Improv in God's planning?

 

In the quilting world, improv techniques are becoming more popular. This means no plan, making it up as you go but keeping good design principles in mind. It is not only popular but also fun, even relaxing.

In the back of my mind is a chart that shows the process God might take a person through from being a sinner who is ignorant both of God and their sin to a redeemed saint who hates sin and loves God. The things God reveals and brings into a life differ as the changes happen and as the person responds, or does not respond. But the goal is the same, both for salvation and for judgment. 

I am the Lord. I have spoken; it shall come to pass; I will do it. I will not go back; I will not spare; I will not relent; according to your ways and your deeds you will be judged, declares the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 24:14)

As in yesterday’s post, I realize that God’s repenting is not like ours. This is based on the fact that He is God and sinless. “For this the earth shall mourn, and the heavens above be dark; for I have spoken; I have purposed; I have not relented, nor will I turn back.” (Jeremiah 4:28)

This is perplexing in places. In one verse He says He is not a man that He should repent, but in the same Bible book, He also says that He repented for making Saul a king. How can both be true? Piper writes that there is a sense in which God does repent, and there is a sense in which he does not. Those verses in the latter category are usually intended to show us how His regret or repentance is not like ours. 

For one thing, He is not surprised by unexpected turns of events like I am. He knows the future. Nor does He sin and need to repent and turn from sin like I do. Piper explains that the turn of events (which he himself has ordered—Ephesians 1:11) make a different attitude more fitting now than would have been the case earlier. God’s mind “changes,” not because it responds to unforeseen circumstances, but because He has ordained that His mind fits with the way He himself orders the changing events of the world.

When I was lost in sin, God’s Word says that I was headed for destruction. However, the Lord worked in my heart so that destiny changed at the moment Christ came into my heart. His plan for me then called for a different way to deal with me, not as a lost sinner, but as a redeemed member of His forever family. As He works to change me into the image of His Son, His methods change. Now I am more confident in His love and goodness and He is showing me glimpses of what He is doing, a privilege I did not have in this degree as a new Christian. God did not change, but as He changes me, He changes His methods to suit the growth He is producing. The word ‘regret’ does not fit this because God never regrets the grace He shows to sinners. He only regrets that far too many do not experience it. 

PRAY: Lord, because You never change and Your goodness is relentless, I can change. Your will is the reason, Your goodness leads me to repentance, and because of Calvary and the gift of new life, I am not what I used to be. If You had not changed me, the outcome would not have changed either. Your grace and the way You “relent” is a wonder, a surprise, and a delight for which I am so thankful.