Coffee House Chapel #5

November 25

Romans 11:33, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”

We do not understand God’s ways! We’ve looked at Abraham, Moses, and the Nation of Israel, and it would appear that God took the long way each time - when dealing with them. Today, we will look at:

4. David. The king whose throne Messiah will sit upon during the Millennium! The king who wrote many of the beautiful Psalms in our Bible. The king whose heart was towards the Lord. The king considered the greatest king in all of Israel.

Consider this! David was a very young man when God rejected Saul as king, and Samuel anointed him to be the next king of Israel. Before David became king, he served Saul for several years and he was chased by Saul all over the Middle East for several years. David did not become king until Saul’s death, when he was thirty-three years old. In fact, David was initially king only of the southern territories and did not become king of all Israel until he was forty years old.

My question is twofold! How could God have allowed Saul to reign so long? Why would God keep a man like David, who obviously had exceptional leadership qualities and an excellent character, languishing in the “wings” so long? The only answer I can accept (though I will not profess to understand) is that “God’s ways are past finding out!” Dr. Robert T. Ketchum had a favorite saying that went something like this, “Our God is to loving to be unkind, and to wise to make mistakes!”

Friends, have a great Thanksgiving, and may God richly bless each and everyone of you!

Adapted from “Romans” by Boice.

In Christ,
Dan Todd

 

November 26

Romans 11:33, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”

5. Paul. Paul was marvelously saved by the grace of God. It is something we would expect God to do. But what happened after Paul’s conversion? He spent three years in the wilderness (Gal 1:17-18). After Paul’s three years in the “Backside Bible Institute,” it appears that is was still some time before God called him into active missionary service (Paul may have been in his mid-life years at the time of his call).

Where did Paul want to go and preach? To Rome. Where did Paul go and preach? To the “hinterlands” of Asia Minor. Yes, Paul did eventually get to go to Rome, but as a prisoner. He spent most of his time there in prison chains.

Here is how Paul described his missionary years, “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” (2 Cor 11:24-28)

The work Paul tended to was difficult work. In the flesh we might wondered why it had to be that way! Surely God could have made it much easier on Paul. Surely God could have given Paul more time on earth to pen more letters that would probably have been included in the Bible. Perhaps there are some who think that God does not care! But we know that God cares, “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6-7)

Again, I can only say with the apostle, “ how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”

Adapted from “Romans” by Boice.

In Christ,
Dan Todd

 

November 28

Romans 11:33, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”

We have looked at several examples of God’s “ways [that are] past finding out!” We have one more to look at today:

6. Jesus. I can think of no one who had the hand of God on him - more than Jesus. The Father said of Jesus, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matt 3:17)

J. I. Packer writes: “No human life has ever been so completely guided by God, and no human life has ever qualified so comprehensively for the description ‘a man of sorrows.’ Divine guidance set Jesus at a distance from His family and fellow-townsmen, brought Him into conflict with all the nation’s leaders, religious and civil, and led finally to betrayal, arrest, and the cross....

“By every human standard of reckoning, the cross was a waste – the waste of a young life, a prophet’s influence, a leader’s potential. We know the secret of its meaning and achievement only from God’s own statements.”

Yes, we do know the meaning and achievement of the cross - but only because God has told us in His Word. “The most miserable of lives was actually the greatest of God’s achievements.” (Boice) Jesus and the cross was the means of God providing for our salvation. The “waste” of the cross is the focal point of history – and it is the highest of achievements. “And because we know that, we know that each of the other stories, including our own, is also part of a plan that – though beyond our complete tracing out – is nevertheless a sure and perfect plan, which will have a grand and blessed consummation.” (Boice)

Adapted from “Romans” by Boice.

In Christ,
Dan Todd

 

November 30

Romans 11:33, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”

Each of the lives we’ve looked at over the past few devotionals seem incomprehensible. When we use our own reasoning and wisdom, there is no explanation for what God did in these lives. “Yet each was part of God’s perfect plan” (Boice), and perhaps we saw that most clearly in the life of Jesus.

Why was Isaac’s birth delayed for so long? Abraham may never have fully understood why God worked in his life as He did, while he was alive. Isaac was a type of Jesus (the miracle of his birth)! Abraham’s steadfast faith became a model for all who trust God, and it is an encouragement to us in difficult times.

Moses’ forty years tending sheep, Israel’s forty year wilderness journey, and David’s reign being delayed were all intended to build character, godly character. God taught each that He was “more than adequate to their every human need.” (Boice)

Paul explained his odyssey in Scripture: “[These things happened] that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead.” (2 Cor 1:9); “ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (2 Cor 4:7); and “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Cor 4:16-18)

There are two important lessons we can learn from God’s amazing ways, the first is: Do not lose heart. “Perhaps you are one who has been losing heart. You began the Christian life with confidence some years ago, but the details of your life have not worked out as you expected. As far as you can tell, you have not become a great saint. You are no great model of what it is to be a prayer warrior, neither have you been terribly effective as an evangelist. Even your personal relationships have not gone as smoothly or as triumphantly as you had hoped. And much of your work, even your Christian work, seems wasted. Don’t lose heart! God knows what He is doing with your life. You cannot search out His eternal decrees of judgments or perceive the end of the path on which He has been leading you, but this does not mean that God is confused, the outcome doubtful, or the final achievement vague. Fix your eyes on what is not seen – on God. Trust Him and go on.” (Boice)

We will consider the second important lesson next devotional.

Adapted from “Romans” by Boice.

In Christ,
Dan Todd

 

December 2

Romans 11:33, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”

There are two important lessons to learn about God’s amazing ways! The first, which we looked at last time, is “Do not lose heart!” The second is, “Outwardly we are wasting away!”

For some that may be literally true. In my nearly two years posting on BB, I’ve talked with many who have severe medical problems. It may be cancer, heart trouble or the ravages of senior citizenship. Some have lost limbs, others have limbs that do not work. Some (like myself) have diabetes, others one of many serious illnesses. Some have lost loved ones, others have lost jobs. One question that often is heard from any one of us - with any of the above listed problems - is WHY? I certainly cannot answer that question with any specificity. “What God does with us in detail is not revealed in Scripture. It is one of the secret things that belong to God only. But that does not mean the painful path He calls you to walk has no purpose. It is how you conduct yourself in such ‘wasting times’ that is the stuff of victory.” (Boice)

Each of us need to lift our eyes from our own problems (which truly are passing), and set our eyes upon Him who is invisible – but does everything well. No matter what we are called upon to endure in this life, nothing compares to the price our Savior paid while paying the price for our sin.

The English writer W. H. Burleigh penned the following lines that I trust will be a blessing to you:

“Still will we trust, though earth seem dark and dreary,
And the heart faints beneath his chast’ning rod;
Though rough and steep our pathway, worn and weary,
Still will we trust in God.

“Our eyes see dimly ‘til by faith anointed,
And our blind choosing brings us grief and pain;
Through him alone, who hath our way appointed,
We find our peace again.

“Choose for us, God, nor let our weak preferring
Cheat us of good thou hast for us designed;
Choose for us, God; thy wisdom is unerring,
And we are fools and blind.

“Let us press on, in patient self-denial,
Accept the hardship, shrink not from the loss;
Our portion lies beyond the hour of trial,
Our crown beyond the cross.”

2 Timothy 4:8, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

Here we have suffering and pain – there we will have a “crown of righteousness!”

Adapted from “Romans” by Boice.

In Christ,
Dan Todd

 

December 4

Romans 11:34, “For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller?”

“William Beebe (1877-1962) was a biologist, explorer, and author, and he was also a personal friend of Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), the twenty-sixth president of the United States. He used to visit Roosevelt at Sagamore Hill, his home near Oyster Bay, Long Island, and he tells of a little game they used to play together. After an evening of talk, they would go outside onto the lawn surrounding the great house and search the sky until they found the faint spot of light beyond the lower left corner of the great square of Pegasus. One of them would recite: ‘That is the Spiral Galaxy in Andromeda. It is a large as the Milky Way. It is one of a hundred million galaxies. It consists of one hundred billion suns, each larger than our sun.’ Then Roosevelt would grin at Beebe and say, ‘Now I think we are small enough! Let’s go to bed.’”(Boice)

Paul previously marvelled at the riches of wisdom, knowledge, judgments and ways of God in Romans 11:33. Now Paul makes a contrast between the unsearchable grandeur of God and the extreme smallness of man. Look at the verses that follow! Verse 33, “For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller?” and verse 34, “Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?” Paul quotes from the Old Testament - a pattern he uses when finishing an argument - Isaiah 40:13, “Who hath directed the spirit of the Lord, or being his counseller hath taught him?”

God asked Job a similar question, Job 15:8, “ Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?” – and Jeremiah writes along the same line, “For who hath stood in the counsel of the Lord, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?” (23:18) The answer to these questions – no human being – no matter how wise – even begins to compare with the knowledge and wisdom of our Great God! F. Godet writes, “The first question contrasts the always limited knowledge of man with the infinite knowledge of God ... The second goes further, it bears on the relation between human and divine wisdom. It is no longer merely the discovery of the secrets of God by the study of His works which is in question, but some good counsel which man might have been called to give to the Creator in the organizing of His plans.”

As Paul continues to think about God and His attributes – he also turns from those attributes to man’s limitations. To show just how small man really is, the apostle magnifies our limitations by measuring them against the infinite - unlimited God.

Truly we stand as nothing before our Mighty God.

Adapted from “Romans” by Boice.

In Christ,
Dan Todd

 

December 6

Romans 11:34, “For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller?”

Last time we considered how small we are in comparison to God. Actually, we are nothing, when we are compared to God. Today we will consider just how little we know, especially when we put our knowledge up against the knowledge of the Almighty!

The story of Job stands as a great illustration. Job had it all - wealth - health - and a great family. Job was also a godly man, in fact God Himself remarked about Job’s character, “Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” (Job 1:8) In a short period, Job lost nearly all he had. Gone were his children, his wealth, and his health.

Job had three “friends” who comforted him. These friends tried to explain why these terrible things happened to Job. The friends understood that they lived in a cause-and-effect universe, and they determined that Job must have done some great sin that was being punished. In many cases, the friends counsel may have been correct - but in Job’s case - God disagreed with them, “Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?” (Job 38:2)

The problem with the friends counsel is that “they lacked sufficient knowledge to discern what God was doing. As the story points out at the beginning, God was waging war against the slanders and lies of Satan. Satan claimed that Job served God only because of what he got out of it, a standard utilitarian argument. God maintained that Job loved God because of who God was, regardless of what it might bring to him personally.” (Boice) Satan maintained that Job loved God - because God had blessed Job with wealth. Then Satan accused that Job loved God - because God had given Job good health.

Job’s friends knew none of the heavenly contest between God and Satan. Though they had a reasonably good idea of God’s moral laws and requirements - they knew nothing of what God was doing in heaven - and so God rebuked them. We’ll continue looking at this next time!

Adapted from “Romans” by Boice.

In Christ,
Dan Todd

 

December 8

Romans 11:34, “For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller?”

We need to look at the nature of God’s rebuke to Job’s friends and to Job himself. God did not rebuke them because they were unaware of the cosmic struggle between Himself and Satan, but because they did not understand the things they were able to see. For example, they could not explain the origins of the earth, “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.” (Job 38:4) Scientists, as brilliant as they profess to be, still cannot explain that! Job and friends could not control the weather, “Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?” (Job 38:8) Weather forecasters cannot accurately predict storms today - even with all their advanced scientific instruments, much less control the weather. (Someone once said that “little children who lie, grow up to be weather forecasters!”) “God chides Job and his friends for their profound and extensive ignorance of all natural forces – light and darkness; rain, snow, wind; the intricacies of the heavens; animal instincts and behavior; the migration patterns of birds and fish; and countless other observable phenomena.” (Boice)

Do you begin to see the point God is trying to make to Job and his friends. If people cannot explain what they can see – how will they ever be able to explain what they cannot see. We cannot contribute to God’s perfect knowledge. The only thing we can do, like Job, is proclaim,
“I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:2-6)

Job displayed humility at his incomprehension, and awe before God as he praised Him!

Adapted from “Romans” by Boice.

In Christ,
Dan Todd

 

Charles,

It's amazing - for as smart as they profess to be - they're illiterate when it comes to the Bible!

 

December 10

Romans 11:34, “For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller?”

The first part of our text simply stated is - we humans have an extreme lack of knowledge! The second phrase deals with wisdom, and how little of it we humans really possess!

The Book of Ecclesiastes reveals the limits of man wisdom, “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity - Eccl. 1:2. [The NIV has an interesting take on the verse, "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless."] Solomon lists several things that are vanity or meaningless: wisdom; pleasures; wisdom and folly; toil; advancement; and riches!

Boice asks, “...how are we to understand Ecclesiastes? Is this merely the last words of an embittered cynic, which we can completely discount?” Of course the answer to that question is a resounding NO, as 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

Ecclesiastes “shows us the limit and hence the folly of human wisdom apart from revelation.” (Boice) J. I. Packer puts it this way:

“Look (says the preacher) at the sort of world we live in. Take off you rose-colored spectacles, rub your eyes, and look at it long and hard. What do you see? You see life’s background set by aimlessly recurring cycles in nature (1:4ff.). You see its shape fixed by times and circumstances over which we have no control (3:1ff.; 9:11ff.). You see death coming to everyone sooner or later, but coming haphazard; its coming bears no relation to good or ill desert (7:15, 8:8). Men die like beasts (3:19f.), good men like bad, wise men like fools (2:14, 17; 9:2f.). You see evil running rampant (3:16; 4:1; 5:8; 8:11; 9:3); rotters get on, good men don’t (8:14). Seeing all this, you realize that God’s ordering of events is inscrutable; much as you want to make it out, you cannot do so (3:11; 7:13f.; 8:17 RV; 11:5). The harder you try to understand the divine purpose in the ordinary providential course of events, the more obsessed and oppressed you grow with the apparent aimlessness of everything, and the more you are tempted to conclude that life really is as pointless as it looks.

“But once you conclude that there really is no rhyme or reason in things, what ‘profit’ – value, gain, point, purpose – can you find henceforth in any sort of constructive endeavor (1:3; 2:11, 22; 3:9; 5:16)? If life is senseless, then it is valueless; and in that case, what use is it working to create things, to build a business, to make money, even to seek wisdom – for none of this can do you any obvious good (2:15f., 22f.; 5:11); it will only make you an object of envy (4:4); you can’t take any of it with you (2:18ff.; 4:8; 5:15f.); and what you leave behind will probably be mismanaged after you have gone (2:19). What point, then, in sweating and toiling at anything? Must not all man’s work be judged ‘vanity (emptiness, frustration) and a striving after wind’ (1:14 RV)?”

Boice wisely summarizes this for us, “Apart from what God is doing in Jesus Christ and in our lives, the last part of which is at best only partially revealed to us, everything is indeed ‘meaningless.’ There is more, of course. There is what God is doing, what He reveals. But before we can see those things, we need to see that there is no meaning in anything apart from them. One of the great proofs of our lack of wisdom is that we do not see even this fundamental point of earthly wisdom clearly.”

Adapted from “Romans” by Boice.

In Christ,
Dan Todd