If you have been following along in the sermon series on 1st Peter you know that the Apostle worked diligently to keep disciples of Jesus Christ attuned to how God was at work in the midst of their struggles. I know that for most Christians it’s relatively straightforward to acknowledge, at least at a theoretical level, that God is conforming us to the image of Christ through difficulties (Romans 8:28-29 [show]Romans 8:28-29
[28]And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,(1) for those who are called according to his purpose. [29]For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (ESV)
Footnotes
1. [8:28] Some manuscripts 'God works all things together for good', or 'God works in all things for the good'
). For most of us the discouragement comes when we cannot see tangible signs of how our hardships fit into the “big picture” of God’s plan to redeem the universe (Ephesians 3:7-13 [show]Ephesians 3:7-13
[7]Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. [8]To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, [9]and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in(1) God who created all things, [10]so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. [11]This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, [12]in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. [13]So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. (ESV)
Footnotes
1. [3:9] Or 'by'
) . John Piper has written a recent blog post that is relevant to this issue which reads in part….
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God cannot make plain all he is doing, because there are millions and millions and millions and millions of effects of every event in your life, the good and the bad. God guides them all. They all have micro purposes and macro purposes. He cannot tell you all of them because your brain can’t hold all of them.
Trust does not demand more than God has told us. And he has given us immeasurably precious promises that he is in control of all things and only does good to his children. And he has given us a very thick book where we can read story after story after story about how he rules for the good of his people.
Let’s trust him and not ask for what our brains cannot contain.
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Read the whole thing and see an illustration of this point by clicking HERE
