11A Worship - A New Heart

Last Sunday we celebrated Easter. Easter morning did not happen accidently. Hints and foretelling were scattered across the prophets and psalms of the Old Testament (see Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53). From the earliest days of His public ministry Jesus, and others, regularly spoke about His death and resurrection (two examples: John 1:29, Luke 9:22).  God’s costly plan to save us was in place long before it happened (see Acts 2:23). 

What is clear throughout the Bible is that God is not surprised by choices we make, or circumstances we face. He knows in advance. He is sovereign and in control. God did not, and does not, cause evil. His power, plan, and knowledge takes all things, even the darkest and worst, and uses them to accomplish His ultimate good purposes. If He loves us this is a great source of comfort … thankfully, He does.

In the passage this morning the prophet Samuel meets a young man named Saul and provides exacting details of what will happen to him. Every detail confirms for Saul the presence of God. Saul will need that. And so do we. This morning we hear again from our dear friend Bladimir as he helps us grow in our confidence in the presence and work of God in all of the details of our life.  This is true even when we cannot, and we do not, understand how God is present and working in the trouble and pain we are in.