Saturday, January 26, 2019
Genesis 18:25 Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?
KEY QUESTIONS FOR A NEW YEAR (3)
Yes, the Judge of the earth always does right. Abraham asked this question in his appeal to God to spare the righteous of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham wasn't suggesting that God would ever do something unjust or wrong. Nevertheless, many people think they have a better understanding of justice than God. If we're honest, we too have questioned God's ways at times.
But are we in a position to question God? In Isaiah 29 we read: "Can the pot say to the potter, 'You know nothing'?" How ridiculous for a clay pot to question the ways of the potter. How much more ridiculous for sinful creatures to question the ways of their Creator!
Once upon a time when our family was still very young, a gate was placed at the doorway leading down into the basement. This was to prevent the two year old from toppling head first down the unpadded steps and hurting himself. From the two year old's point of view, however, that gate made no sense whatsoever. Why did it have to be there, when obviously he would have so much fun if he were allowed to crawl down the steps? I can still picture him grabbing hold of that gate, shaking it with all his little might, and screaming his disdain at its existence. He had no concept of the love that put that gate in place, and how it was there to keep him safe.
We cannot possibly understand all the ways of God, but in faith we can trust there is a perfect reason for everything God does and allows. We can know that God always acts with flawless justice and wisdom. With childlike faith we can learn to bow in humble submission before our Creator, trusting He does all things well.
But the one thing that really boggles my mind about God is why He would ever send His Son to die for a sinful wretch like me? I can't figure out that kind of love at all, but I don't have to. I just rejoice in it.
