Key scripture- “God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us” (Hebrews 6:17-18).

Have you ever doubted God’s purpose and promises?

I have to say to my own embarrassment, I have. When things hadn’t worked as I thought they would, when I received a no instead of a yes or a yes instead of a no as an answer to prayer, when I couldn’t unravel a situation and fit it with the character of God . . . those have been times when I’ve said, “what is going on? This isn’t right.”

When the bottom drops out of our lives, when hope starts to wear thin, when human logic fails to make sense, then we need to think theologically not logically! In the Key scripture today, the theological facts that we need to focus on and keep before us are: (1) there is an unchangeable purpose with God; and (2) that purpose is guaranteed with an oath.

It’s at this juncture I should add: Don’t try to explain it all to someone else. You can’t. If you could, you would be God. The only thing you can explain theologically is that the issue you struggle with is part of His unchangeable purpose, guaranteed with an oath, neither of which is a lie. That’s theological thinking. As Solomon states so well: “[God] has made everything appropriate in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11a).

Let me give you a theological syllogism from Pastor, Charles Swindol:

God is in control of the times and seasons.
Some times are hard, and some seasons are dry.

So the conclusion is:

God is in control of hard times and dry seasons.

We are quick to give God praise when the blessings flow: when the checking account is full and running over; when the job is secure, and a promotion is on the horizon; when the salary is good; when our health is fine. But we have a tough time believing when those things aren’t true. That is why we need to think theologically not logically.

There are benefits that come from thinking theologically, as found in Hebrews 6:18:

So that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.

One benefit to thinking theologically is you will have “strong encouragement.” Logical thinking will discourage you, but theological thinking will encourage you. And you will also have a refuge of hope. Encouragement is the opposite of discouragement. Hope is the opposite of despair. When you accept the fact that sometimes seasons are dry and times are hard and that God is in control of both, you will discover a sense of divine refuge, because the hope then is in God and not in yourself.

In those seasons when it’s difficult to see God’s purpose and promise, remember where your hope and encouragement are found—in the person and purposes of the Lord, Jesus Christ, and keep clinging to Him and His promises.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, when up seems like it is down and down seems like it is up, I will hold on tight to You and Your promises, because I know that this dry hard season that I am in will pass. Anything that I am going through, like Paul said, is a momentary and light affliction. It will not destroy me, but it will make me more like Jesus. I will follow Your command to be strong and courageous, I will not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord, my God, is with me. (Joshua 1:9). My hope and trust is in You, my refuge and my strength. Give me the wisdom to look at my problems theologically not logically. I know that I am more than a conqueror through Christ who strengthens me, therefore, every time I feel weak and doubts try to creep in, I will keep reminding myself that I am strong and I am courageous. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.

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