GOD SEES THE BIG PICTURE
We all have our opinions and comments while reading a book. Some of us are tuned off by the title, the number of pages (too long), or criticize the author’s style. These facts make us quit reading without finishing the story to see the entire picture or message the author is painting in our minds. So it also is with the LORD; He is the Author and Finisher of our faith, the Alpha (beginning) and Omega (ending). He sees the whole picture of our lives; that is why we must always trust His counsel. The LORD knows the ending of our lives as we walk with Him by faith: He has the bird's-eye view, He sees and knows all things.
In John 11: 1-45, we read the story of Lazarus of Bethany. In v.6, he was sick and Jesus was called upon to come and heal him; but Jesus lingered for days, for a purpose: to reveal the big picture so that the Father would be glorified. The LORD Himself told the disciples plainly that Lazarus had gone from being sick to being dead. He told them that He was glad for their sake that it happened so that they will believe in Him. He said this because He knew what would happen at the end. In v.32 Mary even told the LORD that if He had been there her brother would not have died. Which is the best in Lazarus’ case: to be healed or raised from the dead? He has the power to do both, but one of the two was in another dimension that was never witnessed in Israel which brought glory to God and ultimately many believed on Him; this was God’s eternal purpose.
The people had witnessed miraculous healings, but not a four-day old corpse raised back to life.
Sometimes we look at the small things that are important to us for God to give us a breakthrough, but He knows what is more beneficial to us than the temporary we are facing. When confronted with the issues of life we always recite Jeremiah 29:11, (King James Version) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end but do we trust God, who sees the true picture of the situation and what He is able to do?
Matthew 9:2-8 is about the story of the paralytic man that was brought to Jesus to be healed. Jesus’ response was “Son be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” The Lord knew this man had hindrances (sins) which would prevent his miracle from taking place, so Jesus had to deal with the sins first. The man encountered the finished work on the cross at Calvary to be set free from sin and let Jesus within his heart; he believed and therefore his miraculous healing happened. In James 5:15, it is evident that at times healing is tied to forgiveness of sins, And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven.
Another example of God’s sovereign knowledge and infinite wisdom is recorded in Exodus 13:17, And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt. Isn’t our God Awesome, the Omnipotent, the All-Knowing One; His ways are past finding out. The good God knew what the Israelites would or would not be able to handle, so He was watching out for them in the journey to the Promised Land. The people did not know or understand His way, yet they constantly murmured against the Most High which was to their disadvantage and destruction. God knew and saw the true picture, but not the Israelites; they only saw their present hardship (the trying of their faith) which was to build their faith in the LORD Jehovah.
The LORD has our best interests at heart, He promised never to leave or forsake us. All He requires is our total confidence in Him. He sees the big picture of every situation we go through, He is Omnipresent. In Psalm 139:17-18, the bible says How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them. If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand....
Here are some scripture to digest:
God is with us through every situation, in every trial - protecting, loving, guiding. He knows and loves us completely. He is ever faithful and true. Amen
In John 11: 1-45, we read the story of Lazarus of Bethany. In v.6, he was sick and Jesus was called upon to come and heal him; but Jesus lingered for days, for a purpose: to reveal the big picture so that the Father would be glorified. The LORD Himself told the disciples plainly that Lazarus had gone from being sick to being dead. He told them that He was glad for their sake that it happened so that they will believe in Him. He said this because He knew what would happen at the end. In v.32 Mary even told the LORD that if He had been there her brother would not have died. Which is the best in Lazarus’ case: to be healed or raised from the dead? He has the power to do both, but one of the two was in another dimension that was never witnessed in Israel which brought glory to God and ultimately many believed on Him; this was God’s eternal purpose.
The people had witnessed miraculous healings, but not a four-day old corpse raised back to life.
Sometimes we look at the small things that are important to us for God to give us a breakthrough, but He knows what is more beneficial to us than the temporary we are facing. When confronted with the issues of life we always recite Jeremiah 29:11, (King James Version) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end but do we trust God, who sees the true picture of the situation and what He is able to do?
Matthew 9:2-8 is about the story of the paralytic man that was brought to Jesus to be healed. Jesus’ response was “Son be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” The Lord knew this man had hindrances (sins) which would prevent his miracle from taking place, so Jesus had to deal with the sins first. The man encountered the finished work on the cross at Calvary to be set free from sin and let Jesus within his heart; he believed and therefore his miraculous healing happened. In James 5:15, it is evident that at times healing is tied to forgiveness of sins, And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven.
Another example of God’s sovereign knowledge and infinite wisdom is recorded in Exodus 13:17, And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt. Isn’t our God Awesome, the Omnipotent, the All-Knowing One; His ways are past finding out. The good God knew what the Israelites would or would not be able to handle, so He was watching out for them in the journey to the Promised Land. The people did not know or understand His way, yet they constantly murmured against the Most High which was to their disadvantage and destruction. God knew and saw the true picture, but not the Israelites; they only saw their present hardship (the trying of their faith) which was to build their faith in the LORD Jehovah.
The LORD has our best interests at heart, He promised never to leave or forsake us. All He requires is our total confidence in Him. He sees the big picture of every situation we go through, He is Omnipresent. In Psalm 139:17-18, the bible says How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them. If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand....
Here are some scripture to digest:
- Hebrews 10:35-36, Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward. For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise.
- Isaiah 26:4, Trust ye in the LORD for ever, for in the LORD Jehovah is everlasting strength.
- Psalm 73:28, But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the LORD GOD.
- Psalm 118:6, It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
- Proverbs 3: 5-7, Trust in the LORD with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes, fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
God is with us through every situation, in every trial - protecting, loving, guiding. He knows and loves us completely. He is ever faithful and true. Amen
