04102021 On Man's Side

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God with the biggest heart in the universe. No one else can match the love that God has for mankind, even in his fallen state.

Lesson #33. Even in suffering, God is on man's side. Often, people mistakenly equate trials with God's displeasure. They might complain that God is ignoring them or doesn't care. They might attribute their difficulties to God's anger, cruelty, detachment, or apathy.

Nothing could be further from the truth. What God most desires for people is that they be rightly related to Him, that they have a vital and prospering relationship with Him. God might be required to take extreme measures to try to achieve that, and sometimes man's rejection of God's efforts results in a life of tragedy. Overall, however, God is faithfully working with men, even in (or especially in) the difficult times of life. God is calling men, instructing them, and trying to get them to walk in right paths, because He well knows the blessing of such a life.

Elihu summarized the concept this way: "Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living" (33:29-30). Elihu stated that God regularly works with men, desiring to give them true life. God doesn't try to keep men in ignorance and doesn't reject the efforts and desires of those who seek Him. God wants growth and faithfulness, and He will repeatedly work with man to achieve those ends.

When Elihu speaks of "all these things" that God repeatedly does, what are those efforts of God? The previous verses have listed at least six components.

First, God speaks to man (vs. 14-15). "For God speaketh once, yea twice." God tries various types of communication, today primarily through the Bible or the Holy Spirit, but sometimes by means of another person by way of a testimony, sermon, encouragement, book, or other input. God wants man to have His truth.

Second, God opens men's ears to hear and absorb the instruction (v. 16). "Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction." It is a work of God's grace that He sometimes makes man's heart sensitive to His teaching. God brings conviction and deeply works His truth until men accept and embrace it.

Third, God influences man against wrong choices (v. 17). "That he may withdraw man from his purpose." There are choices so devastating that they can have life-long negative impact. God wants men to make right choices and to walk in paths that will benefit their spiritual walk. Whether it be through restrictions externally placed by others, through providential intervention, or through the work of internal conviction, God consistently tries to guide men into good paths.

Fourth, God keeps man alive (v. 18). "He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword." Sin, whether through personal choices or through the pervasive impact on the world, often brings physical death at an earlier-than-normal age. People who are dead cannot come to God and cannot turn back to Him. So God often extends life, perhaps even defying death, to give men more opportunities.

Fifth, God chastens man (vs. 19-22). "He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain." By nature, man is obstinate and defiant. He naturally rejects God and seeks his own way. Nevertheless, God loves man and wants a relationship with him. So He often does what is necessary to get man's attention and to drive man to the end of himself. This is not for the purpose of destruction, but with the desire for reconciliation.

Sixth, God intervenes to bring man back to truth and God (vs. 23-28). "To shew unto man his uprightness." Man often wanders and strays from truth. Sadly, some of those diversions are so extreme that they end in misery and destruction. That isn't God's desire. God wants reconciliation. God wants man to come back. God wants man to return to Him and to the truth he has known. God wants to restore man to a life of blessing and fellowship, of victory and rejoicing in God. God wants man to be able to give this testimony: "He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light" (v. 28).

Yes, God is on man's side. He wants the best for man. He wants him to walk in a right relationship with Him, which is the best possible scenario. God doesn't stand idly by and hope that will happen. Because God earnestly desires it, He puts forth deliberate effort to achieve it. That effort may require some methods that are difficult, but the end result is worthwhile.

Life is sometimes hard. There is no question of that fact. However, it is a mistake to assume that a hard life corresponds to God's displeasure or disinterest. The heart of God is beautifully revealed in this sermon by Elihu. God's heart is for man. God's heart is for reconciliation, relationship, and fellowship. God's heart is for right choices and a right life that will bring blessing. (If this is true even for those in rebellion against God, it is surely true for those who are trying to follow Him!) God uses means to achieve what His heart desires. The use of means, even those that are difficult, is an evidence of God's caring heart. God is trying so much because He loves so much.

Thank God for His patient care and intervention! He has done so much already in our lives. May we continue to humbly follow Him, so that He can continue His blessed work.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA