Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”
Acts 2:13
It’s amazing to me how easily the world dismisses the mighty works of God! As the Holy Ghost filled the disciples on the day of Pentecost, they began to preach the gospel in languages they had never learned. It was an amazing miracle of God! But, look at how easily the world explained the miracle away. Mocking, they said, “These men are drunk!” Really? I’ve never met a drunk man that by his intoxication was able to speak in a foreign language! It was a foolish notion, and yet, it was explanation enough for those who did not believe.
The child of God sees the Lord’s hand in all things. I remember once sharing with an unbeliever the amazing ways God had worked in my life in a particular situation. I excitedly shared instance after instance of God’s tender care for me in that circumstance, but when I finally finished my story, the man simply said, “I would just say that was coincidence.” In one brief sentence, he had dismissed God’s deliverance in my life. There was no room for further discussion. He was satisfied to push God out of his mind once again. But, there is something that all men need to understand: there are no coincidences! Consider the following thoughts and supporting verses:
God is in absolute control in this earth, doing what He wants when He wants.
Isa 46:9-10 Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure’…
Eph 1:11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will…
Dan 4:35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, “What have You done?”
He determines when and where we live as well as how long; He creates and sustains the life of every living creature.
Ecc 3:1-2 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die…
Act 17:25-26 Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings…
Col 1:16-17 All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Psa 36:6 Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O Lord, You preserve man and beast.
Psa 65:9 You visit the earth and water it, You greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; You provide their grain, for so You have prepared it.
Psa 104:24-29 O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions—This great and wide sea, in which are innumerable teeming things, living things both small and great…These all wait for You, that You may give them their food in due season. What You give them they gather in; You open Your hand, they are filled with good. You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.
God is actively involved in this universe, and no one can do a single thing, good or bad, that will hinder God’s plans.
Pro 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
Pro 16:1 The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
Amo 3:6 If a trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people be afraid? If there is calamity in a city, will not the Lord have done it?
Pro 16:4 The Lord has made all for Himself, yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.
And, to perhaps comfort your hearts in this election year: Even those in authority over us can only ultimately fulfill the purpose of God.
Pro 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
Jn 19:11 Jesus answered, “ You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”
Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
So, the next time someone tries to dismiss God working in your life and tells you, “I would just say that was coincidence,” remind them that the Lord is reigning over all of His creation and accomplishing His perfect will in all the earth. There are no coincidences. All men are God’s servants, whether they like it or not! Even the wicked will be limited in their sin and only allowed to go as far as will work for God’s glory and the good of His people. “Surely the wrath of man shall praise You; with the remainder of wrath You shall gird Yourself.” (Psa 76:10) God will see to it that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Rom 8:28)
Jamie
Psa 145:9 The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.
