What is Paul saying here? Simple. When we as finite fallible humans put God to the test or question Him, He will pass the test. God is immutable therefore always faithful. When we see hardship in this life and attribute it to God not being faithful to us…we are dead wrong. Just the opposite is true. The truth is God never condones evil, BUT His punishment of sin is part of and a sign of His faithfulness…not a negation of it. The problem is that, from our messed up human perspective it looks as if God has abandon us when in reality He is literally right on top of us. In Psalm 51 it is clear God did not condone David’s unfaithfulness and sin as he was most certainly punished as was Bathsheba. What is also certain is that God did not withdraw His faithfulness from David. David hit rocky roads, yes, but on the long-term big picture David was treated rather well in his life and was rewarded in eternity. Just as we will be if we remain faithful to God as He remains faithful to us.
In the holistic picture of humanity we see that history itself is a trial by God to sharpen and shape the holiness of His entire Church. Which in the end will see faithfulness and final judgment and this will result in victory or defeat for every single individual that has ever lived. This means that God had to have had a plan laid-out ahead of time. If He had a plan it stands to reason that He chose people to certain things such as our salvation…
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” ~Romans 8:28-30
This is a reassuring thought for me considering how wretched I now realize that I am.
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