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There is no such thing as "chance," "luck," or "accident"
(Don Fortner)
"But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered! Fear not
therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows." Luke 12:7
With these words, our Lord Jesus Christ assures us that none of God's
elect shall ever be in any real danger or suffer any real harm, for we
are under the special care and protection of God Himself. I see six
things in this sentence, which are a constant source of peace and
encouragement to my soul.
1. The Blessed Fact of Divine Predestination
The text might be better translated "the very hairs of your head have
all been numbered." Before the world began, our heavenly Father
counted up and ordained the number of hairs that were to be upon your
head at this very moment! This is meticulous predestination. What does
it tell us? God's sovereign purpose of grace in predestination,
includes all that we do and all that we experience.
2. A Comforting Assurance of Divine Providence
The primary intent of the text is to show us our Father's constant
rule of all things. The sparrow cannot fall to the ground, and a hair
cannot fall from your head without your Father's eternal decree in
predestination, and His direction in providence.
3. Our Heavenly Father's Perfect Knowledge of All Things Concerning Us
Our God, who predestined all things and rules all things--knows all
things! We are so well known by God, that He has even numbered the
hairs of our heads. "Your Father knows." We need no other comfort. The
Lord's knowledge of us is constant and entire. His knowledge of us is
the knowledge of a tender, sympathetic Father.
4. Our Father's Constant Care
He who takes the trouble to number the hairs of our heads, must surely
care for us. We are the apple of His eye. Cast all your care upon Him.
"He cares for you!"
5. The Honor and High Esteem our God has for His Elect
God has numbered our hairs because He values them. He holds us in
honor and high esteem above all the people of the world, because of
His gracious purpose toward us in Christ, because He has made us one
with His darling Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (Isaiah 43:3-5; 1 John
4:9-11).
6. The Promise of Divine Protection
The hairs of our head are all numbered, because our God intends that
"Not a hair of your head shall perish!" Trials are certain.
Temptations are sure. Tribulations are constant in this world. But
there is no cause for fear. "The very hairs of your head are all
numbered!"
Nothing whatever, whether great or small, can happen to one of God's
elect--without God's decree and direction. The providential government
of our great God over everything in this world, is a truth which is
clearly revealed and constantly taught in the Word of God. Just as the
telescope and microscope show us that there is order and design in all
the works of God's hand, from the greatest planet down to the least
insect--so the Book of God teaches us that there is an infinite
wisdom, Divine order, and gracious design in all the events of our
daily lives. There is no such thing as "chance," "luck," or "accident"
in God's creation, or in our journey through this world. All is
arranged and appointed by God, our heavenly Father. "And we know that
God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God,
to those who are called according to His purpose!" Romans 8:28
Let us seek to have an abiding sense of God's hand in all our affairs.
Our Father's hand measures out our daily portion. All our steps are
ordered by Him who loves us with an everlasting love. Confidence in
God's wise and good providence, is a mighty antidote against murmuring
and discontent. In the day of trial and disappointment, as in the day
of joy and happiness--all is right and all is well done. When we are
laid on the bed of sickness, there is a "needs be" for it. Else, it
would not come to pass. Because it comes to pass, the very fact that
it comes to pass should assure us that it is for our souls' advantage.
Let us bow and be still, and bear all things patiently. Ours is "an
everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure" (2 Samuel 23:5).
That which pleases our God, ought to please us. Truly, "He has done
all things well!" And He will yet do all things well.
(Don Fortner)
"But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered! Fear not
therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows." Luke 12:7
With these words, our Lord Jesus Christ assures us that none of God's
elect shall ever be in any real danger or suffer any real harm, for we
are under the special care and protection of God Himself. I see six
things in this sentence, which are a constant source of peace and
encouragement to my soul.
1. The Blessed Fact of Divine Predestination
The text might be better translated "the very hairs of your head have
all been numbered." Before the world began, our heavenly Father
counted up and ordained the number of hairs that were to be upon your
head at this very moment! This is meticulous predestination. What does
it tell us? God's sovereign purpose of grace in predestination,
includes all that we do and all that we experience.
2. A Comforting Assurance of Divine Providence
The primary intent of the text is to show us our Father's constant
rule of all things. The sparrow cannot fall to the ground, and a hair
cannot fall from your head without your Father's eternal decree in
predestination, and His direction in providence.
3. Our Heavenly Father's Perfect Knowledge of All Things Concerning Us
Our God, who predestined all things and rules all things--knows all
things! We are so well known by God, that He has even numbered the
hairs of our heads. "Your Father knows." We need no other comfort. The
Lord's knowledge of us is constant and entire. His knowledge of us is
the knowledge of a tender, sympathetic Father.
4. Our Father's Constant Care
He who takes the trouble to number the hairs of our heads, must surely
care for us. We are the apple of His eye. Cast all your care upon Him.
"He cares for you!"
5. The Honor and High Esteem our God has for His Elect
God has numbered our hairs because He values them. He holds us in
honor and high esteem above all the people of the world, because of
His gracious purpose toward us in Christ, because He has made us one
with His darling Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (Isaiah 43:3-5; 1 John
4:9-11).
6. The Promise of Divine Protection
The hairs of our head are all numbered, because our God intends that
"Not a hair of your head shall perish!" Trials are certain.
Temptations are sure. Tribulations are constant in this world. But
there is no cause for fear. "The very hairs of your head are all
numbered!"
Nothing whatever, whether great or small, can happen to one of God's
elect--without God's decree and direction. The providential government
of our great God over everything in this world, is a truth which is
clearly revealed and constantly taught in the Word of God. Just as the
telescope and microscope show us that there is order and design in all
the works of God's hand, from the greatest planet down to the least
insect--so the Book of God teaches us that there is an infinite
wisdom, Divine order, and gracious design in all the events of our
daily lives. There is no such thing as "chance," "luck," or "accident"
in God's creation, or in our journey through this world. All is
arranged and appointed by God, our heavenly Father. "And we know that
God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God,
to those who are called according to His purpose!" Romans 8:28
Let us seek to have an abiding sense of God's hand in all our affairs.
Our Father's hand measures out our daily portion. All our steps are
ordered by Him who loves us with an everlasting love. Confidence in
God's wise and good providence, is a mighty antidote against murmuring
and discontent. In the day of trial and disappointment, as in the day
of joy and happiness--all is right and all is well done. When we are
laid on the bed of sickness, there is a "needs be" for it. Else, it
would not come to pass. Because it comes to pass, the very fact that
it comes to pass should assure us that it is for our souls' advantage.
Let us bow and be still, and bear all things patiently. Ours is "an
everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure" (2 Samuel 23:5).
That which pleases our God, ought to please us. Truly, "He has done
all things well!" And He will yet do all things well.