The Source, Means And Goal Of Success

Rom. 11:33-36

Every day the news is filled with incomprehensible stories of tragedies which causes some people to ask the question, “Why does God allow so much suffering in the world?” The terrorists attack on the World Trade Center has caused billions to ask the question, “Why did God allow this tragedy to happen?”

Paul the apostle throws the light of God’s providence on our passage today to help us find an answer to some of life’s most perplexing questions.

Only when we are able to come to the full realization and trust in that God’s Sovereign will are people able to come to grips with the incomprehensible. For this reason Paul writes, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To be Him be the glory for ever! Amen” (Rom. 11:36)

Paul found the answers to the most inscrutable problems in God. When nothing else made sense Paul knew that God provides us with meaning, fulfillment and everything that we need for life and godliness.

Let us explore why it is essential to leave everything in the sovereign hands of God.

1. Paul teaches his readers that the sovereign God allowed the unbelief of Israel to happen for the greater ingathering of the Gentiles. Even in this mysterious phenomenon we are only able to plummet a few feet below the surface of the ocean of God’s sovereign purposes. It is for this reason that Isaiah writes, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa 55:8,9)

It may be humbling, but it is necessary to admit that we cannot find an answer for all of our questions. However, when we praise God for His sovereign power, purpose and providence we gain a greater appreciation for His person.

People who are unwilling to praise God for His incomprehensible greatness fail to learn to trust Him to work in ways that we cannot see.

Our minds are finite and His is infinite in understanding. We really only need to know enough information in order to do His will. That is why Moses wrote, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children for ever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” (Deut 29:29)

Do not worry about the things you are not meant to understand. The more you obey His will the more He will reveal what you need to know in order to complete His will for your life.

To do otherwise is to subject yourself to unnecessary stress, anxiety and questioning that will only lead to trouble.

2. Paul taught his readers that God can be known but His attributes that surpass all human conceptions. Let us all admit that we are inadequate to comprehend the totality of the greatness of God’s wisdom, love and truth.

Most people do not like to admit that they cannot understand or know something to their satisfaction. People who are adamant about understanding the reasons behind life’s tragedies are opening themselves up to unnecessary stress.

The Lord’s justice is always right even though we may not understand it at the time. His ways are always perfect and all his ways are peace.

Even though it may not appear to be logical in our moments of distress, God is greater than our capacity to reason. This thought often bothers most modern philosophers who want a rationale explanation for everything.

Paul, knew that educated people of his day might expect an logical explanation for everything, but he knew it was not incumbent upon God to supply one. Paul admitted that a part of knowing God was to share in the sufferings of Christ.

The great apostle wrote, “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings being conformed to Him even to His death.” (Phil. 3:8-10)

Part of the reason that God allows us to suffer is to help us gain a greater appreciation and identification with the Lord Jesus Christ. Do not resent the fact that you are unable to make sense of everything that is happening to you. Thank Him that He can work all things together for good as long as we love God and are fitting into His purposes. (Rom. 8:28)

You may be suffering from an illness or a disappointment but take comfort in the fact that God’s sovereign power is able to help turn any tragedy into a greater triumph for your good.

3. Paul taught his readers that God’s children are not always able to appreciate their Father’s chastening, judgments and discipline. When we are children it seemed painful when we received discipline from our father. At times we would ask, “Why do I have to be punished?”