Now we come to the attribute that completes the foundation for trusting God with singleness (and in any other trial we might face). (see previous posts on God's sovereignty and goodness).
God
is Wise
As theologian Wayne Grudem puts it, “God’s wisdom means that God always chooses the best goals and the best means to those goals.”[1] This is the consistent testimony of the Bible (see Rom. 16:27, Job 9:4, Ps. 104:24).
As theologian Wayne Grudem puts it, “God’s wisdom means that God always chooses the best goals and the best means to those goals.”[1] This is the consistent testimony of the Bible (see Rom. 16:27, Job 9:4, Ps. 104:24).
This, too, is an area where our functional theology
may differ from our stated theology. In a long season of singleness, we are
often tempted to think our plans are wiser than God’s. We might not say that,
but we reveal it as we complain and grumble when His wisdom doesn’t match ours.
In God’s wisdom, all things work together for the good of those who love Him (Rom. 8:28). Everything! Even an undesired season of singleness or the loss of a spouse through death or an unwanted divorce works for the good of those who love God. Those things may not all be good in and of themselves, but in God’s wisdom they are the best means to accomplish the best ends. The “good” ends are defined as God conforming us to the image of Jesus (Rom. 8:29). So, even our trials, because they serve to make us more like Christ, are wisely ordained by our Father.
This doesn’t mean we can never cry out to God in a trial with the words of the Psalmist, “How long, O Lord?” (Ps. 13:1). But it does mean we must not question His wisdom as if we know better. The Psalmist had honest questions that caused him to run to God. However, we, at times, hide behind questions which simply veil our bitterness and distrust of God. So, while we must run to God with questions, we must not turn those questions into accusations that we know how to run God’s world, and our own lives, better than He does.
When we really believe God is wise, we will find great encouragement. To quote Grudem again,
Every day of our lives, we may quiet our discouragement with the comfort that comes from the knowledge of God’s infinite wisdom: if we are his children, we can know that he is working wisely in our lives, even today, to bring us into greater conformity into the image of Christ.[2]
You might be thinking, “Yes, I want to be conformed
to the image of Christ, but marriage would provide even more opportunities for
that. Living with a fellow sinner would challenge my selfishness more.” It is
true that living with a fellow sinner helps us see more of our selfishness. But
the point is that God has not lost sight of the best means by which He will
conform you to the image of Christ. For now, that is in a season of singleness.
Besides, if you are living in true, biblical community, you will have plenty of
opportunities to see your selfishness challenged by your brothers and sisters
in Christ.
We must not question God’s wisdom as if we know what is best for ourselves. After all, do we see the beginning from the end? Do we know all things? Are we really in a position to know what is best? Only God is in such a position (Job 38-39).
This is part of the series God, Singleness, and Marriage: How the Bible Gives Purpose and Direction to Singles.
Copyright Ben Khazraee. You may share this article with others, but please direct them to this blog rather than posting the text to your own website, blog, etc. You may share printed copies with friends as long as you do not charge more than the cost of producing the copies.
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