God's Prerogative 2

Isaiah 54:16-17 GNB

“I create the blacksmith, who builds a fire and forges weapons. I also create the soldier, who uses the weapons to kill.  But no weapon will be able to hurt you; you will have an answer for all who accuse you. I will defend my servants and give them victory.” The Lord has spoken.

It is difficult, atimes, to understand what God means with words like these in the passage before us today. It appears as if God is the source of evil or the creator of war and bringer of evil and death. God claims responsibility for the wisdom and ability to forge weapons given to the makers of these weapons and the creator of the soldier who also uses these same weapons to kill. But, really, does it just end there? Are we to fold our arms and be simple enough to admit whatever comes our way without finding out what is God's will, purpose and direction in all these?
In the same passage, we see the mighty hand of God pulling the strings of life and giving us a choice. God had an ultimate plan that man cooperated with the devil to scuttle, but because God's plans cannot be thwarted, God had already made plans for man's restoration.
There's a choice to be made however. Before us lies blessings and curses, war and peace, good and evil. Both situations surround us; both scenarios are possible because of man's choices in the garden of Eden. God allows both situations so we can fully comprehend the importance of our choices and fully appreciate his wisdom, power and patience.
The same God who gives wisdom to forgers of weapons of war also says to those who have made a choice to follow him: NO weapon formed against us shall prosper. I have come to understand that anything that has been created is under the total and complete control of the One who created and formed it, so if God is the wisdom behind the creation, he is also the wisdom behind its efficacy or otherwise. If he says that nothing can hurt me if I am his servant, then a choice must quickly be made: safety is sure only in God. Our heritage is in Christ, not in degrees, achievements, high fences, secure perimeters and hi-tech gadgets. They will fail someday, as some powerful countries and citizens have found out recently. Only in God are we truly safe, and only in Him are we truly vindicated against all accusations of the enemy. Rejoice, for his time of favour is here.