GOD AND TIME

‘But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.’ — 2 Peter 3:8-9

God’s relationship to time: 1.God is altogether above time. “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.” – Psalm 90:2 Time is transitory presence in contrast to Eternity which is abiding presence.

God’s eternal purpose is executed in time. 2. God does act in time. i. God purposed to “ save ” ii.God purposed to “ redeem ” those He purposed to save. iii.God purposed to “ regenerate ” all whom He purposed to redeem. iv.God purposed that all whom He would regenerate should “ believe. ”

v. God purposed that everyone who believes will pursue “ holiness ” of life. vi.God purposed that all who believe will “ persevere. ” vii. God purposed that all who shall persevere will be “ glorified. ” There is a natural order in God ’ s purpose.

2. The eternal God adapted man for time. Man created in the image of God has no higher purpose than to be a reflection of God. Man was equipped with certain capacities to accomplish God’s purpose as His representative.

God lives outside of time and space and in a different dimension. The constraint of time or space-time has no hold on Him. The Christian’s faith is built upon the belief that God is eternal. This faith transcends time.

God’s Sovereignty and Control How all encompassing God’s control is over the human race? God is sovereign over all the matters of mankind: permitting preventing directing determining the affairs of our world

“Everything that happens is not God’s will (perfect will), but nothing can happen to defeat God’s will.” – Paul C. Huebach, WWC God’s sovereignty can restrain evil, but He doesn’t always choose to do so. works out His plan even when we choose differently. doesn’t mean we will not experience pain and suffering. does make a difference in everyday life.

3 stages in the process of understanding God’s sovereignty and control: 1.Resisting God’s control Promoting self Patronizing God Proud of self 2.Recognizing God’s control His Rule is Eternal. His Rule is Exclusive. His Rule is Extreme. 3. Resting in God’s control

Psalm O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away. 3 You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am.

4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. 5 You both precede and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know! 7 I can never escape from your spirit! I can never get away from your presence!

8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, [a] you are there. 9 If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, 10 even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. 11 I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night--a

12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are both alike to you. 13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous--and how well I know it.

15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable!

18 I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up in the morning, you are still with me! 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Questions to ponder: Are you still resisting God’s control over your life? Are you going through a time where God is humbling you? Have you come to rest up under God’s sovereign control?

“The Sovereignty of God is the stumbling block on which thousands fall and perish; and if we go contending with God about His sovereignty it will be our eternal ruin. It is absolutely necessary that we should submit to God as an absolute sovereign, and the Sovereign of our souls; as One who may have mercy on whom He will have mercy and harden whom He will.” -Jonathan Edwards-