ACCEPTED BY GOD

A universal need within mankind is a desire to be accepted. Accepted for who we are, the personality we have, the things we do or don’t do, etc. This may seen like an unlikely scripture to ponder for this need but it is a foundational truth to stand on.

Good News: He has made us accepted in the beloved! (Eph. 1:6)

Romans 11:33 – Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and His ways past finding out.

Let’s break that verse down a little more through some definitions of the words it contains about God’s wisdom and knowledge:

• Depth of the riches = refers to the unmeasurable abundance of both God’s wisdom and knowledge.

• Unsearchable = beyond search or investigation

• Past finding out = untraceable or completely comprehended.

• Some synonyms could be:

o unfathomable = difficult or impossible to understand or measure;

o Inexhaustible = cannot be entirely consumed or used up;

o Inscrutable = difficult to understand or interpret; impenetrable;

o Impossible = incapable of having existence, occurring, being accomplished.

1) There are many things in life that would fit any of the above descriptions (troubles, difficulties, pain, sorrow, unexpected events, confusing circumstances, unwanted situations or even on the more positive side of life, those miracles, unexpected solutions, romantic relationships, and so much more.)

• Some of these cause us to question ‘why me’ and some ‘why not me.’

• The point is, God has wisdom for every situation we will face in life that will give us counsel and solutions.

• He has knowledge far beyond ours; details that we are probably unaware of about our circumstances and those they involve.

2) Here are a few scripture passages that give us a glimpse of how important each of us is to the Lord who created us:

• Psalm 139:1-4 – O Lord, you examine me and know (me thoroughly). You know when I sit down and when I get up; even from far away you understand my motives. You carefully observe me when I travel or when I lie down to rest; you are aware of everything I do. Certainly my tongue does not frame a word without you, O Lord, being thoroughly aware of it.

o God knows our thoughts, ways, intentions, and motives; our whereabouts, and all the details in where we are and who we’re with and the conversations we speak.

• Psalm 139:12-13, 15-16 – even the darkness is not too dark for you to see, and the night is as bright as day; darkness and light are the same to you. Certainly you made my mind and heart; you wove me together in my mother’s womb…my bones were not hidden from you, when I was made in secret and sewed together in the depths of the earth.

o Nothing is unknown about us to God. He is not only our creator, but because of that fact, we are NOT a mistake! He was intentional in giving each of us life.

• Matt. 9:4 and Jn. 2:24-25 tell us that Jesus know(s) our thoughts as well as what is (was) in man. He knows why we think as we do; where it stems from and how it affects our words and behavior.

• I Sam. 16:7b - …for the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

When you think of a time that you faced a difficult an impossible situation, OR a worst-case scenario, OR a turning point event that changed your life, how did you react or respond?

• Reactions tend to be automatic actions taken under the influence of a stimulus. The situation prompts us to action by exerting an equal force within us to the opposing or contrary situation we find ourselves in. Not all of our automatic reactions are bad – we should flee from danger just as we should flee from sins.

• Response = is when we make an intentional reply/answer in a way that is more favorable. Our response can come through a quick prayer to the Lord for His counsel, such as Nehemiah did when the King he was serving noticed his sad face and asked him what the trouble was and how he could help. (Neh. 2:1-5). This attention made Nehemiah terribly frightened, knowing the King had authority to act with judgement or mercy. His prayer of trust to the Lord emboldened him to ask for favor, which he received.

3) Seeing from God’s perspective is a must for us to change our limited point-of-view. Here are some truths from scripture to help us do that:

• I Cor. 10:13 – No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.

o He makes a way of escape, a solution; yet we have to learn of it by going to Him.

• Ro. 11:29 – The gifts and calling of God are without repentance (NET – irrevocable)

o That gift comes through Christ Jesus (Ro. 5:16-18; 6:23) and is eternal.

• Isaiah 55:8-9 – God’s ways… [and] thoughts are higher than our ways [and] thoughts. His knowledge is broader, deeper, higher, and more encompassing than our could ever be.

4) Some Examples from the Bible:

• Adam and Eve were exited from the Garden for their benefit – to prevent them from eternal separation from God.) (Gen. 3:24)

• Abram’s descendants (Israel) were prophesied to become a great nation who would increase within the safety of Egypt. Yet God knew they would eventually become enslaved and need deliverance (Gen. 15:13-14 + Ex. 12:40). God knows our future and how to get us and grow us to where and who He wants us to be!!

• Israel’s deliverance and development in the wilderness (Ex. 13:17-18; 14:4, 10-31) –

o God did not lead them through the land of the Philistines although that was near, so they would change their minds when faced with war. (Ex. 13:17-18) He chose the Red Sea route which would prove His mighty ability to make a way when there wasn’t one, and to defeat their enemy.

• Jesus’ birth was prophesied in Isa. 7:14 that his mother would be a virgin when pregnant with him. Then in Luke 1 (v. 26-35) an angel communicates with Mary and Joseph about his birth, the need to trust that this was of God, and that they would protect and raise God’s very own Son.

As we conclude, how do these stories and these verses affect your thinking about God’s acceptance of you?

• How does it affect your ‘need’ to understand or know all the details of ‘why’ you are encountering the difficulties of life?

• Can you trust Him who created you to know what is best for you? To avenge you when need be? To rescue you and show you a solution for the situation?

Two last verses I’d like to leave you with:

Deut. 32:10 – He [God] found him [Jacob] in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of His eye.

Zech. 2:8 – For this is what the Lord of hosts says: ….he that touches you touches the apple of His eye.

What a tremendous image! We – YOU – are the apple of His eye. How quickly we react and respond to protect the eye when something happens to it – a blast of air, a finger poke, sand, whatever. It’s an automatic as well as an intentional action that takes place. God is like that where you are concerned. The action He takes is always for your protection, preservation, and promotion (to better you.)