We must understand the place in the story we find ourselves in order to deal with pain, loss, deferred hope, and disappointment. Jesus has redeemed us from sin and death, and defeated the works of the enemy. But the enemy’s final judgment awaits, as does the redeeming of all creation. If unchecked by truth, the fruit of our lips, our confessions about life, our world, and our God can work contrary to God’s purposes and promises for us.
There is a view on “sovereignty” in culture that misses the mark. Unpacking this view will need several posts to even scratch the surface.
But the first aspect is that it means God is first in rank or order. He is supreme, Creator of all, and subject to none. He holds all authority over His universe, and His people. And over all whom He created who aren’t yet redeemed.
But it doesn’t mean His rule over all that is deterministic. He says there are ways we should speak, act, and believe while on this fallen earth.
We should seek life and hold onto the promise of His blessing.
Deuteronomy 30:16-20 NLT
“For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy…‘Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’”
Jeremiah 29:4-7, 10-14 NLT
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”
This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”
So He tells Israel to choose life, and that His plans for them are good. Then Paul tells us a new and better covenant is ushered in with Jesus, so we can expect even more life and more good! “But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.” (Hebrews 8:6 NKJV)
So if we live in the period of better covenant and better promises, why do we experience pain and loss? It’s because we have an enemy, and he still operates with his tools to lead believers away from those better promises, and from the God who loves them and has promised His presence. We will encounter trials and loss, but not because God sends it or wills it.
Evaluating what happens in life
To get us to grasp this, Jesus gives us a method for evaluating what happens in life. He exposes the agenda of the enemy, and clearly states what His intentions are for man.
John 10:10 AMP
“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).”
1 John 3:8 NLT
“But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.”
John 16:33 NLT
“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
James tells us similar conclusions about trials and their origin. And he says we must persevere through them, and that there is blessing that results. But just because we are blessed for enduring trials, does not mean God sent them!
“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else…So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. (James 1:12-13, 16-17)
Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father!! He gives good gifts. He is much better at that than we are. Jesus says “If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!
And we are to take heart in the reality that He has not only removed our sin we were born with in this world (Ephesians 2:1-6), but also defeated the devil in a rout.
“Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmedthe spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-15 NLT)
So what is the summary? Jesus, in the New Covenant period, says we will experience trials. But He also told us the origin of anything that results in theft, death, or destruction. Those are tools of the enemy. When we see these results, we can be assured that the enemy has come against God’s purposes for His children, and we should “return to sender.” We do that by living from our place, seated in heavenly places as Ephesians 2:6, taking up the authority He says is ours over the enemy. We should confess anew our sonship, and the victory Jesus won by His blood over the enemy. God sent the Son so that we would have life to the full. Life that reflects His goodness. That is our hope.
Finally, we fix our eyes on what cannot be taken. Our inheritance in Him.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.” (Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT)
Hope does not disappoint
We are told to hope for what we do not see, and to wait for it eagerly with perseverance (Romans 8:24-25), like Hebrews says of picturing Jesus’ suffering so we don’t become weary. It’s not faith to hope for what we see. Faith lays hold of the unseen. “Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality.” Hebrews 11:1 AMP
The world is waiting for Sons of God to push back the groanings of creation. (Romans 8:19-23) They should reflect the God’s desire for wholeness, restoration, and beauty that He wired into the world.
So the next time pain or disappointment knocks at your door, don’t answer the door. Like my daughter’s friend in the picture, who is on crutches from an injury incurred while practicing for the big event. Rather than dancing with her friends, she cheered them on heartily. Remember He is Abba, daddy, and you are His child. He promises you life to the full. Lean into that life, while moving past the pain and loss that didn’t come from Him.
In short, remember you were Made for Eden.
