OMNIPOTENCE HINDERED

Is it possible to hinder Omnipotence; to impede the hand of the Almighty? In the ultimate sense, it is not! As it is written, "For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and His hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?" (Isa 14:27). In the strictest sense of the word, God "doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?" (Dan 4:35). God overturns the counsel of the ungodly, frustrating their intentions (Isa 44:24-26). That is the ultimate view. It is intended to teach us that God cannot and will not be frustrated in His determined objective, purposed before the foundation of the world (Eph 3:10-11). However, there is another side to this matter.

The mighty hand of God can be hindered for the individual. While Divine objectives cannot be negated by human opposition, Divine benefits ARE withheld when unbelief dominates. From this perspective, there is a remarkable statement made about Israel. Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel" (Psa 78:41). The Holy Spirit, as you must know, states matters precisely and without any deviation from the truth. If, therefore, His words conflict with our theology, it is our theology that is wrong. If such is the case, that theology is to be abandoned immediately and with resolution.

How forcibly this same truth is seen in these words: And He could there do no mighty work, save that He laid His hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. And He went round about the villages, teaching" (Mark 6:5-6). Unbelief prevailed in those environs to such an extent it not only caused Jesus to "marvel," but withheld Divine benefits from them. I am persuaded this was not the last occurrence of this type.

There is no need to argue over whether the Lord was or was not able to NO mighty works in His home town. The Holy Spirit said He could not. Too, one might have a heartless view of the Lord that sees Him as knowing all things, but unaffected by what He beholds. Again, the Spirit says Jesus "marveled because of their unbelief." If one's view of the Lord has no place for such perceptions, then that view is actually worthless--even harmful to the one possessing it.

The Lord Jesus wept over Jerusalem, confessing He had often desired to gather them together, but was restrained by their obstinacy (Matt 23:37; Luke 13:34). They "would not" be gathered, and so He did not gather them together--even though He wanted to! Again, the failure of that to fit into a theological pattern of thought only confirms the flaw and unacceptability of that persuasion.

The spiritual sterility around us is evidence of hard hearts and obstinate wills. Many a professed church exists in our communities that has actually hindered Christ, being an obstacle, beyond which men cannot pass (Lk 11:56). Perhaps this accounts for many of the situations that so grieve those who live by faith! Many faithful servants of God has grieved over their inability to change the environment in which they labored. Perhaps what we have discussed explains their real situation.

It IS possible to restrain the hand of Omnipotence -- to "limit the Holy One of Israel." It IS possible to have a religious environment in which the Lord Jesus Himself "can do no mighty work"--but woe to the person, or group of persons, that does so. Like Jerusalem of old, their house will be left desolate, abandoned by the Almighty! Every person IS accountable for being responsive to Divine overtures.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, grant me grace to live and think so as to encourage Your working within. Help me NOT to be the reason why You do not work!

-- Monday: FELLOWSHIP AND CONFORMITY --