"God often so counterworks the evil designs of men against His cause and followers, that it turns out to their advantage and His glory; nor does He permit them to go to the extent of what they have purposed, and of what they are able to perform. He suffers them to do some mischief, but not all they would or can do." - Adam Clarke
What would you say is "the deepest mystery" found in the Bible and in human life?
In Psalm 76, Asaph alluded to it when he said in verse 10 - "Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain."
What he was implying here was that God can and does take man's rebellion, disobedience, angry and violent resistance to His will and cause it to bring Him praise.
It is easy and natural to understand how the obedience, love, and piety of men will bring praise to God. However, that human pride, enmity, ambition, revenge, and lawless violence ends in bringing praise to Him - now, that is "the deepest mystery."
Yet, as Asaph alluded here in Psalm 76, God brings "good out of evil." Whether they do it willingly or unwillingly, He causes men's lives to weave the web of His providence - to work the pattern of His purpose.
It is important that you - as a Christian - understand this!
It is important that you understand "history" - how God down through the ages has always caused "His glory to arise from the display of His power in contest with human iniquity." With His "overruling wisdom and power," He "constrains the mighty evil" that is in the world - causing it to "render Him honor against its will."
He "counterworks the evil designs of men" that are directed against His cause and His Church. He makes them to turn out for His glory and for their advantage.
And even though the wicked boast of all that they plan to do against Christ and His Church, He does not "permit them to go to the extent of what they have purposed or of what they are able to perform."
In Psalm 76, Asaph recorded how he saw - in his day and time - the "wrath of man" working havoc in human affairs. But, as he watched closely, he saw God also at work - surrounding all their activity with His presence... holding it within His grasp... and so compelling it at last to work out His own purpose and bring forth His praise. He also saw God - when its limit was reached - "restrain wrath" - prevent its further action - girding it upon Himself as a weapon against the evildoers.
Oh, indeed, this has to be "the deepest mystery" - when "man's wrath" only adds to God's glory...when He causes "all the raging of men to appear so pathetically futile" (Jerusalem Bible) and He "in the face of feebleness" is magnified.
Oh, wouldn't you agree that this is indeed "the deepest mystery" in the Bible and in human life - when God - as the absolute master - makes even malign passions to fulfill His great purposes? He allows them to go on no further than He chooses. As He set a boundary to the ocean, so has He set a boundary to these evil human passions.
"Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain."
"the wrath of man" - how would you describe it?
In this verse of Scripture, it simply stands for all that is evil. Very generally, it involves a corrupt principle: pride, arrogance, resentment, or revenge. It refers to man's fierce passions of revolt - expressing themselves in definite rebellion toward God and His Word. It is man's rage, wicked fury, and hostility against God and His people. It is seen in all dire conflicts and is inspired by evil desire and unrighteous lust.
The "wrath of man" can also be described as the wonderful revelation of God's overruling of evil - for when such evil is rampant, it gives occasion for great deeds on God's part - deeds which give Him praise and honor. It furnishes an occasion for the display of His divine character and attributes in delivering His people and punishing sin.
Read how the Pulpit Commentary explained it - "The Bible is full of illustrations of this. It is part of God's universal purpose of overruling all evil for good. See this in the history of the Fall - it became the occasion of redemption. The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ - it draws all men unto Him. Persecution of the Church caused its world wide extension. The corruption of the Church led to the Reformation. See the hand of God in history continually compelling what is 'meant in malice to be changed to blessing.'"
"Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee..."
This is clearly seen when God brings to nought human pride and power and delivers His people. It is seen when the violence and wickedness of men - in the most unbridled excesses - produces the very reverse of what they intended - working out the purposes of God and fulfilling His promises.
The Pulpit Commentary added this statement - "God is able to overrule the rebellion of men so that in the end it shall illustrate His praise."
"Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain."
"...the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain" - what does this mean?
Asaph was saying that the unexpected fury which God's enemies had not yet vented will be held in check. However, it is interesting to note that it will not be "wasted." God takes the "remainder of wrath" and uses it as the cause of excitement of His justice to destroy these persecutors of His people. In other words, He takes their "wrath" - girds Himself with it - that He may destroy them.
This poem - by an Unknown Author - sums it all up -
"The wrath of men shall praise Thee
The rest shalt Thou restrain
And out of earth's disasters
Will bring eternal gain.
The purpose of man's evil heart
Works out Thy sovereign will
Our God is still upon the throne,
Therefore, believe, be still.
Be still and know that I am God;
This banishes our fears,
While passing thru this scene of strife,
Of sorrow and of tears.
The One Who rules the heavenly hosts
Holds all within His hand,
And none can say, 'What doest Thou?'
Or can His arm withstand."
In closing, it is important to glean from Asaph's words the "understanding" that the "end" will show the enemy was able to bring "nothing" to pass!
Psalm 76:12 says of our Great God - "He shall cut off the spirit of princes: He is terrible to the kings of the earth."
Never forget that He is "terrible (fearsome, awesome) to the kings of the earth." They are wholly under His control. He can defeat their plans...check them when He pleases...cut down their pride and self-confidence...break them down...bring them low at His feet...dispirit those who are most daring...and make them heartless. If they continue to fight Him, He will cut them off in their prime - as a gardener cuts off bunches of grapes - and destroy them forever.
God can and will cut off the breath of the highest of these leaders. You can be assured of that!
Right now, He is overruling all evil for His glory and for your good!
Indeed, that is "the deepest mystery!"
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
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