The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
for he founded it on the seas
and established it on the waters.
Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol
or swear by a false god.
They will receive blessing from the Lord
and vindication from God their Savior.
Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, God of Jacob.
- Psalm 24:1-6
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
- Genesis 2:15
But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
- Deuteronomy 8:18
“10. In the government of all things the nature of God is manifested. Now his government is, in one respect, universal, by which he directs all the creatures according to the properties which he bestowed on each when he created them.”
- John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Aphorisms
John Calvin did not write these aphorisms. They are a summarization of what he wrote in Institutes of the Christian Religion. There are 100 aphorisms.
God is sovereign. But this aphorism takes it a step further. God created attributes within mankind so that we can take dominion. He created attributes within other creatures on earth and in the weather patterns to ensure that His will be done. Within the framework of a system that allows man to have free will, we can work within that framework. The details might not be perfect, but God’s will prevails.
The concept of free will can altar the details of God’s plan, but not the ultimate outcome.
Does this mean that God’s people do not suffer? No, sometimes it is our sin nature that brings consequences upon ourselves, not God punishing us, but nature acting upon our mistake. For example, a drunk driver could cause an accident which has severe consequences. Deciding to drive through a storm could end badly. Thus, our wrong decisions can cause us to suffer.
But the opposite can be true that God lavishes blessing upon blessing.
If you like these Tuesday morning essays about philosophy and other “heavy topics,” but you think you missed a few, you can use this LINK. I have set up a page off the home page for links to these Tuesday morning posts. I will continue to modify the page as I add more.
Soli Deo Gloria. Only to God be the Glory.
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