While driving home, the other night, I was listening to the radio and in the commentator’s conversation he made reference to some event which had taken place as being the result of “divine intervention”. He was merely expressing the common concept that many people have of GOD’s (if they believe there truly is one) limited involvement in earthly affairs. I could not help but be irritated by this apparent disregard of the glory of HIM who says of HIMSELF, “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.” (Isa 46:9-11)
The dictionary definition of an oxymoron is “a figure of speech in which words of opposite meaning or suggestion are used together”. The phrase “divine intervention” is indeed an oxymoron. The GOD who has revealed HIMSELF to us in the person of JESUS CHRIST, and who has given us the Bible wherein HE has described HIS own power and purpose, can never be said to “intervene” in any of the events which occur in the creation which HE has wrought by HIS own hand.
GOD does not “intervene” in these events, because HE is the ONE who determines, directs, and predestines all actions to occur exactly according to HIS DIVINE purpose. “But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.” (Psa 115:3) Intervention is never needed. It is sheer folly for men to consider that any event can or shall occur which is contrary to HIS DIVINE decree or that any event has ever occurred which is outside of HIS ordained purpose.
One of the greatest comforts to the children of GOD, recorded in the scriptures, is found in Romans 8:28, which says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” This verse could not possibly be true except that GOD is truly GOD, and as such, orders all events to occur exactly as HE ordains.
It is an abomination for any who name the name of CHRIST as their sole hope of eternal life, to speak of “luck” or “chance”, or “worth” related to their fortune. GOD determines both the blessings of HIS children and the destruction of the wicked according to HIS own will, and does not bestow either primarily as a result of their actions. (see Rom.9:11-13) Rather, HE determines their actions to occur for HIS own glory in the manifestation of the redemption of the sons of GOD and the reprobation of the wicked. “The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.” (Pro 16:4)
Now indeed these are hard sayings for the natural man, who fancies himself as possessing some intrinsic worth in the sight of HIS CREATOR and imagines that he can approach HIM on his own terms and according to his supposed free will, or at least holds out hope of meriting some sort of favor according to what he considers are his good deeds and the extenuating circumstances of any disobedience or failures which he might perceive in himself.
Yet the man who is acquainted with the true and living GOD of heaven and earth can but put his hand over his mouth and cast his eyes to the ground saying, “even so FATHER for so it seemed good in thy sight.” (Mat.11:26) even as his LORD did before him. He agrees with the apostle as he confronted the natural rebellion of men against the sovereign right of the CREATOR. “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?” (Rom 9:20-21)
GOD has done all things well. HE has had no second thoughts, nor has HE ever changed HIS mind or altered HIS course or needed to “intervene” in the affairs of the world. “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.” (Act 15:18) “We spend our years as a tale that is told.” (Psa 90:9) It is the blessing of GOD that causes a man to cry out, “But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.” (Psa 31:14-15)
The mercy of GOD is visited upon the heads of those who are taught by HIS SPIRIT that they have no other hope than that which is bestowed by HIS mercy. “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” (Psa 51:1-4)
It is in this display of divine and sovereign mercy that the LORD JESUS CHRIST came into the world; made in the likeness of sinful flesh and condemned sin in the flesh, being made an offering and an atonement for the sins of those whom HE has determined to save. HE has left nothing concerning their salvation to “chance” nor does HE merely “hope” that they will be saved. HE has designed the salvation of HIS elect and HE will bring them to that place which HE has already prepared for them. If it were not so, HE would have told them. (see John 14: 1-3) “And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:39-40)
Those who “believe” are one and the same with those HE has determined to save because HE has determined to give them faith. “And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” (Acts 13:48) HE did not “intervene” and give them salvation because they believed, but rather they believed because HE ordained them to eternal life.
“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:33-39)
Thanks be unto GOD that HE is that ONE whose purpose must be fulfilled in every jot and tittle and cannot be said to “intervene” in that which HE ordains according to HIS good pleasure.
mam