week, it’s been Matthew, the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus’ words continually remind us in these passages of the separation between God and mammon, that we can’t serve two masters. Especially there is an emphasis on the choice for image or “praise of men” versus this hidden relationship with God our Father which we cultivate in secret. No matter what happens in life or how much “success” you attain that can be counted on fingers in the future, Pastor, I believe that you will look back and never be prouder of yourself than when you stood to lose everything because you put God first. You will never have been more fully alive (“life in abundance” is that promise). Truly the real victory is in making the choice God asks you to. For our Lord, that meant homelessness and poverty and death on a cross. We shouldn’t forget.
Janine, all I can say is thank-you and AMEN! Christ plus nothing equals everything. I believe it. I believe it with all my being.
PEACE!!
God has been blessing both of us with critical challenges, Tullian, so I am able to empathize with you more than I might have otherwise. He’s hit me in one of my most cherished areas – pride. I don’t know if you feel that he’s touched a particularly susceptible place for you, but “I feel your pain” if he has…….
You and you family continue to be in prayers every day – let’s both KEEP LOOKING UP!
Perhaps he means to strengthen us in patience, good humor, compassion, humility, or meekness, by giving us some extra practice in exercising these graces under especially difficult conditions. (it has always been comforting for me, in the end of (or during) some great trial, to trust that God is in complete control at all times…no matter what I’ve done, or how foolish I’ve behaved.)
Published by: Multnomah Books
Ten Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe -Larry Osborne
The author claims in Ch. 6, under this caption: ‘Don’t Blame God’ p.93
And I quote: “The bible makes it clear that there are a number of scenarios where the dark trials of our lives have nothing to do with God’s wonderful plan for our lives.” He also says,” God is in control, but that doesn’t mean he’s the direct cause of everything that happens.
Is this a doctrinal issue?
I heard the author on 90.3, and the discussion went well enough to spark an interest in the book. But can you please tell me your opinion on this Tullian, because I have been wrestling with this notion, since I put the book down on my night stand two weeks ago. -Thank you.
Great words revealing the Sovereignty of God. Thank you for encouraging our hearts during turbulent times. Such a sustained comfort to know that He has ordained our daily trials and tribulations before the creation of time.
I am grateful for the power of His presence. We continue to pray for our one new church and for the recovery of your dad.
J.I Packer’s wise words ring melodious sounds of the gospel message. “Making something of us that we have not attained yet” gives point to the second verse in the song of creation, fall, and redemption. The fact that he describes it as “unexpected” suggest that the first verse of what had been created soon found itself in the sinful hands of man. The good news is that the third verse of redemption is not far behind. It is always a three verse song with a glorious crescendo. Creation, fall, and redemption: the sweetest music ever made.
Tullian, time at home right now, getting ready for the arrival of our 1st son (due in 2 weeks!), has given me more time to spend on the computer… so I’ve been eagerly keeping up just a bit w/the goings on at CRPC these last few weeks. As saddened as I’ve been for all that you & your family, and the church have been going through, I’m challenged & encouraged to see how you have & are embracing this journey as from the Lord (loved the Packer quote), & seeking to glorify and honor Him faithfully through it… and I am most deeply encouraged by your unwavering stance on Christ alone and His gospel throughout it all, no matter what else comes or fades away. He IS getting glory through this, & will continue to… I’m excited to watch as His desires for CR and Ft. Lauderdale continue to unfold as you and your flock seek to die to yourselves & live with utter joy the gospel-centered lives He’s called you to. How precious to be reminded of your grandmother’s beautiful example of a life completely centered on & surrendered to Christ, too… I needed to hear that song & message again! Give my love & hello to Kim!
It is definitely a difficult time at CRPC, I am very sadden at our loss of Dr. Wilson and Samuel Meztger, two outstanding musicians and worship leaders to say the least. I really hope that our traditional service is not on it’s way out. I realize that traditional worship style is not very popular or fashionable today, but it holds a great respect for and is very honoring to God. I am praying for the church.
Chuck Tiedje said: God has been blessing both of us with critical challenges, Tullian, so I am able to empathize with you more than I might have otherwise. He’s hit me in one of my most cherished areas – pride. I don’t know if you feel that he’s touched a particularly susceptible place for you, but “I feel your pain” if he has…….
Aww Chuck, youre not a bad person. I’m sure there are times when alot of us are a bit too proud and have to be brought down a notch or two by the Allmighty. Myself included. Let’s keep “looking UP” and pray that we become closer in our relationship to God for it.
[...] God when we cannot trace him Some great thoughts from Tullian Tchividjian on his blog, On Earth as it is in Heaven. He includes some excerpts [...]
thanks for this post, Pastor!