The days I cannot see...

Welcome to the great Thompson Family Debate 06.

I should explain the subject matter is the song 'I'm in his hands,' a real salvation army golden oldie. The debate is over the line 'The days I cannot see have all been planned for me.' Don't get me wrong here, I'm not out to become a heretic but this is the thing...

This is Dads viewpoint: We always talk about Gods masterplan etc and so on, but what about peoples situations where apsolutely no good can come from it. Children who are beaten by their parents, women who are raped etc. Can we really sing the days I cannot see have all been planned for me? Wouldn't we be better singing 'the days I cannot see I know he'll walk with me.'

Now just to balance it up: We sing 'are planned.' We dont sing 'are determined.' We musn't forget there is an enemy against God, and he is out to cause evil in this world. But then how can God, the creator protector and preserver of all things allow this to happen. If he is so good how can he allow an enemy to exist.

I suppose it does go back to the fact that mankind did lose that perfect relationship. I suppose although this relationship has been mended through calvary In order for mankind to be reconciled to God mankind needs to be shown by christian men and women alike that it is in a state, and desperately needs God.

Actually, mum was preaching about this subject in this mornings meeting. She was talking about regeneration (linked to the theme of staple hills (an area in Bristol) regeneration.) She was saying for there to be complete regeneration there needs to be reconciliation with God and regeneration by the Holy Spirit. In fact this is in the docterines of the salvation army:

We believe that repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; and regeneration by the holy spirit are necessary to salvation.

So what that says is in order to be saved the world has to become christian basically, but I mean the real thing. Also, it's is not a majority thing, it is a everyone thing. I suppose what I am trying to say is that all these problems in the world which we could easily blame God for will only be resolved when the world looks to God and bows down. And yet again people the subject of evangelism comes back to haunt us, because the world isn't going to hear the gospel on its own accord.

Just one or two thoughts from the Thompson household, also helping me clear my head, as doing this often does :)