This week, Michael writes that "Supernatural" is an order of existence beyond the visible universe. It is that which transcends the natural world ... especially that which relates to God Almighty, creator of the natural realm. In order to understand the supernatural, we must start by reading the scripture in Isaiah 55:6-9, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake His way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; And to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
God is rich in mercy and compassion. He is loving and gracious despite our fallen nature. Israel’s King David said, "be merciful unto me according to your loving kindness." Remember Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” God did not design us with the ability to contend with our own natural fallen nature. Nor did He design us to contend with the fallen nature of the natural realm. Without God, the devil will have his way with us. Our natural tendency is not to exercise compassion to those who have wronged us. This offends our sense of "fairness." However in the Lord’s super-natural power we can "turn the other cheek." We can understand God's loving kindness and tender mercy.
Matthew 5:38-42 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
Super-natural life does not seek "just retribution." We're all sinners. The parable of the laborers reminds us of God's grace. A master hired laborers in the eleventh hour at the same daily wage as those who had already toiled for ten hours. It was the Master's prerogative to be gracious. When Jesus asked His Apostle Peter, "do you love me?" Peter's response was, "what about John?" Jesus said, "Don't worry about anyone else." We must come individually to the Throne of Grace with a broken and a contrite heart. Oswald Chambers said, "the kingdom of self is heavily defended territory." Pray that God will break down the resistance of our hardened hearts."
Romans 12:19-21 “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Worldly men and women will ask God, "What have you done for me lately? Why haven't you answered my prayers in the way I wanted?" When we come to realize that prayer is aligning our hearts with God's heart, then we can pray as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Not my will but thine be done." We're reminded that God's ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts.
Let's continue Michael's message on supernatural God in the next post.
In Christ, Brain
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