GOD MAKES IT ALL HAPPEN

MATTHEW 5:43–48

[God] causes His sun to rise on evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous

(Matt. 5:45).

God not only created the universe, He also sustains it. The biblical view of God’s providence is that God is the primary cause not only of the universe itself but of every event that takes place in time and space. Everything that happens is ultimately caused by God.

This does not eliminate secondary causes within the universe. Rain causes the ground to become wet, but behind this secondary cause is the fact that God causes rain to water the ground. Likewise, Hitler murdered millions of people, but behind that secondary causality is God’s decree.

Now there is a great mystery involved in God’s causality. God is not the author of sin, and God did not murder the people Hitler killed. Yet God brought it to pass. What if we don’t believe both sides of this? If we deny that Hitler’s acts were real, we make God into a murderous monster. But if we deny that God brought it to pass, we make this horrible event meaningless. The Bible says that all things have a purpose in the plan of God, and when it is all over, we will see what His plan was, and will marvel and rejoice.

And so Christianity says that both levels of causality are real and are not to be confused. There are secondary or proximate (near) causes in this world, such as when someone commits a crime. And there is the primary and ultimate cause of events in the world, which is God’s plan and the fact that He brings all things—even suffering—to pass.

God governs His creation. His government embraces everything. The Bible tells us that God orders the weather and also orders the coming and going of all human government. Because God’s government is supreme and beyond the universe, it can never be overthrown. Because God created us in the first place, He does not need our consent to govern. God has the ultimate “divine right of kingship” to reign over and rule in His creation. God is the absolute Monarch. He is the president, congress, and supreme court all in one. To Him and to Him alone we owe our ultimate obedience and allegiance, and to deny His government is rebellion and sin.

CORAM DEO

2 Peter and Jude

The Bible says to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thess. 5:18). Let the truths of today’s lesson help you obey this command. Knowing that God’s control is a fact, translate that knowledge into obedient action through thanksgiving for His plan. Apply this truth to an area of sorrow or conflict in your life.

For further study: Psalm 145:13–21 • 1 Tim. 6:13–16

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