Conversational American English has in recent years popularized “whatever” as a trendy catch-all phrase implying “anything”, “doesn’t really matter”. It works. Whatever.
Notably, the word of God utilizes the same word to present to the people of God an invitation and an assurance that God:
A. Is always there;
B. Wants to be involved in virtually every aspect of our lives; and
C. Presents the opportunity for us to respond to that divine offer.
Couched within a context of obedience (always critical to positive relationship with holy-God) is the following:
Deuteronomy 4:6-9
(the “them” in verse 6 are the statutes and judgments of God)
6 Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’
7 “For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him?
8 And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day?
9 Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren,
These verses reveal our perfectly well-balanced God, telling it like it is. The environment around us is fallen and broken. The desperate eyes of the world (“in the sight of the peoples”) are on the people of God. Our obedience and compliance to the statutes of God position us into a place of intimate, even conversational relationship with God, and His response to our prayers and aligned-lifestyles will demonstrate to the world that there is indeed a great God, concerned for, and proactive in, the lives of those who are truly His.
Sadly, Israel’s testimony (in the sight of the peoples) was typically representative of the woodshed-anointing. Their correction (often by the rod of man) was misconstrued by the enemy nations as a confirmation that their false gods were more powerful than Israel’s God. That will all get straightened out, eventually, when the Lord appears on behalf of His people, at the end of the age. At that time:
1. THE NATIONS WILL UNDERSTAND
Ezekiel 39:23
23 The Gentiles shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity; because they were unfaithful to Me, therefore I hid My face from them. I gave them into the hand of their enemies, and they all fell by the sword.
2. ISRAEL WILL UNDERSTAND
Ezekiel 39:27-28
27 When I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and I am hallowed in them in the sight of many nations,
28 then they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who sent them into captivity among the nations, but also brought them back to their land, and left none of them captive any longer.
Sadly not doing a whole lot better, for the past 2,000 years much of the “Christian church adventure” has also been a poor testimony of the love, greatness and holiness of God. It has never been God’s fault.
Meanwhile the redeemed, praying saints of God, thanks to the work of the cross, can and should clearly embrace their adopted position into the family of heaven. Believers in Messiah, under His blood, are part of the verse 7 “great nation”.
Deut 6:7, one more time:
7 “For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him?
Our calling upon the Lord in WHATEVER situation, our intentional and proactive purposing to maintain the constant dialogue with the living, and willing, God of all creation, will bring heaven to earth.
It’s therefore no wonder our enemy, the deceiver and the distractor, would go to such great efforts to have us NOT call upon God, for multiple reasons, all of which are invalid.
In faith, with understanding, our heads lifted up, knowing we are the gates, understanding our redemption, accessing our Counselor and Friend in all situations, all the time, for the all-inclusive WHATEVER issues and matters of life, is part of the plan for evangelizing the world, as well as for our successful spirit-led living testimony.
Psalms 24:7-10
7 Lift up your heads, O you gates!
And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Lift up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory.
Selah
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
17 pray without ceasing,
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
All scripture NKJV
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