Scripture shows us that God is not only good, wise, sovereign, but also surprsing. He does new things which are often unexpected and astonishing but full of wisdom far beyond what we could ever imagine. This new and surprising way of working is what God’s word of comfort to his people through Isaiah was all […]
In chapter 40, Isaiah established the fundamental principles about God to assure Israel of God’s power and eagerness to save them. Now in chapter 41, Isaiah brings these principles into clearer focus. This section begins and ends with God addressing the nations, but in between is a lengthy section of comfort and reassurance given to […]
In Isaiah 40 the prophet has been speaking of God’s promised comfort in vv. 1-11. God was not done with his people and he would not leave them in exile. He would forgive them, restore them, and even commission them to proclaim his good news of salvation! And to assure us of his power to […]
After being hurled into the raging sea, God mercifully preserves Jonah’s life by sovereingly appointing a great sea creature to swallow him. From the belly of the fish, Jonah offers a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord from the belly of the fish, acknowledging that he had been spared from a death he deserved. In […]
In this sermon, pastor Joel shows us the absolute sovereignty of God over all things and the futility of our attempts to outrun, outwit, or ignore him. But we not only see God’s sovereignty over nature in the story of Jonah but also unstoppable mercy. Despite Jonah’s disobedience and attempts to frustrate God’s plan, God’s […]
Since chapter 9, Paul has been considering the unbelief of Israel and their rejection of the Gospel. As Paul concludes his second survey of this question in chapter 10, he gives two possible explanations for why Israel hasn’t called on the name of the Lord before providing us with the answer. By the end of […]
Our God is a God of both sovereign and surprising mercy. While it’s true that he is unchanging, reliable, and faithful to perform his word, he nevertheless tends to surprise us, especially in his displays of mercy and salvation. And one of the clearest examples of this is seen in the formation of true Israel […]
Paul has been explaining in Romans 9 how God’s purpose in election guarantees the fulfillment of all his promises. But he knows that this teaching will raise some very serious objections. Insisting that salvation is solely based on God’s initiative, his decision, his purpose, his choice will cause many to ask: “How is that fair?” […]
Our emotions and experiences would have us believe the lie that there is nothing good in the fiery furnace of trial. Present suffering can convince us that our lives are nothing more than broken pieces of glass, wasted and worthless. But behind the scenes, regardless of what we feel, God is putting all these pieces […]
