Question: Usually I find the “Quotable” spot excellent, but sadly this month’s [March 1995] ...

Question: Usually I find the “Quotable” spot excellent, but sadly this month’s [March 1995] extract from F. B. Meyer did not reach the usual standard, particularly the part where God himself supposedly speaking says, “Till now thy might has hindered me...room for my omnipotence to work...etc.” I do not find such teaching in the Bible.

Answer: In fact, the Bible teaches (contrary to five-point Calvinism) that we do have the power of choice either to obey or to resist God’s will. Jesus wept over Jerusalem: “[H]ow often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!” (Lk 13:34). “I would...ye would not” surely indicates the exercise of a choice contrary to Christ’s desire, an act of human will which then prevented Him from bestowing upon Israel the blessing He desired. This and numerous other passages, (Ps 81, Is 1, Rom:10:21But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
See All..., etc.) tell of God wanting to bless His people but unable to do so because they refused to yield to Him. If words mean anything, the Bible teaches that God’s purpose for our lives can be frustrated by our rebellion. Surely Adam and Eve made a genuine choice that cost them the blessing God would have given them and caused them to be expelled from His presence. Apropos of the citation you give, Christ told Paul, “[M]y strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor:12:9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
See All...). Clearly, then, to rely upon our own strength hinders God from being our strength and giving us the blessings He desires.