Evaluating God

Does the title of this blog bother you?

It should. Unfortunately, there is quite a lot of questioning going on these days when it comes to God and His word. Even some of today’s biblical scholars presume to question God and evaluate His word. Some give Him no more respect than mythological gods, and assign His word no more value than other ancient writings.

When a person questions God, he is calling God into account as if God must answer to him.

When a person scoffs at God’s word, he stands in judgment of God’s declaration. Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, scoffed at God’s words delivered by an angel. In contrast, Mary accepted God’s word, even though she found it extraordinary and difficult to understand.

Job listened and responded to his friends when they came to console him. Over and over they concluded that Job’s misfortune was evidence of his sin. After all, in their thinking, good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people. Job maintained his innocence, but he went too far. He kept telling them that if he could have an audience with God, then God would defend him; God would vindicate him.

On the one hand Job was correct. His suffering was not a result of sin. (Sometimes bad things happen to good people.) However, it was not his place to call God to the witness stand to vindicate him. When God spoke to Job he started:

Who is this that darkens counsel

By words without knowledge?

Now gird up your loins like a man,

And I will ask you, and you instruct Me!

—Job 38:2-3 (NASB95)

Job had been stating his case, and in doing so, demanding an answer from God. He presumed to have God answer to him.

God answered Job with more than fifty questions (as well as numerous statements) relating to creation. Then He said to Job:

Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? He who rebukes God, let him answer it. 

—Job 40:2 (NKJV)

God is not subject to our scrutiny. We may question whether the Hebrew and Greek documents that contain God’s word are authentic, but we must not question what God said. We must evaluate ourselves and even our own congregation of the Lord’s church, but not God.

The Bereans studied the Scriptures to evaluate Paul’s words. Note well, however, that the Scriptures were the standard by which Paul’s words were evaluated. (Acts 17:10)

We might wonder when God will fulfill a promise, yet not question the promise. We might ask for God’s help and then ponder His ways and inquire about His will. And yet, we should never question His character, His justice, His love.

Moses and the Apostle Paul wrote of God:

The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He. 

—Deuteronomy 32:4

Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 

—Romans 11:33

God identified Himself to Israel: I am who I am. He does not exist to be evaluated by man, but to be revered and obeyed.

In the end, it is God who will be evaluating mankind. And His judgment will be carried out according to the words of Jesus (John 12:48).

Mark Stinnett

March 27, 2022

Uncut Stones

What would you rather have, an uncut gem stone or a beautifully cut gem? If you are a man, which would you give to your wife? If you are a woman, which would you prefer to receive?

I think we would all agree that an uncut gem stone is relatively unimpressive. It doesn’t have the value or eye appeal that a cut or polished stone has.

Which do you think God would like best?

You might be wondering if that is relevant question. However, I have a reason for asking because there is a connection that will profoundly impact our attitude toward God and his things.

God instructed Joshua, the leader of Israel, to build an altar for the offering of animal sacrifices. God specifically instructed Joshua to use uncut stones (Joshua 8:31). Joshua was actually carrying out instruction from the Law of Moses:

If you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it. 

 —Exodus 20:25

To profane something is to make it common or unholy.

Surely, you see the connection. It is not about what God likes, as if He thinks uncut stones have more eye appeal. God knew that stones that bore the design and work of men would attract the attention of men and distract from God. The uncut stones are the design of the Creator; cut stones, the design of man.

Shortly after Israel was freed from Egypt, God instructed Moses in the building of a tabernacle. God called it “a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them [Israel]” (Exodus 25:9).

One might think that the tabernacle would have been profaned by the people who did the actual work. But God had a solution:

I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship. 

—Exodus 31:3-5

When a person saw the tabernacle and all that was in it, he knew at a glance that it was the work of God. It was God’s design and the builders were given extraordinary knowledge and skill by the Holy Spirit.

New Testament Christianity was built, so to speak, with uncut stones: no prayer cloths or candles, no statues or stained glass, no musical instruments, no elaborate buildings, no artwork, and no special garments for leaders. All of these things are of men, not God. So, they tend to glorify their maker...man.

We see uncut stones as plain and unimpressive. So, we like to polish the stones, that is, make things more desirable to our senses. Yet, we can learn from God’s point of view as Paul described the ministry of the gospel:

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves. 

 —2 Corinthians 4:7

God is glorified in the things of His design. When man wields his tool on the things of God, they are profaned and man is glorified. The same applies to man himself. God made man in His own image, a kind of uncut stone. Yet man went beyond God’s design when he sinned. In doing so he profaned himself, making himself unholy. Through Christ God is transforming us into His image, that which is holy and glorious.

Mark Stinnett

March 20, 2022

How Complicated is Prayer?

Prayer requests. Sometimes you are asked to pray for others. Sometimes you need others to pray for you. Do you always know the exact need? Do you always know how to pray?

For a number of years I have heard people ask for prayers for a loved one, yet add specific instructions for those praying. Instead of just praying for God's help, it goes something like this: When you pray for my brother, be sure and pray that the tumor shrinks. Of course, that is based on the prognosis of the doctors tending to the patient. Or, perhaps people are instructed to pray that a friend would stop drinking (alcoholic drinks).

Let me ask, Have we narrowed down the problem so that we are praying for what is best? To be honest, I don’t know if the doctors have diagnosed the issue correctly. Assuming that they have (a good assumption), are there underlying issues that are undetectable?

As for the friend with a drinking problem, is controlling the drink the solution? Is there an underlying problem that needs attention?

My point: I would not want to make a request to God that is so focused that if He answered it according to my human understanding, it would actually restricts His grace. So, here’s something to think about from Scripture:

God said, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” 

—Isaiah 55:9

When it comes to things beyond my control, I am content to leave my difficulties in the hands of God. He can assess the situation far better than I can and He can bring about a result far greater than what I might imagine. 

So, just pray.

__________

Some folks like to call on prayer warriors when they have a prayer request. I know what a warrior is, and I think I know what they mean. Yet, I am making an assumption because I have not read the literature in which this term originated. (It is not in the Bible.) So I have to make something up in my mind. I don’t know if I am correct in my assumption and I don’t even know if I am a prayer warrior. The request begins, “I want all you prayer warriors to….” 

Is that me? 

Am I a part of the group? 

I intend no sarcasm, I just don’t know.

When I wish to call on fellow believers to pray, I think of a verse that gives hope:

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 

—James 5:16

It might sound critical, but I’d rather find a righteous person to pray for me than a prayer warrior.

I fear that many Christians today are more impressed with religious trends and exciting new terminology than the simple word of God.

Here are two more Bible verses about prayer for your consideration:

The Spirit also helps our weaknesses; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

—Romans 8:26

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

—Philippians 4:6

I don’t think focused prayer and prayer warriors are bad or wrong. Perhaps both make sense. But prayer is really simple; it is communication to God from our hearts.

He cares.

He listens. 

Let’s not make prayer complicated. 

Just pray.

Mark Stinnett

March 13, 2022

That's Impossible!

Stunned that the fig tree withered right after Jesus cursed it, the disciples asked how the fig tree withered all at once. Jesus replied:

Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and cast into the sea,” it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.

—Matthew 21:19-22

When Abraham was 99 years old God spoke to him and restated His covenant promises. Then God spoke of Sarah, Abraham’s 90-year-old barren wife…

I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her.

—Genesis 17:1-16

THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE!

Moses stood with the nation of Israel at the Red Sea after they had been delivered by God from Egyptian slavery. The army of Pharaoh had pinned them down with nowhere to go. Then, God said to Moses:

As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land.

—Exodus 14:1-16

THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE!

God told Joshua to have the army of Israel march around the city of Jericho once each day for six days. Then, on the seventh day, He had them march around the city seven times, blow trumpets and give a loud shout, after which…

The wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people will go up every man straight ahead. 

 —Joshua 6:5

THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE!

God told Gideon that his army was too large, so 22,000 men were sent home. Still too large, God whittled it down to 300 men. Israel victorious over the Midianite army of 135,000 soldiers? Do the math. That’s 450 Midianites to each Israelite! (Judges 6-8) The odds were not good...no…

THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE!

Young David stood in the valley of Elah opposite the Philistine warrior hero, Goliath, a giant measuring 9 feet, 4 inches. David called out…

You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the Lord will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you.

—1 Samuel 17:45-46

THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE!

The angel Gabriel came to a virgin girl named Mary and told her that she would bear a son and call Him Jesus. He would be the Son of God.

THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE!

So, Mary asked how that could be…and Gabriel replied...

For nothing will be impossible with God.

—Luke 1:26-38

Stunned with the strong teaching of Jesus about those with great wealth, the disciples asked, "Then who can be saved?"

Jesus responded...

With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

—Matthew 19:16-26

When men follow their research they are sure to achieve predictable human results. Yet, over and over, God has done the impossible. I think it’s time to spend less time researching and more time praying to God.

Mark Stinnett

March 6, 2022