THE WISDOM OF GOD
Trusting God by Jerry Bridges • Sermon • Submitted
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· 5 viewsThe Wisdom of God is something we all need.
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The ESV Study Bible Chapter 11
Fear here does not refer to a paralyzing fear. Rather, it is the kind of humble fear that does not take God or salvation for granted, or think lightly of his displeasure
God is infinite in wisdom. He always knows what is best for us, and He knows the best way to bring it about.
God is infinite in wisdom. He always knows what is best for us, and He knows the best way to bring it about.
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (p. 285). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
God does not struggle/agonize over any decision.
God does not struggle/agonize over any decision.
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
Wisdom is commonly defined as good judgment or the ability to develop the best course of action or the best response to a given situation.
Wisdom is commonly defined as good judgment or the ability to develop the best course of action or the best response to a given situation.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (p. 112). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
Whoever gets sense loves his own soul;
he who keeps understanding will discover good.
The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.
Nineteenth-century theologian J. L. Dagg described wisdom “as consisting in the selection of the best end of action, and the adoption of the best means for the accomplishment of this end.”
Nineteenth-century theologian J. L. Dagg described wisdom “as consisting in the selection of the best end of action, and the adoption of the best means for the accomplishment of this end.”
He then said, “God is infinitely wise, because he selects the best possible end of action . . . [and] because he adopts the best possible means for the accomplishment of the end which he has in view.”
He then said, “God is infinitely wise, because he selects the best possible end of action . . . [and] because he adopts the best possible means for the accomplishment of the end which he has in view.”
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (p. 112). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
The best possible end of all of God’s actions is ultimately His glory. That is, all that God does or allows in all of His creation will ultimately serve His glory.
The best possible end of all of God’s actions is ultimately His glory. That is, all that God does or allows in all of His creation will ultimately serve His glory.
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (p. 112). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written,
“The Deliverer will come from Zion,
he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”;
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Ephesians 1:
so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”
Revelation 4:11
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
So, how do we explain tough circumstances (i.e. disasters, loss of loved one, evil, etc.)?
So, how do we explain tough circumstances (i.e. disasters, loss of loved one, evil, etc.)?
First, we do not try and explain it away.
First, we do not try and explain it away.
Second, we trust God to be working this out.
Second, we trust God to be working this out.
Third, we understand and accept that we do not have all the answers or even the big picture.
Third, we understand and accept that we do not have all the answers or even the big picture.
Novice chess player-Beauty out of ashes
There is no question that we live in a hostile world. A fallen one.
There is no question that we live in a hostile world. A fallen one.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
God is able to take all of these elements—the bad as well as the good—and make full use of every one.
God is able to take all of these elements—the bad as well as the good—and make full use of every one.
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (pp. 113-114). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
“For we are being handled by a wisdom which is perfect, a wisdom which can achieve what it [intends] by taking hold of things and people which are meant for evil and making them work together for good.”--Quoted from a very old, undated, and unsigned article in the author’s file from a British publication, A Witness and a Testimony.
“For we are being handled by a wisdom which is perfect, a wisdom which can achieve what it [intends] by taking hold of things and people which are meant for evil and making them work together for good.”--Quoted from a very old, undated, and unsigned article in the author’s file from a British publication, A Witness and a Testimony.
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (p. 351). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (p. 114). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (p. 114). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (p. 114). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
The good that God works for in our lives is conformity to the likeness of His Son. It is not necessarily comfort or happiness but conformity to Christ in ever-increasing measure in this life and in its fullness in eternity.
The good that God works for in our lives is conformity to the likeness of His Son. It is not necessarily comfort or happiness but conformity to Christ in ever-increasing measure in this life and in its fullness in eternity.
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (p. 114). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
“As I thought best”—I As a father
“For our good”—God as father
To share in God’s holiness is an equivalent expression to being conformed to the likeness of Christ.
To share in God’s holiness is an equivalent expression to being conformed to the likeness of Christ.
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (p. 115). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
God knows exactly what He intends we become and He knows exactly what circumstances, both good and bad, are necessary to produce that result in our lives.
God knows exactly what He intends we become and He knows exactly what circumstances, both good and bad, are necessary to produce that result in our lives.
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (p. 115). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
But he also assures us it is profitable. It produces “a harvest of righteousness and peace.”
The purpose of God’s discipline is not to punish us but to transform us.
The purpose of God’s discipline is not to punish us but to transform us.
He has already meted out punishment for our sins on Jesus at Calvary: “The punishment that brought us peace was upon him” (). But we must be transformed more and more into the likeness of Christ. That is the purpose of discipline.
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (p. 115). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (p. 115). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
Understanding His purposes makes it easier to trust His wisdom.
Understanding His purposes makes it easier to trust His wisdom.
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (p. 115). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
Job 42:
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you;
Some of our struggle is the misconception that life without adversity is possible in this world.
Some of our struggle is the misconception that life without adversity is possible in this world.
To the choirmaster: according to The Doe of the Dawn. A Psalm of David.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
and by night, but I find no rest.
Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
In you our fathers trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
To you they cried and were rescued;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
All who see me mock me;
they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
“He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him;
let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”
Yet you are he who took me from the womb;
you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts.
On you was I cast from my birth,
and from my mother’s womb you have been my God.
Be not far from me,
for trouble is near,
and there is none to help.
Many bulls encompass me;
strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
they open wide their mouths at me,
like a ravening and roaring lion.
I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
it is melted within my breast;
my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
you lay me in the dust of death.
For dogs encompass me;
a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced my hands and feet—
I can count all my bones—
they stare and gloat over me;
they divide my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.
But you, O Lord, do not be far off!
O you my help, come quickly to my aid!
Deliver my soul from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dog!
Save me from the mouth of the lion!
You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!
I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
You who fear the Lord, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,
and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
For he has not despised or abhorred
the affliction of the afflicted,
and he has not hidden his face from him,
but has heard, when he cried to him.
From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
my vows I will perform before those who fear him.
The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;
those who seek him shall praise the Lord!
May your hearts live forever!
All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before you.
For kingship belongs to the Lord,
and he rules over the nations.
All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;
before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
even the one who could not keep himself alive.
Posterity shall serve him;
it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;
they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,
that he has done it.
Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor;
let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.
For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul,
and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord.
In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him;
all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
His ways prosper at all times;
your judgments are on high, out of his sight;
as for all his foes, he puffs at them.
He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved;
throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.”
His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression;
under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.
He sits in ambush in the villages;
in hiding places he murders the innocent.
His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless;
he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket;
he lurks that he may seize the poor;
he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net.
The helpless are crushed, sink down,
and fall by his might.
He says in his heart, “God has forgotten,
he has hidden his face, he will never see it.”
Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand;
forget not the afflicted.
Why does the wicked renounce God
and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”?
But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation,
that you may take it into your hands;
to you the helpless commits himself;
you have been the helper of the fatherless.
Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;
call his wickedness to account till you find none.
The Lord is king forever and ever;
the nations perish from his land.
O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted;
you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.
Stop Asking Why
Stop Asking Why
Job teaches us this if nothing else.
Job teaches us this if nothing else.
Look for the lesson not the explanation
Look for the lesson not the explanation
GOD’S WAYS ARE INCOMPREHENSIBLE
GOD’S WAYS ARE INCOMPREHENSIBLE
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (p. 120). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
Isaiah
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
The Williams translation of the New Testament brings out perhaps even more forcefully the depth of this passage. It says in verses 33 and 34,
“How fathomless the depths of God’s resources, wisdom, and knowledge! How unsearchable His decisions, and how mysterious [footnote: literally, untraceable] His methods! For who has ever understood the thoughts of the Lord, or has ever been His adviser?[9]”
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (p. 121). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
C. H. Spurgeon, again in his sermon on divine providence, said,
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (p. 122). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
“Providence is wonderfully intricate. Ah! you want always to see through Providence, do you not? You never will, I assure you. You have not eyes good enough. You want to see what good that affliction was to you; you must believe it. You want to see how it can bring good to the soul; you may be enabled in a little time; but you can not see it now; you must believe it. Honor God by trusting him.”[10]
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (pp. 121-122). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
‘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.
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
Psalms 131:11
Because God’s wisdom is infinite and His ways inscrutable to us, we should also be very careful in seeking to interpret the ways of God in His providence, especially in particular events.
Because God’s wisdom is infinite and His ways inscrutable to us, we should also be very careful in seeking to interpret the ways of God in His providence, especially in particular events.
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (p. 123). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
Do not interpret, just learn.
Do not interpret, just learn.
How Hard Is It To Trust The Wisdom Of God?
How Hard Is It To Trust The Wisdom Of God?
Are there any past or present events in your life that tempt you to doubt God’s wisdom? If so, what are they?
What does it mean to glorify God?
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (p. 288). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
In what ways do you think your present circumstances, right now, today, bring glory to God?
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (p. 288). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God (p. 288). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.