Salvation Depends On God

"So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs,

 but on God who has mercy."

Romans 9:16

If it were left up to each of us, we would never come to the Lord. We come only because He draws us. He places the desire for Him in our hearts. This completely negates the idea that we can earn our way to God. It is only because of His endless mercy that we are saved. "Everything of human salvation begins in God. His will is to have mercy. His work enables Him to do so. It is only as that will is made known to man, that he wills to receive the mercy. It is only as that work operates within man, that he is able to work out his salvation. Our wills must be exercised, our running must be positive; but we enter into salvation, and shall at last reach the crowning at the goal, only because of the everlasting mercy of God. There is neither merit nor cause for glorying in our choice or our effort. If God had not willed our saving, neither should we. If God did not work within us, we should work nothing out. Even if, of our service, we can ever say we laboured abundantly, we shall have to add: Yet not we, but the grace of God which was with us." (Morgan, G. C. Life Applications from Every Chapter of the Bible)

Blessed are Those Who Endure

"We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful."

James 5:11

Charles Spurgeon began a sermon on this passage with the words, “We are far too apt to entertain hard thoughts of God."

When health trials and/or financial hardship come our way, it is hard to accept that we are blessed. We look at the wicked and see them living in good health and wealth and we wonder if God has abandoned us. Does He really care? James wrote to the persecuted Christians of his day to encourage them to stand firm in their faith and believe the best about God. That He is "full of compassion and is merciful." He pointed to the "endurance of Job", using him as an example of one who did not turn his back on God, though he lost everything but his life. Job believed in God's sovereignty and submitted to His will. He wasn't perfect and he did challenge God for an audience, for which later he repented, but after a time of suffering, Job's health and wealth were restored and He was given ten more children. 

Steven Cole touches on five lessons from this verse:

1. God’s blessing is on those who endure, not on those who bail out.

2. Endurance does not imply perfection, but it does require submission.

3. The submission required for endurance is bound up with a firm belief in God’s sovereignty over all things.

4. God’s sovereignty over all things implies that He has a purpose that He is accomplishing.

5. No matter how difficult our trials, we must never doubt God’s goodness or love in His sovereign purpose.

"Read the biographies of the faithful saints in church history. If you’re currently suffering, look to the prophets and look to Job as examples of patient endurance. Trust in the compassionate and merciful Lord." (Pastor Steven Cole)

Even if our health and wealth are not restored as Job's was, God's promise that we will live with Him for eternity is irrevocable. And that is our ultimate reward.

What Gets God's Attention

"Thus says the LORD,

 'Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. 

Where then is a house you could build for Me? 

And where is a place that I may rest? 

For My hand made all these things, 

Thus all these things came into being,” declares the LORD. 

“But to this one I will look, 

To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.'"

Isaiah 66:1-2

The Creator of all things cannot be contained in an earthly building. Our churches are meant to be places where we gather to worship HIm, but they cannot hold Him. Even Solomon who built a temple for the Lord said, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built!" (1 Kings 8:27). It is not our entering into a church building that gets God's attention. It is the true humility of spirit: the brokenness that comes from knowing the sinfulness of our condition and our need for a Savior that moves God's heart. It is when we stop making excuses for our sin and submit to God's word that He regards us with mercy and forgiveness.

What Makes God Grieve?

"Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart." 

Genesis 6:5-6

In the days of Noah men and women were so wicked that God was sorry He had created us, and His heart grieved. When I read these words I wonder that humans can believe that God is unloving, unjust and unkind. And even more so when I consider that God gave His only Son to rescue us from destruction. That's how much He loves us. "The LORD is gracious and merciful; Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness. The LORD is good to all, And His mercies are over all His works." (Psalm 145:8-9) God's holiness will not allow Him to ignore sin, but He doesn't delight in the death of the wicked. "'As I live!' declares the Lord GOD, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live.'" (Ezekiel 33:11) God hates sin, but loves the sinner. He doesn't send anyone to hell. Man sends himself when he refuses to receive the free gift of salvation. The gift that God paid for with His own life. "No doubt God will pity sinners in hell forever. He has given the highest evidence that He loves sinners. Think how long He spares them to live in their sins; at how great a sacrifice He sent His Son to die for them, even while they were yet enemies. What proof of love can be greater that this?" -- Finney

Always Faithful

"If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself."

2 Timothy 2:13

God's faithfulness does not depend on our faith or lack of it. To those who believe, He is their Savior and He will remain so forever. To those who don't believe, who reject Him, He remains faithful to save them, if they call upon His name in this life. But if they don't, there will come a time of judgment when they will give an account for their decision. For God to act any other way would be contrary to His nature. God's holiness demands justice, but His mercy drove Him to the cross.

God's Tear Bottle

"You have taken account of my wandering,
 Put my tears in Your bottle, 

         Are they not in Your book?"
Psalm 56:8

God's tender mercies are ever present. He is aware of every step we take, guarding each one. When we are overcome with trials and seem to have lost our bearings, He has us in the palm of His hand. He has tracked our course and knows where we are headed. God has recorded our suffering in His book, and every tear we shed He holds in His bottle. The tears of the saints, held in God's tear bottle. What a precious thought.