GOD IS NOT FRUSTRATED!

I am an American! I cherish the freedoms we have long enjoyed. I appreciate the patriots who have fought, bled, and died for these freedoms.

FREEDOM OF RELIGION
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY
FREEDOM OF PETITION
THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS
THE RIGHT TO EQUAL JUSTICE
THE RIGHT TO OWN PRIVATE PROPERTY

After a month on virtual lock-down Americans are growing restless. Civil unrest is beginning to mount. While most understand the nature of a public health crisis and the need for government response, some are concerned about the overreach of government and what this means for the future. America was a nation founded on the idea of "small government". The founders were opposed to BIG GOVERNMENT interference. There is a fine line here. In a "state of emergency" things are not in a NORMAL state. Government leaders are human and being human they make mistakes. Dealing with the threat of a fast-moving virus about which not much is known has proven to be tricky. It confounds the "experts" and even the most well intended efforts can often have unintended consequences.

So how are we as Christians to see this? Peter and Paul both lived under the Roman emperor named Nero. He was wicked to the core and NO FRIEND of Christians. Both Peter and Paul died as martyrs under this Roman government. And both called on Christians to submit to the governing authorities (cf. Rom. 13:1-7; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13-17). As Christians we are not to be "rabble rousers". As Peter said, "submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake" (1 Pet. 2:13). Or as Paul said, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities." (Rom. 13:1). The only exception is when those in authority command us to disobey God. In that case we must "respectfully disobey" and live with the consequences. As Peter and the apostles said, "We ought to obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29).

Some Christians are frustrated that our right to assemble is presently being curtailed. But we must keep in mind that this is in the context of a "state of emergency" and is not the standard state of affairs. It is a national thing that has the whole populous in view and not simply Christians. It is a health-oriented thing and not a matter of persecuting Christians. Those qualifiers are important. The current circumstances, while perhaps frustrating, are only temporary.

Yes, there are examples of egregious overreach and plenty of examples of politicians acting badly. This is always the case in a fallen world. But our concern as Christians is the cause of Christ and the spread of the gospel. We are NEVER going to set the world straight! Only God can do this, and it will take the Second Coming to accomplish it. Yes, we want to be responsible in our "civic duties" but our real ultimate concern is INDIVIDUALS and seeing them come to Christ. When that happens their whole "world" is changed for time and eternity. The real change agent is the GOSPEL! The world is concerned about "time", but we are concerned about "ETERNITY".

I have "GOOD NEWS" this morning! God is still God! God is still on His throne! God is still in control! And He is NOT frustrated by the present crisis! Nebuchadnezzar, after being on a strict vegetarian diet for 7 years came to realize that when it comes to God, "No one can restrain His hand" (Dan. 4:35). Resist as hard as he might, Nebuchadnezzar came to realize the sovereign hand of God cannot be frustrated. A little virus cannot thwart His plans! Paul was imprisoned by Rome, but note his testimony: "But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel".(Phil. 1:12). Amazing how that works! God is not frustrated by "limiting" circumstances. His truth marches on!

God cannot be frustrated! He is still building His Church! His plans are NOT in jeopardy! His promises are still ALL true! Take a deep breath! Be still and know that God is God, and as God, He cannot be frustrated!

Psalm 33:10–11 (NKJV)
10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.
11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.
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