I was reading a Bible study with my wife when we came across a statement that caused me to raise an eyebrow. I've have heard similar statements made before and it didn't seem out of place, yet for some reason it struck a chord in me that made me want to dive deeper. The writer of the study commented on her rough upbringing by stating that Satan had orchestrated the child abuse she suffered. Now, before I continue; I mean not to degrade her feelings. No one should ever have to endure such a tragedy. However, it seemed strange to me that a fellow follower believed that Satan was capable of orchestrating such a thing. We do give Satan a lot of leeway these days; crediting him for things outside his realm. For instance, it is common place, even among believers, that Satan is the ruler of hell while God rules over heaven. This just isn't biblical in any way. Satan has no power over hell. God is ruler over it all (Revelation 20:10). More to the point, Satan has very little control over our thoughts and minds. He is, however, a master of deception. Look at how he has convinced an entire population that he rules over hell--sounds like someone is bitter over his defeat and the fact he doesn't actually rule over anything.
Isaiah 45:7 states that God, not Satan creates light AND darkness. It is "the Lord" who has orchestrated prosperity and disaster. These words from the prophet came to the Israelites as a way to build in them confidence. God speaks sternly to his children who have grown to blame him for their misfortune. They ask God why he would bring trouble. Sounds a lot like the questions people ask today. Why do bad things happen to good people? Why would a good God let something like this happen to my family? It is common place these days to hear such questions. God has an answer. It's here in Isaiah.
Read Isaiah 45:5-14.
God's response to the doubt of his people is swift and demands that they take comfort in the Lord and his insurmountable power of every thing. God asks, "Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?'" He continues to call out the people for their disbelief, "Woe to him who says to his father, 'What have you begotten?' or to his mother, 'What have you brought to birth?'" God is very clear that he is the maker of all things, all people and all occurrences. Still, some people have trouble believing that God can do harm to people. They believe that it is not in "His nature." Remember, we are but Gentiles and Jews invited into his kingdom only after the atonement for our wrong. We do not have the right to put God in His place this way. God even says in these very verses, "Do you question me about my children or give me orders about the work of my hands? It is I who made the Earth and created mankind upon it." God has had his hands in the workings of everything that has ever happened, ever. It would be foolish to think otherwise.
God is in control of it all, even the child abuse the bible study writer regretfully endured. Now, some people might think, "that's cruel." But for those of us who know God on a deeper level, the fact that God creates these disasters brings a sense of comfort. To know that we were never in any real danger is astonishing. It is freeing to know that the worst thing that can happen to us here on earth is death. But even that only serves to bring us closer to God. It is Satan who would have you believe otherwise. Satan does not rule over hell. God has granted him power over the Earth for a brief time, but even that is withheld. Moreover, God will choose to revoke Satan's power and bring justice upon him. The battle is already won.
So what do we say in all of this? God created the darkness. He alone orchestrates disaster. Still, we cannot let the enemy deceive us into believing these attributes of God make him evil. God's work is done in love. Does God then abuse children? No. But it would not have happen had God not let it, and by no means did Satan plan it or design it. Satan's role is to convince us that these unfortunate events are punishment, or somehow our fault. He uses the events in our lives to lie to us about our maker (just like he did to Adam and Eve about the tree of knowledge). Satan would trick us into believing we are being picked on or that we deserve better than God. I've got news for you, there is no one greater or more loving than God, and of he chooses to let a child be abused or for people to die unexpectedly it is for a good reason. Who are we to question the work of his hands? We are but pots being molded and crafted by an all-knowing, all-powerful creator. As difficult as it can be, we are not to question the motives of His word, which will achieve the purpose for which He has sent it, but to simply let the Lord mold us the way He sees fit. In all of this we find comfort, knowing God is in control.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. -- Isaiah 55:8.
Read Isaiah 55:6-13.
Isaiah 45:7 states that God, not Satan creates light AND darkness. It is "the Lord" who has orchestrated prosperity and disaster. These words from the prophet came to the Israelites as a way to build in them confidence. God speaks sternly to his children who have grown to blame him for their misfortune. They ask God why he would bring trouble. Sounds a lot like the questions people ask today. Why do bad things happen to good people? Why would a good God let something like this happen to my family? It is common place these days to hear such questions. God has an answer. It's here in Isaiah.
Read Isaiah 45:5-14.
God's response to the doubt of his people is swift and demands that they take comfort in the Lord and his insurmountable power of every thing. God asks, "Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?'" He continues to call out the people for their disbelief, "Woe to him who says to his father, 'What have you begotten?' or to his mother, 'What have you brought to birth?'" God is very clear that he is the maker of all things, all people and all occurrences. Still, some people have trouble believing that God can do harm to people. They believe that it is not in "His nature." Remember, we are but Gentiles and Jews invited into his kingdom only after the atonement for our wrong. We do not have the right to put God in His place this way. God even says in these very verses, "Do you question me about my children or give me orders about the work of my hands? It is I who made the Earth and created mankind upon it." God has had his hands in the workings of everything that has ever happened, ever. It would be foolish to think otherwise.
God is in control of it all, even the child abuse the bible study writer regretfully endured. Now, some people might think, "that's cruel." But for those of us who know God on a deeper level, the fact that God creates these disasters brings a sense of comfort. To know that we were never in any real danger is astonishing. It is freeing to know that the worst thing that can happen to us here on earth is death. But even that only serves to bring us closer to God. It is Satan who would have you believe otherwise. Satan does not rule over hell. God has granted him power over the Earth for a brief time, but even that is withheld. Moreover, God will choose to revoke Satan's power and bring justice upon him. The battle is already won.
So what do we say in all of this? God created the darkness. He alone orchestrates disaster. Still, we cannot let the enemy deceive us into believing these attributes of God make him evil. God's work is done in love. Does God then abuse children? No. But it would not have happen had God not let it, and by no means did Satan plan it or design it. Satan's role is to convince us that these unfortunate events are punishment, or somehow our fault. He uses the events in our lives to lie to us about our maker (just like he did to Adam and Eve about the tree of knowledge). Satan would trick us into believing we are being picked on or that we deserve better than God. I've got news for you, there is no one greater or more loving than God, and of he chooses to let a child be abused or for people to die unexpectedly it is for a good reason. Who are we to question the work of his hands? We are but pots being molded and crafted by an all-knowing, all-powerful creator. As difficult as it can be, we are not to question the motives of His word, which will achieve the purpose for which He has sent it, but to simply let the Lord mold us the way He sees fit. In all of this we find comfort, knowing God is in control.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. -- Isaiah 55:8.
Read Isaiah 55:6-13.
