Dear Friends,

The tenants of God’s goodness and God’s sovereignty and God’s holiness as they relate to God’s people are magnificent to consider. 

If you have never read through the Old Testament, I would encourage you to do so! Seeing the cord of His goodness, holiness, and sovereignty evidenced in the story of the nation of Israel will likely cause your heart to bow in new ways before Him.

I love the first question of the Westminster Catechism. It says, “What is the chief end of man?” and the answer, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” I love this question because it reminds me that God’s glory and my joy are permanently bound together. As Israel submitted to God’s goodness, holiness, and sovereignty, they found joy in their journey out of bondage and into the Promised Land. However, as they rebelled against His goodness, holiness, and sovereignty, they found pain in their journey out of bondage and into the Promised Land. 

God’s purposes are always for His ultimate glory; His purposes are always for our ultimate good. I once heard a pastor remark that we will find out what we really believe about God when we encounter personal suffering. Do we believe that all of life’s circumstances reflect the heart and the will of a good, holy, and sovereign God? (And, therefore, suffering is one more place of redemption and beauty in our walk with the Lord?) Or, conversely, do we believe that temporal suffering in life reveal a less than good, holy, or sovereign God? (And, therefore, that our circumstances are the best judge of God’s character?)

These are deep questions, but they are rich and worth it, indeed. I hope that you find time in the coming weeks and months to read through the story of Israel in the Old Testament and consider His glory as the chief end of man.

Blessings,

Ron