The Nearness Of God

Men shall speak 

of the might 

of Your awesome acts,

and I will declare Your

righteousness....

The LORD is righteous 

in all His ways,

Gracious in all

His works.

The LORD is near

to all who 

call upon Him,

To all who call 

upon Him in truth.

Psalm 145:6;17-18

     The gaining of understanding on this doctrine of preservation is important for God in all His Sovereignty preserves what He creates. Not as some would have this doctrine say, rather, that God in in economy, and in all His dispensation allows for His creation to act and do according to His Eternal Decree. The Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter three; pp. 1 & 2, state: 1. "God from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass: (Eph. 1:11; Rom. 11:33; Heb. 6:17; Rom 9:15,18), yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin (James 1:13,17; 1 John 1:5), nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away but rather established (Acts 2:23; Matt. 17:12; Acts 4:27-28; John 19:11; Prov. 16:33). 2. Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions, (Acts 15:18; 1 Sam. 23:11; Matt. 11:21,23), yet hath He not decreed anything because He foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions (Rom. 9:11,13,16,18). There are two extremes offered, one that represents preservation as a mere negative act, a not willing to destroy, unfortunately when this extreme theory is carried out to its end, the efficiency of God is destroyed. Then, this denial of the reality of second causes is denied by those who hold to the above theory. In between these theories is the plain teaching and doctrines of Scripture that teaches that the world in continued in its existence by the omnipresent power of God. That which by His Word is created is upheld by that power of creative act. You may ask, "How?" This is a vain question for it cannot be answered just as we cannot answer how our minds can operate, or how the soul is present and operative in the whole body. This attempt to know everything is what has many people in a quandary for they desire to have everything in life to be "black and white" an attempt that is futile as any sentient person recognizes. So why would man, any man, attempt to know everything about God? He is a Being that is entirely different from that which He created and only reveals what is to be of necessity to know of Him, about those things which are important leading us to recognize Him, and to worship Him. It requires of us, humility. 

     The theologians of the seventeenth century attempted to reason this doctrine by calling preservation by the influx of God into all His creatures.  Taking that "hard look" into this doctrine we must ask ourselves: "what do we gain by knowing that the soul operates in every part of the body?" We already understand that God operates everywhere in the universe and that He preserves His creatures. Now, the mode in which His efficiency is exerted, that which is consistent with the nature of His creatures leads us to have revealed His Holiness, and goodness and that He is inscrutable. Therefore, rest, rest yourselves in the plain truth of the Scriptures, for attempting to know that which has not been revealed is like: chasing after the wind; if you caught it, what would you have gained? Enjoy the wind, enjoy what God has revealed, enjoy the very fact that God upholds and preserves His creatures and that He exists, not waiting for something to happen, then He acts, rather that He has decreed all things for the good of all that He has created for He has given to each of His creations that which He has empowered them with, all the properties necessary for all and for which He has created them. While we cannot understand all of God we do have enough of information revealed so that we can know Him, love Him, and enjoy all that He has given to His creatures. Further this God from the beginning, before all time, before all creation, determined to save some for everlasting life with Him. He enables, calls, preserves, and has atoned for their sins by the sacrifice of His Son as the payment necessary for sin. How do we know that we are of those who He preserves for eternity? Do you desire to serve Him? Do you desire to read His Word? Do you desire to communicate with Him, by prayer? Is He becoming in your life all that is, above all that you own, all that your family, friends? If so, then this is only capable of being true if He has given to you the faith necessary to do so, and He will sanctify you in this life as you acquire and apply the knowledge of Him. 

I thought it good

     to declare

the signs and wonders

     that the Most High God

Has worked for me.

     How great are His signs,

and how mighty His

     wonders!

                     Daniel 4:2,3a

This Week Begin With Prayer

Richard L. Crumb