GOD CAN NEVER BE STRANDED (Part 1)

THE HUMAN ULTIMATE CONTEST AGAINST GOD

From antiquity, God has always been the centre of humanity, and as such, he demands all the glory because he deserves it. Nothing in one’s life should stand at par or equate with the God of creation, it should not even be heard of at all. The God of creation or the creation God is the metaphysical reality in virtually all religions, but most prevalent in the monotheistic religions - Christianity, Islam and Judaism. God is God all by himself. He does not need to prove anything to the human race or seek human validation to get his well-deserved honour and glory. We are talking about the God of all creation who placed everything in order in just six days. In the biblical narration, the Bible emphasises that God created the universe and is distinct from it, not that the universe is a form of God. he made everything he would like to see quick enough for him to declare a day of rest for himself (Genesis 2:1-3). That is why the psalmist emphatically stated that “The earth and everything it contains are the Lord's. The world and all who live in it are his. Ps 24:1, (GOD'S WORD). Here, the scripture is presenting to us the absoluteness of God over not just the heavens alone, but also the earth. This part of the creation should not be considered as inconsiderable in the events and schemes of the divinity for the cosmos. If so, then nobody should see themselves as indispensable in this world. In whatever position you have found yourself, thank God for the grace of God that brought you there. If you understand this well, we will not be contentious against God about our lives.

THE HUMAN CONTEST AGAINST GOD

“And he said, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." 1 Kings 19:15 (NKJV)

Our cognitive endowment and our intellectualism are two prevailing factors that make us think that God needs us at all costs. Yes, God does need you, but God cannot be stranded or held to ransom. There has never been and there will never be such a time in human history when the creator will be at the mercy of the creature. Even Jesus in his bodily form could not hold God to ransom, even though he was a member of the trinity and privy to the terms of assignment, he only persuaded God, not commanded him, yet, he left his desires at the mercy of God’s will. Meaning let your divine will prevail over my own desires. While he was close to the moment of truth about his ministry, which is the crucifixion, he begged God to rewrite the story of his life. Jesus prayed, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; Matt 26:39, NKJV.

So many of us have been wrestling with God all our lives over a given responsibility assigned to us from heaven. We forget that we are wired carefully to bear that burden, and no one else can do that for you. Failure to do so sets you up against God, and guess what, you have no hiding place from the eyes of God. Ps 139:7-12 presents it like this, “where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. NIV. David presents all the possible permutations of trying to hide from God, but soon discovered that “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth”. (2 Chronicles 16:9)

Dear saints of God, you need to know this God and what he can do, should you fault his commandments for your life, or derail from the path he has planted you.

• Ask Jonah, it was a firsthand prison experience in the belly of a fish for three days. (Jonah 1:1-17).

• Ask Prophet Eli, when God was calling his attention to the faults of his children, he and his two sons died, and the wife of one of the sons gave birth prematurely. 1 Samuel 4:1–18

• Ask Moses, who was instructed to speak to the rock, but out of rage against the nation, struck the rock twice, and it cost him the promised land. Numbers 20:11-12.

• Ask Judas Iscariot, who thought he was playing pranks with the life of Jesus by betraying him and went to hide to see the outcome, he committed suicide afterwards. Matthew 27:3–10.

• Ask Elymas or, better still, Bar-Jesus, who was opposing the gospel of Jesus being preached by Paul and Barnabas, he paid with his sight. Acts 13:6-12

The more we understand god's sovereignty, the more our prayers will be filled with thanksgiving. Remember that those who know their God shall be strong and do great exploits (Dan 11:32b).