The if-factor is tied into the sovereignty of God, His omnipotence or all-powerfulness. Whenever we come across the if-factor along Faith highway we find ourselves at a fork in the road called Choice Junction – the road to the left of the fork is called Out-of-the-way which leads to the town of Unbelief while Faith highway continues on to the right of the fork to Trustville.
We’ve all been there a countless number of times at Choice Junction because of the if-circumstances, and we will continue to do so until we get to heaven. The reality of God’s sovereignty is that absolutely nothing enters our lives without God’s approval. And that comforting truth demands an omnipotent or all powerful God to make the operation of Romans 8:28 into a reality.
Behind every circumstance in the life of a believer is a purpose, whether we make a good choice or bad choice in life. This is not to suggest that our choices doesn’t matter based upon the fact that God will work all things together for the good. God works differently when we when are obedient to His Word than when we are disobedient. The former is blessing; the other is chastening, definitely not a fun time (cf. Heb 12:11).
Whenever we arrive at Choice Junction, do we trust God in the circumstances or just take the low road to the town of Unbelief, a popular destination spot of “out-of-the-way” believers; it’s a straight shot down into a scenic valley, unlike the long upward climb on a very narrow, winding mountain road to Trustville with imposing drop-offs along the way.
Let’s list a few of the endless ifs that lead to the town of
• If I hadn’t been abused
• If I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth
• If I had the opportunity to attend college
• If I looked liked him or her
• If I hadn’t let him or her go off with his or her friends
• If I hadn’t been early or late
• If I had a better upbringing
• If I didn’t have poor health
• If I had a better job
• If I had a better boss
• If my husband
• If my wife
• If I was smart
• If I had confidence like you
• If I had the breaks
• If I had support
• If I hadn’t got pregnant
• If I lived in a better place
• If I had the opportunity like
• If I hadn’t been born this way
• If I had or hadn't
• If God had or hadn't
These and numerous other negative ifs come across as excusatory and casting blame. If we are traveling down the left road of Out-of-the-way, and we buy into the belief that God is in control, we usually wind up blaming Him for whatever if-factor that is plaguing us. In a heartbeat we find ourselves visiting the town of Unbelief.
Deep within our hearts there is a feeling of mistrust toward God, after all, He is in control, and He said He loved us and would never leave us. “But, hey, I don’t see the love of God in this situation. I can only conclude that He doesn’t care about me and has abandoned me. If God is a God of love as He claims, then why did God allow this to happen?”
We may have been guilty of this kind of thinking more often than we care to admit. God’s very Person comes under fire. Questions about His love, His care, His power, His provision, His protection, and His motives begin to surface. They surface for various reasons, but it’s that choice to take the road to the left that leads down to the valley of vexation and Unbelief.
Remember the object lesson on the tendency of human nature to focus on the negatives to the total disregard of the positives. Take a white piece of paper (8.5 x 11). The white represents the good circumstances God has allowed in our lives that we perceive as “good.” As soon as we put a tiny black spot somewhere on this piece of paper, the mind’s eye goes right to the dot. Let’s say this dot represents a bad circumstance, as we perceive it, that God has allowed to enter into our lives. The mind’s eye automatically is drawn to the black spot. We become so focused on that spot that it overshadows all the good circumstances that God has allowed to enter our lives, represented by the rest of the white on the page!
This If-factor is the negative, the wrong choice by the believer. It disregards all God has done for us and dwells only on the negative. This is why we are admonished not to forget all the good God has done in our lives. The most important thing to remember is the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. The greatest demonstration of God’s love for us was at Calvary (Rom 5:8). We must never allow any dark spot to overshadow the work of Christ on the cross. This is the negative side of the If-factor, going left when we should have gone right, blaming God rather than blessing God (cf. Psa 124:6).
At this juncture I want to introduce you to a simple acronym that might serve as a reminder every time we begin to think, speak, read, or hear of a negative if. Memorize this so when you spot it you can rehearse this in your mind: (I)magine (F)urther. And this will serve as a transition to the other dynamic of the if-factor – the positive or the right choice, the road to Trustville. The former steers us away from Christ toward flesh-likeness, and the latter draws us closer to Christ-likeness, found only in Trustville.
What is meant to (I)magine (F)urther is to look beyond the circumstances of life for a higher purpose. It demands trust, our faith to be stretched uncomfortably. We can only reach Trustville on the fuel of trust or faith.
(I)magine (F)urther takes us beyond the circumstances, beyond self-pity, beyond anger, beyond shell-shocked, beyond sinning , beyond charging God with wrong, beyond the walls, beyond the ceilings, beyond the fleshly limitations; beyond the pride and arrogance; beyond coincidence; beyond bad luck, beyond happenstance, beyond doubt to Trustville!
(I)magine (F)urther enables us to remember that God is in control, and any circumstances that have entered our lives by storm or stealth or by the wind of grace were allowed by our sovereign LORD for our benefit and His glory. This can be a very tough truth to digest, particularly what we perceive as "bad." Way too often in the daily routines of life we forget we are engaged in a great spiritual warfare. We will touch upon this later.
There are two things to consider when we (I)magine (F)urther.
1. We may not understand or see in the here and now how all things surrounding our circumstances work together for good; but if that is the case, we will see the purpose behind the circumstances in eternity and understand fully what the LORD was doing in our lives at such and such time. It is a matter of trust in the One who is in control of our destiny (cf. Heb 11:39).
2. Along with seeing or not seeing the end product of Romans 8:28, we know there are degrees of circumstances that are more intense than others. For instance, the circumstance may be something minor as a fender bender or major as a loss of fortune, a death in the family, loss of health, and so on. Paul never said all things were good. But God in His sovereign power and wisdom works all things together for good.
(I)magine (F)urther directs us on to Trustville.
We also know that God will not test us more than we are able to bear (1 Cor 10:13); He knows our frame. Along these lines think of the example of Job, his attitude (Job 13:15, Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.) and his actions (Job 1:22, In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.). Our response to the circumstances of life reflects our spiritual growth. You can see the depth of Job’s character and faith in God. There is another passage we need to include in the If-factor – taking up the cross is the footprint of suffering:
• Mat 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
• Luk 9:23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily [emphasis mine], and follow Me.
• According to the Apostle Paul, Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Tim 3:12).
• 2Co 4:8-9 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; (9) Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
We are comforted by God in our trouble in order to comfort others.
2Co 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, (4) who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
(I)magine (F)urther is nothing more than a pop up window in a computer, our mind (if we install it in our memory bank), to remind us not to make that left hand turn to the town of Unbelief when circumstances come crashing into our lives. Commit this acronym to heart so that it pops up every time the if-factor appears on radar to point us to Trustville to take the right road, take the high road, to (I)magine (F)urther. There is way more going on here than our immediate circumstances for the glory of God. Faith acknowledges the circumstances of life but never capitulates to it. In other words faith only surrenders to the will of God.
(I)magine (F)urther!
In Psalm 124 we will see(I)magine (F)urther in action and the outcome in the here and now.
Psa 124:1-2 A Song of Ascents. Of David. "If it had not been the LORD who was on our side," Let Israel now say— (2) "If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, When men rose up against us,
The If-factor for Israel spelled the difference between deliverance and disaster, existence and extermination. The difference factor today for both Israel and the Church is the LORD.
Because the LORD is on our side we are more than conquerors (Rom 8:37). This compound word (conquerors) is only found here in the GK NT. We achieve a “surpassing victory” (Robertson, Thayer) to “utterly defeat” (Zodi.) a “decisive victory” (Strong) “overwhelmingly conquer” (NASEC) through Him that loved us!
Why does God wait until the enemy is at its highest peak of strength to deliver us? The only way He receives the glory is when we realize that human effort was not in the deliverance. God delights in the impossible with man for our God is an I2P God (impossible to possible). “… we cannot ascribe our salvation to any second cause, for it would not have been equal to the emergency; nothing less than omnipotence and omniscience could have wrought our rescue” (Spurgeon on Psa. 124:2, Treasury of David).
Often there is a tendency to take credit for victory due to our own strength or cleverness, nationally or individually. The Psalmist like a choir master is getting Israel to sing the truth – "If it had not been for the LORD who was on our side," let Israel say.... Believers are engaged in a three front war: the world, the flesh, and the devil, and all kinds of If-factors are aimed our way. Without God there is only defeat. Victory is only achieved through the LORD. Paul stated,
… If God is for us, who can be against us? (Rom 8:31)
Psalm 124:2 When men [adam, same Heb word Gen 2:20] rose up against [emphasis mine] us
There are men who are fanatically opposed to the people of God (Israel, v1 and the Church). These men are brazen enemies of God and anyone related to Him; they are part of a world-system that stands in total opposition to God and His people, energized by the forces of darkness under Satan’s dominion for one purpose and one purpose only – total annihilation. Our warfare is not against flesh and blood but spiritual in nature.
Eph 6:10-12 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.(11) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.(12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Compare 2 Cor 10:3-4.
We do well to remember that the devil gives no quarter when given permission to attack. If he is given permission to go half way, he will go all the way to the half. There is no mercy or tiring of this enemy. He vents his anger out on the body of Christ and the Jewish people. We see this Satanic intensity in the book of Job (Job 1:12; 2:6; cf. Psa 142:6). Let’s learn something of our shared enemy with Israel.
1. They are against God and His people (Psa 124:2, 3)
2. Their hatred is bent on our destruction
3. They desire to eat us alive – swallowed us alive (Psa 124:3) Swallowed is same verb used in Jonah 1:17.
4. They are arrogant, disrespectful, and an insolent enemy (Psa124:4-5). Swollen waters is literally proud waters (KJV, cf. raging, NASB). The enemy desires to rip us to shreds – prey to their teeth (Psa124:6). Teeth to tear, bloodthirsty, rapacious (cf. devil as a roaring lion, 1 Pet 5:8), his prey – the godly.
5. They set snares to capture us (Psa 124:7) Listen to David, Those also who seek my life lay snares for me; Those who seek my hurt speak of destruction, and plan deception all the day long (Psa 38:12).
• Snares: false doctrine, pride, lust, riches, things, prestige, power…
• Our soul ...as a bird, v7). Satan has many methods of entrapping souls. Decoys, enticement (bird food), hunger, fear can cause us to fly into the net.
• The snare is broken, and we have escaped (v7). Escaped - Nick of time deliverances. Were it not for the LORD on our side we would have been overtaken by the world, the flesh, and the devil. God waits to the last minute to exact faith from us. He stretches the band of our faith but never snaps it. My flesh doesn’t like this last minute deliverance training method, but I’ll take deliverance anytime over defeat.
Let me give a summation on this whole deal with our enemy – If it had not been the LORD who was on our side we would be dead meat in a heartbeat.
Beyond the enemy let’s (I)magine (F)urther --
Pro 25:21-22 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; (22) For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the LORD will reward you. Cf. Mt 5:43-44; Rom 12:21-22; Jas 4:4.
Let this simmer; it’s a very tough truth to ingest. By default our flesh wants revenge, to kick butt and take names. But from these verses we are told to respond differently - (I)magine (F)urther. We are never promised a primrose path on our journey to Trustville.
In Psa 124:3-5 (cf. Psa 124:6-7) the Psalmist explains what would have happened if the LORD had not been on their side. To (I)magine (F)urther is to Imagine what would have happened if the LORD not had been on our side. When we look at the circumstances we focus only on what has happened. (I)magine (F)urther considers not only what has happened but also what has not happened! If it had not been the LORD who was on our side…. Reflecting on what could have happened but didn't leads us to praise!
Look at the response of (I)magine (F)urther in Psa 124:6 – praise, thankfulness!
Blessed (bāraḵ): a verb meaning to bless, kneel, salute, or greet. The verb derives from the noun knee and perhaps suggests the bending of the knee in blessing (Zodi) See 2 Chron 6:13, knelt). The psalmist blessed the LORD that Israel escaped the teeth and the snare (Psa 124:7). Dropping the knee in recognition of God’s authority in the circumstances is not the body posture of an angered person, a bitter and resentful person, a proud person, a self-sufficient person, or an all-together person.
Why do we have to be in desperate straits before we realize our dependency on the Lord? We can never be victorious in our Christian walk without Christ – without Me you can do nothing (Jn 15:5). This is not a crutch, an excuse, or a cop out as the world mocks that it is; it’s a spiritual reality. The world of lost men and women are bereft of any spiritual ability to render an opinion in spiritual matters (2 Cor 4:4). The world’s opinion on spiritual matters is about as ludicrous as a blind art critic.
(I)magine (F)urther avoids self-sufficiency. (I)magine (F)urther recognizes our weaknesses. (I)magine (F)urther reminds us of bending the knee in praise and thankfulness to God. (I)magine (F)urther helps us to put a spiritual perspective in situations and our need for God. (I)magine (F)urther than you ever have before beyond the circumstances to the living Christ. (I)magine (F)urther points to the only Source of help – Our help is in the name of the LORD (Psa 124:8).
(I)magine (F)urther. Gets us beyond the circumstances; beyond the walls; beyond the ceilings; beyond the flesh; beyond the pride; beyond coincidence; beyond bad luck! beyond happenstance! God is our Deliverer! Nothing enters our lives that God Himself does not allow! He is LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psa 124:8).
(I)magine (F)urther helps us not to forget to praise and thank the LORD for His deliverance. One more note on Psa 124:6. Did you notice the phrase, Who has not given us as prey? This suggests what I have been contending that nothing enters our lives without God’s approval.
Psa 124:8
Help (same word used of Eve in Gen 2:18, 20)
• Heb 13:5-6 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU." (6) So we may boldly say: "THE LORD IS MY HELPER [emphasis mine]; I WILL NOT FEAR. WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME?"
• Psa 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
In the name
• Act 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
• Php 2:9-11 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, (10) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, (11) and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
LORD
LORD in all upper case letters indicates the personal name of God, Yahweh. The name of God revealed to Moses (Ex 6:2-3). The precise meaning of Yahweh is debated. Most scholars agree that the meaning of Yahweh is probably best understood in the context of God’s existence, I AM WHO I AM (Ex 3:14, Zodi; cf. Jn 8:58). Self Existent or eternal (Strong). The active, self-existent One (Ryrie, Basic Theology).
The significance of the name of the LORD (YHWH) as suggested by Ryrie (Ibid):
• His name emphasizes His person – changeless, absolute eternal existence (Ex 3:14; Jn 8:58).
• His name emphasizes His presence (Ex 3:12; cf. Heb 13:5-6).
• His name emphasizes His power (Ex 6:6).
Who made heaven and earth
The creation of the Universe (Gen 1:1) displays God’s omnipotence and omniscience. With such a wise and powerful God nothing enters our lives unless it is allowed by Him. Such an undertaking demands an omnipotent God to carry out Romans 8:28. We may not like some of the outcomes, but all things happen for a reason because God is in control.
Post Script
(I)magine (F)urther when the circumstances come by stealth or storm or by the wind of Divine favor because of the omniscience of God, He knows everything that is going on with the circumstances that He allowed to enter our lives. It is impossible for any errors, miscalculations, accidents, or oversights to take place. God is in full control of every detail.
1. God is with us and for us (Presence)
2. Imagine the consequences without God (Protection)
3. Nothing enters our lives without God’s approval (Power)
4. God is worthy of our praise
(I)magine (F)urther that there is a purpose behind every circumstance that enters our lives as believers in Christ. The situation may be chaotic or calm, major or minor, perilous or peaceful, brought on by us or others. No matter the circumstances, no matter the cause, nothing can thwart the purpose of God Almighty. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (Rom 8:28, ESV). Whenever you are at Choice Junction, (I)magine (F)urther to Trustville.
Oh, by the way, if you flubbed up and took the road to the left. You know the one that is called Out-of-the-way that heads down into a valley to a town called Unbelief? All you have to do to get out of there is do what John said in 1 Jn 1:9,
If we confess [agree with God about our bad choice] our sin [call it what it is], He [Jesus Christ who is the I AM] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Jesus will put us back on Faith highway heading to Trustville just that quick and fellowship (not salvation) with God is restored. Bear in mind as you travel up the road, there will be another If-factor waiting for you at Choice Junction. You can make that right turn if you
(I)magine (F)urther because He that is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 Jn 4:4).
(I)magine (F)urther, beloved.
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