Details

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Is God in the details? I pondered it in a Prayer and Providence class at Western Seminary. I wrestled with it as I tried to make some sense of my part versus God’s part in my own life, especially in the loss of two babies. I poured over the accounts of Job, of Joseph, and of the pharaoh during the Exodus. I couldn’t deny it as I read the scope of scripture and saw God not only accomplish but announce happenings that no one but God could do.

Is God in the details? Have you seen it in 1 Kings? Like chapter 13, where a man of God proclaims to the king that a son of David named Josiah will one day make unspeakable sacrifices on this very altar. The sign given is that the altar will be ripped apart and the ashes poured out, and BOOM, the king’s hand turns leprous and the altar splits in two and ashes pour out. Don’t miss that the man of God pleads for the king’s hand to be restored, and it is (1 Kings 13).

Or, I’m just flipping through the pages here, Jeroboam’s wife goes to the prophet Ahijah to learn whether her sick son Abijah will live or die. Yes, indeed, disguised wife of Jeroboam, the boy will die before you get home. And “as she was crossing the threshold of the house, the boy died” (1 Kings 14). Take the more famous story of Elijah, for example, where there is no rain by the word of the Lord, unending flour in the jar and oil in the jug of the widow, fire from the Lord consuming a sopping altar, followed by rain like there was no tomorrow in response to a prophet on his knees (1 Kings 17-18). Details. What about Ben-Hadad? He leads the mighty Arameans into battle against Israel, a little flock of goats. Let’s fight them on the plains, the Arameans say, for their gods are gods of the hills. But God says, “Because the Arameans have said: The Lord is a god of the mountains and not a god of the valleys, I will hand over all this whole huge army to you. Then you will know that I am the Lord” (1 Kings 20). Seven days later, King Ahab and Israel win. Then there’s the death of disguised King Ahab by the arrow of “a man who drew his bow without taking special aim and struck the king of Israel through the joints of his armor” (1 Kings 22:34 CSB). We could go on.

God is in the details. What does that mean? Lest we over-simplify this working of God in the affairs of His universe, laced throughout this sampling of stories are evidences of God interacting with His creation in real-time. When people heed the prophets’ warning, God responds. As people pray, God acts. Where there is repentance, God relents. Even the most wicked King Ahab is shown mercy from his due judgment when he humbles himself before the Lord (1 Kings 21). The way God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility work together is a complex mystery, for theologians to debate. It’s beyond me and certainly beyond this short blog post. But I think we can safely and biblically say that God is lovingly involved in His creation, fulfilling His Word and His promises, accomplishing His purposes, upholding His perfect character, and is powerfully able to do so down to the details. I think our humble minds can see that, even if we can’t explain it.

God is in the details. What does that mean for you and me? It means God is lovingly involved with us, still keeping His promises and bringing about His purposes according to His perfect attributes, and is powerfully able to work in the details of our lives. We may not understand the half of it, but I think I have seen it, even as recently as today. “God is in the details.” I’ve heard it from friends as they accepted the outcomes of small “circumstances” in their lives. It’s come up again when they had events on a much larger scale crash into their lives. Is God still in the details when, like Job, everything in me wants to say, “What? Why?”

We won’t see or know all the why’s on this side of eternity, but occasionally God pulls back the curtain and gives a glimpse into what He is doing in a situation that looks meaningless from our vantage point under the sun. When He does, like Job, all I can say is, "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 'Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.' I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:2-6 ESV).

God is in the details. I wonder if we’ll see it this month in the book of Jonah? Maybe a fish, maybe a storm, or a plant or a worm? I wonder if we’ll see it this week in our lives? More importantly, will we humbly pray and rest and worship God who is in the details?

1ST THURSDAY CONNECT

We meet monthly to connect over dinner, activities, and teaching from God’s Word. Throughout the month we partner one-to-one to read, discuss, and apply passages from a specific book of the Bible. Resources are available at 1st Thursday Connect, in the church lobby, and on the church website. Our next gathering is February 6, 6:30-8:30 PM. Here are the details.

  • Place: New Life Church, West Linn

  • Dinner: Italian antipasto and minestrone

  • Focus: Missions

This month, missionary to Italy, Alice Simmons, will encourage us with God’s work during her 40 years in Italy. We will hear from God’s Word in 1 Kings and begin our study of the books of Jonah and Nahum for February.

Text Marcia at 503-720-7197 to sign up. If you are on the regular attender list, you can also let us know by text if you will not be able to attend this month. Thank you!

If you took a baby bottle to fill for the First Image Pregnancy Resource fundraiser last month, please either bring your bottle to 1st Thursday Connect or return it to the church office by Sunday, February 9th. Thank you for your participation to help this important ministry.

OPPORTUNITIES

  • Arise: Ignite Compassion, a local conference for women hosted by Western Seminary, will be held Saturday, March 7. Registration is open.

LINKS

Each newsletter we try to include links to articles or books or music that might be of interest or help on various topics. Enjoy!

(Resources are curated but may not always reflect the views of New Life Church.)

Marcia ReavelyComment