Intentional God

In Jeremiah chapter 23 verses 23 to 24, We see God mention His omnipresence and omniscience while forewarning the detriments of false prophets. Using prophet Jeremiah, he states, “Am I a God who is at hand, and not a God far away. Can anyone hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? Do I not fill heaven and earth?” (NIV). These statements and rhetorical questions provoke the heart of man to reflect on God’s overall encompassing totality. His immense greatness never has to atone for the misgivings of life, yet God’s greatness exists as our forever unmatched portion. On further inspection verses, 23 and 24 highlight an overarching embedded theme of intentionality. God intentionally prevails to be a near God, who deliberately sees all and permeates everywhere. God is intentional; Everything done in reason to advance or complete His will. Our Lord God values when, where, and how His will is brought to pass. In considering God’s intentionality one can begin to understand the importance God places on order. Also considering God’s intentionality reinforces our faith.

Intentionality implies the presence of order. God prioritizes order to solidify His will. The chance of failure increases when things are not done in order. As sugar must be placed before the cake is baked, God requires all things to take their appropriate place. We see this vividly in Genesis as God exhibits His preference of having foundations completed before adding adornments. As the stars adorned the heavens after it was made (Genesis 1:14), Eve was brought to Adam once his development was complete (Genesis 2:21-25). Likewise, Grass and herbs yielding seed were not brought forth before light and dry land (Genesis 1: 9-12). These instances show God does nothing by chance.

The first part of Psalm 31 verse 15 says, “My times are in your hands”. This verse builds off verse 14 which proclaims God worthy of our trust no matter the evil that may pester us. Our times are in the Lord God’s hands. He intentionally manages everything concerning us; He arranges everything in our lives. Again, nothing is left to chance. The intentionality of God should reinforce our faith by canceling doubt as we remember God being forever sovereign and faithful. God turning Abram into Abraham, Sarai into Sarah, and Jacob into Israel proves that God prioritizes every detail. Nothing goes unnoticed in God’s eyes. Let this truth dispel any doubt and confusion that threaten the stability of our faith in our everlasting Lord God.