Lesson 28 - Accepting the Unacceptable

Lesson 28 – Accepting the Unacceptable

What meant the most to you from this chapter or helped you think more accurately about God’s character and the truth of His Word?  What offered you the greatest challenge or blessing, and why?

A Problem

How do you generally handle shocking news or an unfair situation?

Do you react in anger, shock, despair, hopelessness?

What would those closest to you say about your ability to face your problems or accept change?

Would they say she faces problems or change with finesse?  You never seem to see her break a sweat.  She is the type of person who looks a challenge in the face and says “bring it on, I can do this” or do they say that any little trial or road block sends you into a tailspin leaving you with a hopeless outlook?

A Scripture

Write out Romans 11:33.

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

Next write out any problems or issues you are dealing with, either present or past.

*  health issue

*  a financial decision

*  whether to take on a Sunday school teacher position

*  a volunteer opportunity

*  life changing decisions like starting a family or adopting a child

*  Educational decisions such as which degree to pursue, which school to attend, etc.

*  selling your house

*  buying a new car/ getting repair work done on a car

*  Going for a promotion at work/ changing employers

* Motivational issues such as devoting more time to reading the Bible or becoming more regular in church attendance.

Lay your problems next to the forever-truths of Romans 11:33.

There is an abundance of wisdom and knowledge; it does not end. The knowledge and wisdom of God are wonderfully displayed. 

In the doctrine of redemption and salvation by Christ, He has had the far reaching sight in all wisdom and forethought to implement the matter of salvation.  It is done in a way that glorifies all the divine perfections.

The rights of God's justice and the honor of His holiness are secured.  His love, grace, and mercy are displayed. 

The wisdom of God distinctly appears, in the doctrine of a sinner's justification.  And while it comes from grace, on the foot of redemption and satisfaction, in a way of strict justice; God is just.  The doctrine of predestination is full of the wisdom and knowledge of God. 

How unsearchable are his judgments!
They are not to be understood of his awful judgments on wicked men in particular, which are the deep things of God, and are only searched out by the Spirit of God, who reveals them to us:

And his ways past finding out!
not the methods and course of his wisdom, his footsteps are not to be known, discerned, and traced, by predictable creatures; but rather the goings forth and steps of his wisdom from everlasting, which are higher than the ways of men, even as the heavens are higher than the earth; and which are all mercy and truth to his chosen people, and strict justice to others, and not to be found out by any; particularly his ways and methods, and dealings, with both Jews and Gentiles these are things out of our reach and comprehension.

            What do you learn about your problems?

            What do you learn about God?

An Instrument

Have you memorized Romans 11:33?  Why not do it now?

Look at Psalm 119:9 and 11.  What are the benefits of memorizing Scripture?

9. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

10. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart
Not only heard and read it, but received it into your regards; mixed it with faith, laid it up in your mind and memory for future use; preserved it in your heart as a choice treasure, where it might dwell richly, and be of service to you on many occasions; and particularly be of the following use:

that I might not sin against thee;
the word of God is a most powerful medicine against sin, when it has a place in the heart; not only the teachings of it forbid sin, but the promises of it influence and engage to purity of heart and life, and to the perfecting of holiness in the fear of the Lord; and all the doctrines of grace in it successfully teach the saints to deny all sin and worldly lusts, and to live a holy life and conversation

What reigning position should God’s Word have in your life, according to Colossians 3:16?

16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

How did Jesus handle temptation in Matthew 4:4, 7, and 10?

4. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

7. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

10. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

How could having Romans 11:33 hidden in your heart become a mighty instrument in God’s hands to help you with all your problems?

An Acceptance

Think again of your most pressing problem or the most unexplainable event in your life.  Then pray through Romans 11:33, and check each of the attitudes below that indicate your “acceptance of the unacceptable” – your acceptance of God’s will and way for your life.

__ I don’t have to understand everything.

__ I don’t need to understand everything.

__ I can’t understand everything.

__ Why ask “Why”?

__ It’s O.K.

__ Let it go.

__ Let God be God.

__ Let go of your right to know.

__ These are God’s judgments.

__ These are God’s ways.

__ No vengeance!

__ It’s not them, it’s Him!

Spend some added time in prayer about the attitudes you are unable to check.  Ask God to continue to teach you to love Him with all your mind.  Also ask Him to help you let go of those things about your life that you don’t understand.  And thank Him for all He has taught you in this study of six powerful passages from His Word!