We have regrets and decisions that the enemy reminds us of. For example, an ex-police officer regrets not getting to the scene of the crime faster. I saw her tell her story on a TV show. She said it was the end of her shift and technically she was supposed to go home. She hesitated, deciding whether to respond to the call on her radio or let someone else take it since her shift was over. She decided to respond to the call but by the time she got to the scene the person was dead. She thinks that if she had responded faster she could have saved someone’s life.
The ex-officer on television was overcome with regret and set out on a wilderness expedition alone to try to find a solution to her problem. I wanted to reach through the TV and comfort her. I would have told her that it’s okay. That it wasn’t her fault. That God allowed the situation to happen for some reason that we may not know on this side of heaven. That He’s waiting to comfort her.
How can we know that God is omniscient (knows everything) and knows what will happen. Are we right when we say that God allowed the situation to happen and there’s nothing anyone could have done? I’ve been taught that He allows evil to happen if it accomplishes what He loves. God is not the creator of evil, but he allows things to happen to accomplish what He loves. Let’s look at scripture that explains this. Let’s also look at scripture that explains God’s omniscience (He knows everything) and sovereignty (which means that He’s in control of all things from the beginning to the end of time.)
All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”
Daniel 4:35
In Daniel 4:35, the Bible says that God does according to his will…and none can stay his hand. This means that God is going to do what He wants, and no one can stop Him.
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
Ephesians 1:11
In Ephesians 1:11, we see the word predestined. That means that God knows what is going to happen before it happens. God exists outside of time. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
2 Peter 3:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 1:8
for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.
1 John 3:20
Here we see in 1 John that God knows everything. Remember that all scripture is God breathed (2 Tim 3:16).
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
Hebrews 4:12-13
In Hebrews 4:12-13 we see that no creature is hidden from God and all things are open and laid bare to His eyes.
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Genesis 50:20
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
If you are going through something difficult, I hope you will remember that Jesus loves you. He is faithful to work all things for the good of those who love God.
He is also faithful to forgive us for our sins.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
My prayer for you is that you can give your difficult situation over to God in prayer. Lay your burden at His feet.
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22
Thank God that you can come to Him in prayer.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
He is faithful to work all things for your good if you have accepted Jesus as your savior. If you have not, I pray that you will do so now. God’s promises are true and I pray that you will accept Jesus as your savior and allow God to transform your life. He created you, loves you, and is waiting for you to repent of your sins (we are all sinners) and confess your need for your savior.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16