15. Ordering Occasions and Circumstances

.... In addition to generally teaching all men, as described in Section 14, God is willing to work in more specific ways in the life of each person. As Predestination Phase 1 continues, He ordains certain circumstances and occasions in the life of each one of us to bring us to the place of seeking Him:

.... "He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has destined their pre-appointed occasions, and the limits of their conditions, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us . . ."

(Acts 17:26-27)

.... Perhaps we will have a narrow escape from death, or some other form of rescue beyond hope, or something else that would stir our thoughts towards pondering God in a personal way -- perhaps for the first time. Apparently the event itself can take place on an individual or a national scale, or at any level in between. (Wider events with personal implications, such as wars or natural disasters, are probably prime candidates for these purposes. But positive applications such as unique opportunities may also be possible).

.... Regardless of what form this working takes, remember that only the outward circumstances are being predestined, and the people themselves are not predestined. No results are guaranteed. One person may respond to God, and another not; they are only being stirred towards seeking Him as a hope, that perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him as a result of pondering these circumstances.

.... We will discuss the element of God’s personal care in the following section.