from Rachel: God’s Rule is Right

What are our options [regarding mastering our own lives/destinies] according to Romans 6:16?

“being slaves to sin or slaves to obedience and righteousness.”

The One who has a right to rule is also the One whose rule is right

Do you have authority problems? “No”

How about God’s authority? How convinced are you that you can trust Him? Estimate your level of trust by drawing yourself on the staircase appearing in the margin. Explain briefly why you think you’re on this particular step [#7] right now.

“First, I would cite my philosophy on page 156. I guess I still struggle with that, because, even though I know God can do much more than an earthly parent, there are many situations in life where not everyone can win. I know He has the best plans for me, but sometimes I wonder whether it’s my turn or someone else’s at that time.”
[updated] “3/20/14 – I’m up at least one [rung], maybe two
“Of course, our idea of what’s best for us and God’s are often vastly different. Like Heidi in Frankfurt, we don’t see the bigger picture. Sometimes a move goes badly so we can drive a truck so we can hope to visit our aunt, then not be able to – all to motivate a better reunion a week later – a delightful last lunch together in Jacksonville for all five of us (dad, mom, Julie, aunt, Betty, and me)”

In your Bible, search the other 15 verses [of Isaiah 51:2-16] and mark each time God appears to be trying to get His reader’s full attention. “4, 6, 7, 9”

Why do verses 1-2 apply to Gentile Christians as well as Jews (Galatians 3:29)?

“We who belong to Christ are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.”

Based on Scripture about Abraham and Sarah, which of the following do you think we could learn if we agreed to look to the rock from which we were cut? Check as many as you believe apply: we can…

“believe God can do the impossible (Genesis 18:14)
“admit the futility of taking matters into our own hands (Genesis 16)
“believe God still loves us and can use us even when we detour – if we agree to return to His plan (Genesis 17)
“believe God could still call us righteous based on our faith in him, even if our righteousness acts are like filthy rags (Genesis 15:6, Isaiah 64:6)
“believe that blessing ultimately follows obedience (Genesis 22:18)”

Because the Lord is so compassionate, what can He do with the ruins, deserts, and wastelands of His children’s lives (Isaiah 51:3)?

“He can restore them from barren desolation to vitality, fill them with joy, gladness, thanksgiving, and singing.”

How is the sovereignty of God revealed as you compare Isaiah 51:15 to Isaiah 51:10?

“He has the power to churn up or to dry up the waters, whichever He sees fit to do.”

Reread Isaiah 51:12-14. Why do we not need to fear the wrath of our oppressor, even though he is far more powerful than we are?

“The oppressor is nothing compared to God and God will make him sorry he messed with His child.”

What does God say He is doing in Isaiah 43:18-19? Fill in the blank: ‘See, I am doing a “new” thing!’

Write a prayer to God recounting several specific times He has proved himself as One you can trust and obey.

“Thank You God for being faithful in Your protection and care day by day. Thank You for the windfalls you have brought us. Thank You also for how You’ve carried me through accidents and us through mechanical problems, etc. You are who I can trust and obey.”

Dearest Rachel –

Once again, I’m left wondering about the events that you refer to obliquely in this series of answers. If my memory serves, you were in the process of helping Dana move back down to her home area of Kansas City, and I’m guessing this was when you were able to meet with your parents and Aunt Betty; originally planned for on your way down, but things worked out better to do so on the way back. It was the last time you would see your aunt, as she suffered another stroke and passed away in nursing care (and as I recall, your Dad was none too pleased with how his older sister was cared for, rather blaming them for her passing).

The problem is, I was on the periphery of both of these storylines – that of your helping Dana out as well as the issues regarding your extended family. It didn’t help that I was here working, while you were traveling in order to be a part of both of these, so while I knew about it all, I wasn’t a part of any of it; everything I know is secondhand from your recounting it to me. What gaps there might be in either story cannot be filled in, now that you’re no longer here to remind me of them.

However, judging from what little reference you make to these incidents, you certainly seemed to think that things went better than you had expected them to, especially since things didn’t conform to your original plan – and at this remove in time, at least as observed by me, a non-participant, they all seem fairly insignificant, since virtually all the players involved, save for Dana and your cousin Julie, are no longer around. But they were important to you at the time – as it is with every event we experience – and you were grateful to God for seeing you through despite what may have looked like problems.

Really, there’s little more to add to that, as this is how life seems to be for us all; things don’t work out as we might want them to, but that’s because our plans aren’t God’s. We just have to trust that He has our best interests in mind, which is so much easier said than done. If nothing else, I’d certainly like to flip ahead a few chapters to see how things are supposed to work out, so I could better content myself with my current circumstances. But I guess I, like everyone else, has to wait as each page is turned in its proper order.

Until we get to those later chapters, honey, keep an eye on me, and wish me luck. I’m going to need it.