Why would God design a baby to live for two minutes? And the answer he gave was he didn't.

He designed him to live forever.

And two minutes is not that much different from 70 years when you consider forever. They'll think on that. Just think

on that. We don't believe in eternity most of the time when we're murmuring about why we lose

this or that. How does God's absolute sovereignty over all things help us in

times of suffering and what consequences do we face when the

doctrine of Providence is neglected in this episode of light and truth

John Piper opens the scriptures to explore God's profound engagement

with his world for our encouragement. This seminar was originally given at

Bethlehem Baptist Church on October 11th 1995.

Two things are on my mind by way of introduction before I pray and get into the meat of the matter. One is to read a

text from Jeremiah which I'm reading from my devotions right now and the others to tell you

a story from lunch today with some pastors that I had. The text is the last verse of

Jeremiah 14 which says, are there any among the false gods of the nations that can bring rain? Or can the heavens give showers?

Art thou not he, O Lord, our God?

We set our hope on thee, for thou doest all these things. A couple of things.

Even when he poses the question, first he posed the question,

are there any gods who can bring rain?

And his answer is no.

Second questions he asks is, can the heavens give showers?

Well, scientifically, surely everyone would say, sure, where else does rain come from, but the

clouds, the heavens, the sky, that's what it means.

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