God helps me through contrasts
September 29, 2011 by John Knight
As God has done many times for me, I was confronted by two contrasting views of God’s sovereignty over just a few hours. One view was in a memoir by a parent about her child with disabilities; the other was an email from a dear family.
The memoir includes all the things we parents of children with disabilities understand: shock, anger, despair, contemplation, surprise, delight. But there is a lingering assertion throughout: God, explain yourself in ways that make sense to how I want you to be.
The email from our friends came with news about a new and difficult diagnosis for their child. The options are limited; the side effects of some medications are incredibly hard to bear. And there was a strong affirmation throughout: God, you are who you say you are, and we trust you.
The contrast was good for me. One thought hard about experiences. The other thought hard about scripture, and interpreted the experience in light of God’s word.
There are many things God chooses not to reveal. But he did reveal the most important thing, the most beautiful thing, the most necessary thing – Jesus. What God reveals in his word and when he grants us faith in Jesus, we know his goodness and love and mercy and wrath and kindness are so certain we can join with Paul in proclaiming:
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
“For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
“Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
(Romans 11:33-36 ESV)
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The Works of God 
God helps me through contrasts
September 29, 2011 by John Knight
As God has done many times for me, I was confronted by two contrasting views of God’s sovereignty over just a few hours. One view was in a memoir by a parent about her child with disabilities; the other was an email from a dear family.
The memoir includes all the things we parents of children with disabilities understand: shock, anger, despair, contemplation, surprise, delight. But there is a lingering assertion throughout: God, explain yourself in ways that make sense to how I want you to be.
The email from our friends came with news about a new and difficult diagnosis for their child. The options are limited; the side effects of some medications are incredibly hard to bear. And there was a strong affirmation throughout: God, you are who you say you are, and we trust you.
The contrast was good for me. One thought hard about experiences. The other thought hard about scripture, and interpreted the experience in light of God’s word.
There are many things God chooses not to reveal. But he did reveal the most important thing, the most beautiful thing, the most necessary thing – Jesus. What God reveals in his word and when he grants us faith in Jesus, we know his goodness and love and mercy and wrath and kindness are so certain we can join with Paul in proclaiming:
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
“For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
“Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
(Romans 11:33-36 ESV)
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