No Permission Slip

December 2

(Psalm 135:6-12 NIV) “The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. {7} He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses. {8} He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, the firstborn of men and animals. {9} He sent his signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants. {10} He struck down many nations and killed mighty kings-- {11} Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan and all the kings of Canaan-- {12} and he gave their land as an inheritance, an inheritance to his people Israel.”

(Psalm 115:1-3 NIV) “Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. {2} Why do the nations say, "Where is their God?" {3} Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.””

(Galatians 4:4-5 NIV) “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, {5} to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.”

Our God is sovereign. He needs no permission slip from us to accomplish His will. He is King of kings. We are His subjects. God does not live for the pleasure of man -- man lives at the pleasure of God. He gives life and takes life away. He chooses people and gives them an inheritance. He strikes down people and nations who do not honor Him. Some modern theologians need to re-learn this truth. They have discovered a God hidden in Scripture who is not sure of the future and who is dependent upon the actions of man. The will of humans cannot thwart the plans of God. When God was ready, He sent His Son to redeem us and make us His children. He sent a willing Savior to an unwilling people. And when God is ready, He will send His Son again, to gather His Church and strike down His enemies. God moves as it pleases Him. He has never needed man’s permission and He never will. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day