The Sovereign Prerogatives of God. Part [14] 12/28/2024 (Morning thought)

Matthew 26: 31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. 33 Peter answered and said unto him, though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

Therefore, with Christ’s perfect foreknowledge of Peter will certainly do, He puts a safety net in place, just as He did, before the foundation of the world when the contract between The Father and Jesus was signed, sealed, and later delivered. All of the actors will play their part exactly as Jesus has predicted, with no infringement whatsoever on their freedom of choice. Even the cock will play his role, on time, immediately after Peter is finished swearing. That’s because God’s ability to read future events accurately is undisputable, a fact we must all be resigned to.

Matthew 26:34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise, also said all the disciples. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples and finds them asleep, and saith unto Peter, what, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Matthew 26:73 And after a while came unto him, they that stood by, and said to Peter, surely, thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrays thee. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!

The Sovereign Prerogatives of God. Part [13] 12/28/2024 (Evening thought)

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Thus, it is, with God’s implementation of the plan of salvation. He also, like us, took a serious hit, for it is not like if Jesus stayed up there in heaven and just watched us being battered, bruised, and scarred. He rolled up His sleeves, and buckled up His boots, and came and died in the process of salvation. Thus, as far as suffering is concerned, He took much more of a hit than anyone of us will ever take.

This solemn truth should now cause every mumbling word to be hushed, and every question of God’s goodness to be permanently laid to rest. Now, some may argue that if The Lord had revealed the outcome in the garden of Eden, with all of the gory details and adverse consequences that would stretch millennia into the future then Adam and Eve would have chosen to do differently.

That this is not necessarily the case is made clear, as when Jesus told Peter of a definite adverse outcome that would accrue, by his course of action, and yet, as the record shows, Peter still went ahead, and did exactly as God’s foreknowledge had prophesied. Peter’s freedom of choice was left intact, but yet the perfection of God’s omniscience was made manifest when on several occasions, Peter does exactly what Jesus said he will do.

Luke 22: 31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fails not: and when thou art converted strengthen thy brethren.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!