Many years ago Sir Isaac Newton had an exact replica of our solar system made in miniature. At its center was a large golden ball representing the sun, and revolving around it were small spheres attached at the ends of rods of varying lengths. They represented Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and the other planets. These were all geared together by cogs and belts to make them move around the “sun” in perfect harmony.

One day as Newton was studying the model, a friend who did not believe in the biblical account of creation stopped by for a visit. Marveling at the device and watching as the scientist made the heavenly bodies move on their orbits, the man exclaimed, “My, Newton, what an exquisite thing! Who made it for you?” Without looking up, Sir Isaac replied, “Nobody.” “Nobody?” his friend asked. “That’s right! I said nobody! All of these balls and cogs and belts and gears just happened to come together, and wonder of wonders, by chance they began revolving in their set orbits and with perfect timing.”

The unbeliever got the message! It was foolish to suppose that the model merely happened. But it was even more senseless to accept the theory that the earth and the vast universe came into being by chance. How much more logical to believe what the Bible says, “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” The Word also declares, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God”

The power of God is that ability and strength whereby
He can bring to pass whatever He pleases, whatever His
infinite wisdom may direct, and whatever the infinite purity
of His will may resolve. As holiness is the beauty of all God’s
attributes; so power is that which gives life and action to all
the perfections of the divine nature. How vain would be the
eternal decrees, if power did not step in to execute them.
Without power–
His mercy would be but feeble pity,
His promises an empty sound,
His threatenings a mere scarecrow.
God’s power is like Himself–infinite, eternal,
incomprehensible; it can neither be checked,
restrained, nor frustrated by the creature.

As His essence . . .
is immense–not to be confined in place;
as it is eternal–not to be measured in time;
so it is almighty–not to be limited in regard of action. (Stephen Charnock, 1628-1680) Think about that dear friend! What ever problem you are facing today, God is more than able to help you. As Paul said, He “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think–“(Eph. 3:20). Rest your weary soul upon that great truth! (HDS)

“He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver” (Mal. 3:3).

A.T. Pierson wrote:

Our Father, who seeks to perfect His saints in holiness, knows the value of the refiner’s fire. It is with the most precious metals that the assayer takes the most pains, and subjects them to the hot fire, because such fires melt the metal, and only the molten mass releases its alloy or takes perfectly its new form in the mould. The old refiner never leaves his crucible, but sits down by it, lest there should be one excessive degree of heat to mar the metal. But as soon as he skims from the surface the last of the dross, and sees his own face reflected, he puts out the fire.   You need to think about that! God isn’t trying to destroy you, but to develop you–transforming you into the image of His dear Son (Romans 8:29). Let us then embrace our trials, rather than seek to escape from them. When we learn to accept what God allows we don’t waste our experiences. If we maintain the right attitude, we have the assurance that our trials will produce some good that God intended. If you are “in the fire” today just remember that God has His eye on you and has hand on the thermostat. Regardless of how you feel, things are not out of control!

Hebrews 11:8-16
——— one of the reasons why we find it so difficult to cope with ambiguity and uncertainty is because we have never really died to self-interest. We are more concerned about our own purposes than we are about His – hence we are uncertain and insecure. —– look at Abraham and the way he handled his situation of ambiguity and uncertainty. He was almost seventy-five years old when God called him to step out on the pathway of uncertainty. There he was, loading up his camel caravan with his wife and nephew, bound for ‘somewhere’.——” Charles Swindoll humorously pictures a conversation between Abraham and his neighbours going something like this: “Abraham, where are you going?” “I’m moving.” “Why? Why ever would you want to leave Ur?” “God has made it clear that I should go.” “God? You’ve been talking to Him again?” “Right. He told me to leave. I must go.” “Well, where are you going?” “I don’t know; He didn’t tell me that.” “Wait a minute, you know you ought to go, but you don’t know where you ought to go?” “Yes.” “Abraham, you really have gone off the deep end.” And so it continues. It isn’t easy to obey without understanding. —— going – without knowing. It might help to remind ourselves of the term God sometimes uses to describe us – strangers and pilgrims. People on the move, free to follow Him wherever He leads – regardless.(By Selwyn Hughes)   It is not our business to figure everything out. It is our duty to obey. We are to walk by faith, not by sight!

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16   (Also read Luke 18:9-14)   When I was a boy it was common to hear someone say, “The door’s open. Come on in.” I bet I’ve heard that a thousand times. In those days we were very informal about greeting company. I thought about that when I read the following article from Turning Point:

The second president of the United States, John Adams (and his wife, Abigail), was the first president to occupy the White House. In his day, and for many years afterward, it was possible for average citizens to walk into the White House unannounced to attempt to see the president. Try that today! Multiple levels of security shield the president from the average citizen seeking an audience.

If it’s difficult to see the president of the United States, or the leader of any modern country, think how much more difficult it ought to be to have an audience with God. But it’s not difficult at all! Scripture tells us that all who have been made pure by the blood of Christ can come “boldly to the throne of grace” to “obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” But how many take advantage of that free access? If we don’t, it’s not because we don’t need mercy or grace; it’s not that we don’t have times of need. It’s more that we just can’t comprehend what it means to have unfettered access to the God of the universe.

Have you entered into God’s presence today? The door is open, waiting for you to walk through, if only you will.