Since I got my Cochlear implant, my brain is being taught to distinguish words in an entirely different way. I was told I needed to daily practice by listening to different speakers and it was suggested that I listen to audio books. But since I can now stream videos on my phone, I chose to do something I have never had an ability to do. I decided to listen to video preaching by men known to be sound in Bible doctrine. Praise the LORD my discernment of what sounds mean is growing!
Now I regularly listen to different Bible teachers when I do dishes the old fashion way, do laundry, fold clothes, soak in the tub, all those little things one must do but where you don’t have to concentrate. I even do exercises while I listen.
Well, one teacher I listen to frequently and usually agree with whatever he says. He is speaks simply, clearly, and I have found his teaching to be quite sound in doctrine in that it agrees with Scripture. But when he said, “It was what people decided and not GOD’s personal choice (putting whom GOD chose in positions (Daniel 4:17) that determined who would win the elections a red flag went up.
“The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the MOST HIGH is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone HE wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people (Daniel 4:17 NIV).
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which GOD has established. The authorities that exist have been established by GOD (Romans 13:1 NIV).
This preacher was urging people to vote. Which is good and I believe is our Christian duty. We do need to vote for those who stand for GOD’s values. But when he said man will determine who would take office, he inferred GOD is not really sovereign, nor does HE bring to pass HIS eternal purposes for individuals (Ephesians 2:10) or for nations on HIS precise preset time schedule of appointed times (Habakkuk 2:3).
I don’t understand the way our votes matter and yet GOD predetermined the outcome, nor can I explain how JESUS was delivered by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of GOD yet the Jews took HIM by wicked hands and slayed JESUS (Acts 2:23). GOD let man do what their wicked hearts determined to do and yet that accomplished what GOD determined. And as you see GOD’s perfect foreknowledge played a big part in it. The one who needs to be in office to do what GOD wants done, will be in office, just as JESUS needed to die to save us and GOD used the hands of others to do it.
GOD’s ways and thoughts are not mine they are as far as the heavens are above the earth higher than mine (Isaiah 55:8-9), therefore my lack of understanding doesn’t negate what GOD says is true. “What man says and it comes to be if the LORD has commanded it not?” (Lamentations 3:37).
“Do not quench the SPIRIT. Do not treat prophecies (speaking forth the Word of GOD) with contempt but test them all;(what is said) hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 NIV). That tells me I am to test what that man said.
“Let no man deceive you by any means…” (2 Thessalonians 2:3) How can I avoid being deceived?
“To the law and to the testimony (scripture): if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them (Isaiah 8:20). Reject whatever does not agree with GOD’s word.
GOD works (places within) us both to want what HE wants and to be enabled to do it (Philippians 2:13). HE urges us to pray in a certain way so we can co-labor with HIM and HE can reward us. For HE delights to give rewards to HIS children. But we are not puppets, we can reject what HE tells us and refuse to do it but since HE knows all things past, present and future our reactions were all figured in when HE scheduled the days of our lives before we began to breathe (Psalm 139:16).
I cannot take the credit for catching the error, in fact I did not really want to see it. The HOLY SPIRIT made me uneasy by putting a check in my spirit when I heard the speakers words. “GOD won’t override man’s choice.”
Then HE reminded me (John 14:26) of verses which declared our sovereign LORD GOD ALMIGHTY’s eternal purposes, power and preset timing. Since GOD’s thoughts and ways are not my thoughts and ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) I am dependent on the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT and that is why GOD poured our HIS SPIRIT on believers in JESUS and the Bible tells me to walk in the SPIRIT (Galatians 5:16) and be led by HIM (Galatians 5:18).
“That HE (JESUS) might sanctify and cleanse it (the Church-believers in JESUS) with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26). See how the word of GOD was used by the HOLY SPIRIT to expose error and wash it from my mind with water of the word?
The washing of the water of the word, cleanses us so that we will not be conformed to this world but be transformed (metamorphosis — you know from a caterpillar to a butterfly) by the renewing of our minds. (Romans 12:2)
So jump in and read your Bible, the water is great!
Hugs
Sharon
wakemyear 