Unable

"A God whom we could understand exhaustively, and whose revelation of Himself confronted us with no mysteries whatsoever, would be a God in man's image, and therefore an imaginary God, not the God of the Bible at all."
J I Packer - Evangelism & The Sovereignty Of God

We cannot comprehend the sovereignty of God and the concept of human responsibility. Volumes have been written on it, and I will not even try to attempt to lay out an argument. God is sovereign but we are responsible for, accountable for, our actions. Go figure it out, I cannot (Nor can you).

I like how Packer takes it out in the above quote. Who are we to even think we can understand God? Do we even want a God we can fully understand? If we could, would not He be just one of us?

I for one am thrilled I cannot comprehend my God in all His fullness. I have faith in His character, that He is who He says He is and will do what he said He would. That is enough to comprehend.

And more than enough to live my life according to His will.


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Sometimes It Is Harder Than I Think It Should Be

Staying on The Narrow Road. I understand it in theory, I struggle with it in practice. If I were a car, I would say I have to tighten up the steering a bit because I keep running up on the shoulder or into the lane of oncoming traffic. Neither is where I want to be if I want to keep my life from winding in needing bodywork.

It can be frustrating to know what to do, but yet have so much trouble just doing it. Sinful beings in a fallen world, it sounds good as an explanation but also as an excuse. More accountability for actions and thoughts. Thoughts, yes indeed. Being accountable for what is going on inside that little pea brain of mine.

I think that is the real key. Being accountable for the things no one else can hold you accountable for, because only you know them. You and well, you and God,

That's what keeps me trying. My Savior asked me to. And I do so want to try harder to do as He asked, in love and gracious mercy. It's the least I can do.

And it pains me when I do it with my least.

What Does It Take

Here is a verse I kicked around in my head quite a bit yesterday, having read it as part of my morning time in the Word:

But on the next day all the congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, "You are the ones who have caused the death of the LORD'S people." Numbers 16:41 (NASB)

If you read Numbers 13-16 you see a lot going on leading up to this. Distrust of the Lord, rebellion against His will, rebellion against His appointed leaders. A lot of smiting, a lot of Moses and Aaron interceding to keep God from punishing the nation of Israel even more for their rebellion. All this going on when the manifestation of God's physical presence on earth at the tent of meeting.

So there you have it. Rebellion in the physical presence of God; grumbling and ingratitude. Lots of people die, lots of punishment meted out. And oh yeah, you are on the doorstep of the promised land and now it's 40 years of wandering the desert until all the grumblers die off. You think they would have learned at this point. The earth opening up and swallowing several hundreds of people should still the rebellious heart.

And they get up the next morning and start complaining as if they were the victims instead of accomplices. I guess the only lesson they learned was not to grumble directly at God, but His chosen instruments and messengers. It took the sign of Aaron's budding staff to get the people to acknowledge what faith and their circumstances should have made obvious.

Let me not be such a person. Let me be grateful for what He is doing in my life, accepting that His will is the best way for me. Let me be accountable to Him, and a whiny victim. But I fear I will grumble as I move forward. I have lately.

But only on the days I get up and start thinking on my own instead of relying on the Lord.