Quotes from Jerry Bridges

The primary purpose is for us to become so convinced of these truths that we appropriate them in our daily circumstances, that we learn to trust God in the midst of our pain, whatever form it may take.

In terms of our trusting God, the sovereignty of God over the nations can at first glance seem theoretical and remote from our daily lives.

In the West, especially, we don't often consciously feel the actions of government impacting our lives from day to day.

God owes me no explanation. He has the right to do what He wants, when He wants, and how He wants. Why? Because He's God. . .

But the reverent reader of Scripture cannot fail to see the sovereign hand of God arranging those ordinary circumstances to accomplish His purpose.

Christians are viewed unfavorably in much of the world today and in many countries face outright persecution from hostile governments.

Regardless of the nature of the circumstances, we must learn to trust God if we would glorify God in them.

As God's rule is invincible, so it is incomprehensible. His ways are higher than our ways (see Isaiah 55:9). His judgments are unsearchable, and His paths are beyond tracing out (see Romans 11:33). The sovereignty of God is often questioned because man does not understand what God is doing. Because He does not act as we think He should, we conclude He cannot act as we think He would.

So we should never ask why in the sense of demanding that God explain or justify His actions or what He permits in our lives.

Those of us living in countries where religious freedom is allowed should regularly give thanks to God for that freedom.

But what about when the story does not have a happy ending? Is God sovereign then also? This is the crucial question. It's easy to trust God when a process of events turns out as we would desire, though even here our faith often falters during the process until we know the outcome.

In order to trust God we must know Him in an intimate, personal way.