30th September 2007 AM

BUT GOD.. Pastor Linton Smith

It is very easy to take life for granted and to live carelessly.

From time to time we need to be reminded that God has the last word.

As I was thinking about that I recalled a story that I had always assumed was a joke. To my surprise I discovered it is a true story.

A battleship was cruising the Atlantic off the northern coast of Maine. The commander of the battleship was notified. "Sir, there's a light ahead. Oncoming vessel." The commander ordered, "Signal oncoming vessel, 'Change your course ten degrees to the west.'" The message was sent, but a light flashed back, "Change your course ten degrees to the east." The commander ordered, "Signal again, 'Change your course ten degrees to the west. I am an admiral.'" The light flashed back. "Change your course ten degrees to the east. I'm a seaman third class." This was too much for the admiral. He shouted, "Signal again. 'Change your course ten degrees to the west. I am a battleship.'" And the message came back, "Change your course ten degrees to the east. I am a lighthouse!"

I imagine the commander of the battleship changed his course!

Today I invite you to consider three statements that remind us that God has the last word. They each begin with the words, “But the LORD” or “But God”.. and may cause us to change our course. The first is this:

o BUT THE LORD DETERMINES HIS STEPS”

In Proverbs 16:9 we are told.. In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

I have been reminded of this over and over again during the construction of this building. At one time we anticipated dedicating it in May.. then Aug.. then Sept.. now it is October. We planned.. but..

James warns us about being overconfident. He writes..

James 4:13-15.. Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

At one time people used to say, I will do this and that, DV. I have said it occasionally and been surprised to be asked, What does that mean? If you have asked that question, don’t worry. I typed the letters DV into Google and it came up with was ‘Digital Video’. What does it mean? It is short for ‘Deo volente’ - God willing. [I did find it on Google eventually].

Whether or not we say, ‘I will do this or that, DV,’ that is how we ought to think because it is God who has the last word.

The Apostle Paul knew that.. and made plans in pencil rather than in ink! For many years he had been longing to visit the believers in Rome.. and was making plans to do so. Very early in his letter to them, he says..

Romans 1:10.. I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

And toward the end of his letter he writes..

Romans 15:23-25.. Since I have been longing for many years to see you, I plan to do so when I go to Spain.. Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there.. And then says in verses 31,32.. Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.

I pray that by God’s will, the way may be opened for me to come to you. Pray for me, so that by God’s will I may come to you!

Here was a man who took God seriously, who knew God would have the last word, and who sought to align himself with God’s will..

He lived by another proverb..

Proverbs 3:5,6.. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Let’s follow his example. Let’s humbly seek God’s direction as we make our plans.. and even then.. write our plans in pencil!

Some may wish that God did not have the last word but I for one am happy that He does because He is not against us. He is for us.

The next statement we think about is this..

o “BUT GOD INTENDED IT FOR GOOD”

In the eyes of his older brothers, Joseph was a spoilt child, the favourite of his father. One day they ‘took it out’ on him. They seized him when he came out into the fields and sold him to a slave trader. He was taken to Egypt. There he became the Pharaoh’s right hand man. A famine hit the whole land. Only Egypt had food. His brothers went down to Egypt for help and it was Joseph they had to deal with. They did not recognize him but Joseph recognized them and eventually made himself known to them.

In Genesis 45:4-7 we read.. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

“But God sent me ahead of you.” Later.. he said to them..

Genesis 50:19,20.. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

The brothers had intended evil but God had turned it all around.

He is in the habit of doing that.

In Romans 8:28-30 Paul writes.. We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

In all things! Not selected things but all things! God is at work for the good of His people, to fulfil His purpose for them.

He turned the evil of Joseph’s brothers to good to keep His people alive.. and He had a very long term plan in mind.. to send Jesus into the world through one of their descendants. Jesus came, born to Mary. He lived, taught, performed miracles, was crucified, and rose again to make it possible for people like us to be forgiven, find peace with God, be part of God’s family. When we believe, we are forgiven, find peace with Him, and become part of His family. His purpose then is to work in our lives to make us just like Jesus!

There are many things in life that do not make sense.

This truth can make sense of them.

There are many things that do not seem fair.

But when we glimpse the purpose of God and trust that He is at work in all things to make us like Jesus, we find comfort and strength!

God determines our steps. God is at work.. for our good.. to make us like Jesus. Those truths give us confidence to live. The third statement gives us confidence to face death.

o “BUT GOD WILL.. TAKE ME TO HIMSELF”

In Psalm 49:13-15 we read.. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself.

This is the fate of those who trust in themselves.. they are destined for the grave.. their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself.

What confident hope! Those who neglect God.. who trust in themselves.. will decay in their graves.. but God will take me to Himself.

I am reminded of the words of Jesus..

John 14:2,3.. In my Father’s house are many rooms.. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Jesus speaks of what we commonly call heaven. In my Father’s house.. are many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you.. I will come back.. and take you to be with me..

Is this just a pipe dream.. or can this be believed? It can be believed.. and should be believed.. because Jesus who said this.. was crucified.. buried.. and rose from the dead!

The Apostle Paul writes.. 1 Corinthians 15:17-20.. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

He was raised. Our faith is not futile! Our sins are forgiven! Those who have died are not lost.. but are with Him!

In 2 Corinthians 4:14 Paul writes.. We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.

We have a choice. We can sail through life.. believing we are the masters of our own destiny.. forging our way .. expecting others to make room for us.. and ultimately make shipwreck of our lives.. or we can humbly acknowledge God.. that He determines our steps.. is at work in all things for our good.. and at last will take us to heaven.

Jesus told a story of a man who was getting richer and richer. He built bigger barns for himself.. and decided to take life easy and enjoy his great riches.. but that night God said to him.. You fool.. this night your soul will be required of you.

Very early in my ministry I met a man like that. We sat and talked and I tried to persuade him to attend church with his wife. He told me he did not need church or God. He had his own plans. In a week or so he would be setting out on an overseas holiday. A few days later I had a phone call. The man had died. Would I conduct his funeral?

What a tragedy he didn’t change his course when he had the opportunity.

Don’t be like him. Let’s acknowledge God in all our plans, trust Him, believe He is working out His purposes in our lives. Let’s not fear death or try to escape it but believe the end of the journey is sure. He will take us to Himself. Do that and we will find confidence to live and confidence to die!

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