“God, Where Are You?” (or, A Theodicy Odyssey) Part X
INTRODUCTION – We continue on our odyssey of theodicy, a theodicy being a defense of the ways of God in the face of the existence of evil. The foundational truth underlying this series of sermons is that God is always good: Joel 1:15-20 speaks of “the day of the Lord,” an expression which denotes an unusual intervention of God in human history. This intervention is not only unusual but also catastrophic. The question raised is not so much “God, where are You?” as “God, why?” Is God good in His interventions, especially in the final fulfillment of “the day of the Lord”?
- GOD IS GOOD BECAUSE HE WARNS US
The imagery of Joel 2:1-2 is of loud, definitive warning, which provides the opportunity for preparation. Because God is always good, He is always warning us. An older generation (much older even than mine) spoke and wrote of God’s prevenient grace, which includes the negative things that God prevents in our lives. This grace is so comprehensive that it necessarily precedes our salvation. Theologians generally discuss three types of sanctification: positional (salvation), progressive or experiential (spiritual growth – see II Peter 3:18), and future or ultimate (residence in heaven minus our sin nature). To these three, I add preparatory sanctification, the work of grace that God does to draw us to Himself (see John 6:44); this good work must come before the other three and must include warnings. God is working actively now to warn and to draw people to a saving knowledge of God the Son, Jesus Christ (see John 12:32-33).
- GOD IS GOOD BECAUSE HE REVEALS HIS CHARACTER
Joel 2:11 tells us that God is “strong.” God must then be strong in everything He does. We study individual attributes of God because our minds are limited and we learn point by point. However, we must avoid the temptation to compartmentalize the characteristics of God. Since God is almighty, He is omnipotent in His omnipresence, omniscience, mercy, grace, love, holiness, eternality, and all other attributes. For example, Isaiah 63:1 reminds us that God is “mighty to save.” This verse provides a fine transition to the next point.
- GOD IS GOOD BECAUSE HE SAVES
Joel 2:31-32 provides unexpected good news; in the midst of great darkness, there is greater light. Evil is overcome by good, by the saving goodness of God. The complete darkness of the Crucifixion bursts into the brilliance of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Who saves “to the uttermost” (Hebrews 7:25) and secures all believers for all eternity (Jude 24-25).
CONCLUSION – Joel 3:14 is not about people deciding about God; rather, God is ratifying the decisions people have made about Him. The New Testament equivalent is Matthew 25:31-46, where God separates the sheep from the goats. God is good because He warns all of us, reveals Himself to everyone, and saves anyone who will trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ. May each one of us be certain of this saving faith, and may we think back to the little and large ways that God drew us to Him, for He is good.