September 2, 2011

• "And they cast him out." (John 9) ~ Providence is not surprised

   
  John 9:18  But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. 19  And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? 20  His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: 21  But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. 22  These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. 23  Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
  
  24  Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. 25  He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. 26  Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? 27  He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? 28  Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples. 29  We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is. 30  The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. 31  Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. 32  Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. 33  If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. 34  They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
  
  
  And they cast him out.

  I was born dead and blind
  Spirit breathed, made me alive

  Light of the world brightened my eyes
  I ate true bread, I drank new wine

  But now I sit alone outside
  Humiliated and reviled

  Coldly cast out for the fire inside
  O, where are You, my Lord, God Most High?

  Cast out, I have no continuing city here
  Do You not see, will You not draw near?

  My pain perpetual, my wound incurable
  Will You be to me a stream unreliable?

  Tired and weak, I am thirsty and hungry
  All I know now is the bread of adversity

  Good Shepherd, regard my prayer, hear my cries
  The prayer of the destitute You do not despise

  O, Lord, comfort me in my calamity
  Revive me so I might rejoice in Thee

  Jesus heard that they had cast him out ... and when he had found him ...

  I am Jehovah, child of Mine,
  God all-knowing, God only wise

  Providence is not surprised
  When any lamb is cast outside

  Was I not Myself cast outside
  When dead religion rejected life?

  Was I not mocked, scourged and crucified
  As part of our Father's loving design?

  My child, stay with Me here outside
  Abide with Me, under My wings hide

  Humble yourself to be purified
  A servant to the circumcised

  Corn of wheat, fall into the ground and die
  Take up your cross, hate your life, self deny

  Grace sufficient you will surely find
  I am your portion and full supply

  Learn of Me, My yoke do not despise
  My ways are always good and wise

  In well doing be not weary, nor complain
  Be sure this place My Providence has ordained

  Though you are suffering, grieving and pained
  Know this very trial was foreordained

  In weakness, follow Me and be crucified
  Be raised and conquer by My power divine

  Water of affliction will turn to wine
  Your fainting soul I will revive

  On things above now set your eyes
  For I am the God who satisfies

  So shall My name be glorified
  A marvelous thing in your eyes

  Truly here you have no city continuing
  All who are Mine are strangers and pilgrims

  All My sheep when cast out, I seek and find
  For each I died, in each I take delight

  Cast out child, I know Your wound and pain
  On Me, cast your burden, I will surely sustain

  Spotless Lamb I provided, what now can I spare?
  On My understanding lean, on Me cast each care

  Fix your eyes on Jesus, persevere and run your race
  Joyfully entrust yourself to faithful Providence

  From The Heidelberg Catechism:

  Question 27: What dost thou mean by the providence of God?

  Answer: The almighty and everywhere present power of God; whereby, as it were by his hand, he upholds and governs heaven, earth, and all creatures; so that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, yea, and all things come, not by chance, but by his fatherly hand.

  From The Belgic Confession:

  Article 13: THE DOCTRINE OF GOD'S PROVIDENCE

  We believe that this good God, after he created all things, did not abandon them to chance or fortune but leads and governs them according to his holy will, in such a way that nothing happens in this world without his orderly arrangement.

  Yet God is not the author of, nor can he be charged with, the sin that occurs. For his power and goodness are so great and incomprehensible that he arranges and does his work very well and justly even when the devils and wicked men act unjustly.

  We do not wish to inquire with undue curiosity into what he does that surpasses human understanding and is beyond our ability to comprehend. But in all humility and reverence we adore the just judgments of God, which are hidden from us, being content to be Christ's disciples, so as to learn only what he shows us in his Word, without going beyond those limits.

  This doctrine gives us unspeakable comfort since it teaches us that nothing can happen to us by chance but only by the arrangement of our gracious heavenly Father. He watches over us with fatherly care, keeping all creatures under his control, so that not one of the hairs on our heads (for they are all numbered) nor even a little bird can fall to the ground without the will of our Father.

  In this thought we rest, knowing that he holds in check the devils and all our enemies, who cannot hurt us without his permission and will.

  For that reason we reject the damnable error of the Epicureans, who say that God involves himself in nothing and leaves everything to chance.

  * * *

  Matthew 21:33  Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: 34  And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. 35  And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. 36  Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. 37  But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. 38  But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. 39  And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. 40  When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? 41  They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
  
  42  Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
  
  43  Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44  And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
  
  45  And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. 46  But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

  Acts 2:22  Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24  Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

  * * *

  
  Hebrews 13:10  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. 11  For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. 12  Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. 13  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. 14  For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. 15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

  Revelation 14:4  These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

  * * *

  
  Hebrews 2:16  For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17  Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
  
  18  For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

  Ezekiel 34:11  For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. 12  As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. 13  And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14  I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. 15  I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. 16  I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.

  ---

  Related:

  • All things, even bad things, work together for good.
  • Our Twisted View of God
  • True Calvinism is NOT . . .
  • Habakkuk Hope: "Joy and Peace in Believing" by William Cowper
  • The story of Job: bad luck, God's sovereign will or ?
  • but not too hard with Me (calling, doubt & assurance)
  • ministry, friendships & loneliness: "But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me"
  • ML-J on depression in the ministry
  • suffering & temptation provide us with "constant errands to go to Jesus" (M'Cheyne)
  • here I stand ~ the sparrow's song ~ I have found grace in the eyes of the Lord
  • a word in doubt
  • Letter 23 on assurance and fighting for joy (the basket of sovereign grace)
  • Shall we not drink the cup the Father has given us? (Letter 53 on assurance & fighting for joy)
  • "he constrained his disciples to get into the ship" (Letter 65 on assurance & joy)
  • disappointment ~ appointment | letter 119 on assurance & fighting for joy
  • you are Mine, not of the world (ministry's temptation, sorrow & joy) | letter 122 on assurance & joy
  • "Who wants candles when he has the sun?" ~ Edward Payson | letter 124 on assurance & joy
  • Yes, it's spring, but for those who are in winter today: Isaac Watts' Psalm LXXI
  • "So you led your people to make for yourself a glorious name" (Isaiah 63:14b)
  • Though the waves arose
  • Bible Reading: Ezekiel 34-The True and Good Shepherd's Promises for the Scattered Sheep
  • Do you love the saints . . . ALL the saints? (reflections on church hurts)
  • Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 3

  Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

  HT: John Piper's "The Providence of God, Part 1" for the references to the confession and catechism.

  • 12:18 AM
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