You often look at your children and wish they would be a bit more humble and teachable. You long for them to be submissive and heed the counsel of their loving parents. Truth be known, you really do not wish to control them. It is not that you desire to run their lives. No, it is only that you wish to not see them ruin their lives. For most of you, you have no interest in being control freaks who lord over your children as a puppeteer does his toy. If they could see your hearts, they would know how desperately you want them to thrive. You want them to grow up and move out. Their independence is desirable to you. It is your prayerful end that they would mature, become independent, prosper, and enjoy the most this life offers. However, in the process, because you are passionate to help them avoid learning too many lessons the hard way, you call them to stop, listen, and obey.
Friends, God feels the same way. He is the older one. He has been around for a long time. He is the wiser one; quite a bit of water has passed under his bridge. He knows the past, present, and future. Omniscience is one of his attributes, and wisdom is one of his gifts. He is the creator of man. He is the one who came up with the idea. He is the one who flawlessly designed humankind. He is the one who wrote the program by which we are to function best. And, he is the lover of man. He cares for his children much more than they can comprehend. As parent, you are sinful and selfish, and yet the folly of your children troubles you. He is perfectly holy. He loves with a perfect love. Imagine his pain as he watches his cherished ones disregard his counsel and head down the path towards ruin. That being said, it is fair to imagine God in heaven, right now, looking down and calling out to his children, “My beloved sons and daughters, look at my Son; he is my Chosen One; listen to him.”
This is what God said to the disciples on the mountain when Jesus was transfigured. This is found in the ninth chapter of Luke’s Gospel:
Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” (Luke 9:28-35)
Do you see what is happening? The hidden glory of Jesus is being made manifest. He is much more than merely the humble carpenter. He is the brilliant King of kings whom Isaiah saw seated on the throne, high and lifted up, with cherubim flying all around him.
Do you see who is talking? It is the Heavenly Father who is thundering forth from the clouds.
Do you see what the Heavenly Father is doing and saying? He is drawing the attention of his sophomoric disciples to Jesus, the Son, the Chosen One. He is addressing these well-intentioned but blubbering men and encouraging them to stop, listen, and obey.
Can you not hear the Heavenly Father saying the same to you? He has a book full of wisdom; will you open it? He has men and women whom he has gifted as teachers; will you sit under their guidance? The Holy Spirit is ready to aid you in making decisions; will you pray? He is so wise. He knows what is best. He loves you so much.
Will you stop a minute and cease your ceaseless blubbering?
Will you read and study?
Will you pray?
The Father is pointing you towards the Wonderful Counselor. He has an appointment book with your name in it. He has a personal action plan waiting for you. He wants to lead and prosper you. Will you stand him up? Would you be so arrogant — again?
Unfathomable Grace 