Resignation: Motives to God's Greatness
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Resignation, in the context of Christian theology, refers to the act of surrendering one's own will and desires to the will of God, trusting in His divine wisdom and sovereignty. This concept is deeply rooted in the understanding of God's greatness, which serves as a powerful motive for believers to practice resignation.

God's Sovereignty and Wisdom

The Bible consistently affirms the sovereignty and wisdom of God, which are foundational to the believer's trust and resignation. In Isaiah 55:8-9 , the Lord declares, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways... As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." This passage highlights the vastness of God's understanding compared to human comprehension, encouraging believers to trust in His superior wisdom.

God's Omnipotence

The omnipotence of God is another compelling reason for resignation. In Jeremiah 32:17 , the prophet exclaims, "Ah, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!" Recognizing God's unlimited power reassures believers that He is capable of orchestrating all things for good, even when circumstances seem insurmountable.

God's Faithfulness and Goodness

The faithfulness and goodness of God provide further motivation for resignation. Lamentations 3:22-23 states, "Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!" This assurance of God's unwavering commitment to His people encourages believers to relinquish control and trust in His benevolent plans.

Christ's Example of Resignation

Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of resignation to God's will. In the Garden of Gethsemane, facing imminent suffering, Jesus prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39). Christ's submission to the Father's will, even unto death, exemplifies perfect resignation and inspires believers to follow His lead.

The Peace of Resignation

Resignation to God's greatness brings peace that surpasses understanding. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages believers, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This peace is a divine gift that accompanies the surrender of one's own will to God's perfect plan.

Trust in God's Providential Care

Finally, trust in God's providential care motivates resignation. Romans 8:28 assures believers, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." This promise of divine orchestration of events for the believer's ultimate good encourages a posture of trust and surrender to God's overarching plan.

In summary, the greatness of God—manifested in His sovereignty, omnipotence, faithfulness, and goodness—provides compelling motives for believers to practice resignation. Through the example of Christ and the assurance of divine peace and providence, Christians are called to trust in God's perfect will, relinquishing their own desires in favor of His greater purpose.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Sermon for Christmas Day
... is right, or to probe their own motives;"these are ... never complain of his distresses
but to God alone with entire and humble resignation, praying that he ...
/.../iv sermon for christmas day.htm

David's Weakness
... My motives for choosing this subject I will explain in a ... in long years of self-devotion
and resignation, and in a ... human a personage is he, that God speaks of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon i davids weakness.htm

Translator's Introduction.
... all its parts, but also faith, hope and fear, zeal, obedience, resignation. ... the Treatise
contains a full exposition of the motives for serving God, the why ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/translators introduction.htm

Scenes in the Lives of the Patriarchs.
... The devil charged Job with selfish motives in serving ... attack upon the unsuspecting
friend of God, over whom ... But how sublime the resignation of the loyal heart ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/scenes in the lives of.htm

Satan's Devices
... envy, and revenge: For what other motives could induce ... you to believe, you do not
please God, for no ... when these temptations have wrought that resignation in you ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/satans devices.htm

More and More
... to despair." Dear brother, may God give you full resignation to his ... holy men, if
they do them with holy motives, lifting up their hearts to God; and whether ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/more and more.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... Son slain, still sends messengers, [745]333; greatness of his ... "I think I have the
spirit of God," an express ... by the devil, [947]284; his resignation showed a ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

The New-Birth
... itself, by its departing from due resignation, and obedience ... denial, and also all
the motives and incitements ... most hearty, sincere, and total conversion to God. ...
/.../law/the grounds and reasons of christian regeneration/the new-birth.htm

The Christian's Peace and the Christian's Consistency
... Not merely with resignation, nor even with resolution, but with ... He appeals to them
by many motives; by their ... of the Christian's connexion with his God, and of ...
/.../moule/philippian studies/chapter iv the christians peace.htm

Church Abuses.
... Mercenary motives were too predominant everywhere, in the Church ... with a beautiful
expression of resignation to the ... and by the good blessing of God was enabled ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter viii church abuses.htm

Resources
What is the prophecy of St. Malachy? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about acceptance? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about fate / destiny? | GotQuestions.org

Resignation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Resignation: Motives to God's Faithfulness
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