Thoughts On God's Sovereignty

Dear Friends,

It was, to say the least, a difficult weekend for many. My prayers go out for all, and for our nation, as we work through the events that took place, and dig out from the storm (literal and figurative). It's been one of those weeks where I felt we all needed a little upward gaze.

I know that in difficult times it is hard to speak of God’s sovereignty. We ask: “How could God________.” Yet, whether we realize it or not, that question alone suggests we already believe he is sovereign. We ask because we believe God could have intervened and prevented something from happening but did not. The question would not even come to mind if we did not believe he could have made it turn out different.

Of course, I will not even attempt to address all the ins and outs of God’s sovereignty. Not in one little thought, since this one subject involves so much it would take a lengthy book or series of books! Therefore, I simply offer a couple of short “thoughts” to get you started. "A Sovereign God" is by Lana Bateman, and "By Faith, in Faith, and Through Faith" is by Joni Eareckson Tada, both taken from the book, “Daily Gifts of Grace.”

A Sovereign God

“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.” Psalm 138:8

Psalm 138:8 gives us a powerful word from God, one that David understood quite well. But do we? This expression of the sovereignty of God should give us great peace. Notice that it does not say, "If I don't fail God or disappoint him, he will accomplish what concerns me." It doesn't say, "If I don't ever sin again, he will accomplish what concerns me." Nor does it say, he might accomplish... or he could accomplish..." David's words simply say, "He will accomplish what concerns me."

What are you concerned about today? Is it your children, the salvation of those you love, your job, your friendships, your home, or your church? Whatever your concerns might be, God is addressing them. Some of us feel this can't be true, because we have prayed so long for something that is very important. However, we don't have a timeline along with David's words, do we? He simply tells us it will be done. Can we trust, as David did, in what we cannot yet see?

 

 

Can we trust that God is addressing what concerns us in exactly the way we would like, or as quickly as we would like? Not always. Sometimes he is about to place his hand on our lives in ways we could never have dreamed or imagined, but we can trust that our God is fully alive in all that is happening—even the delays.

We have a God who is after our highest good. His great love could do no less. He knows our hearts, our longings, and our needs. His love will not allow anything to touch our lives that will bring more pain or struggle than it takes to make us all we have prayed to be and all he desires for us to be.”

Lana Bateman


By Faith, in Faith, and Through Faith

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” II Corinthians 12:9

When you receive that bad medical report or you are the object of others' abuse or scorn, when your reputation is unfairly slandered or you are confronted with a life-altering disability, you are driven to your knees in weakness and frailty. You are driven there not only by faith, but in and through faith.

By faith, because you have nowhere else to turn. In faith because you must trust the One who holds your hardships in his hands. And through faith because you are able to rise from your knees and go forth in hope and confidence.

Even though the Lord does not spread before you the blueprint of your life, explaining his plans and purposes, you can still come to him by faith. Begin by dropping to your knees before the cross of Christ and laying all your questions at Jesus' feet. Yield any stiff-necked or stubborn rebellion – call it sin, if you will – that you might have toward him. It only takes faith the size of a mustard seed to do this. But give God an inch and he'll take a mile, encouraging and strengthening you each step of the way.

Joni Eareckson Tada

Sometimes God’s sovereignty makes us feel ‘out of control.’ It should, because He is in control and we’re not, thank God. Other times the only thing that gives us any comfort at all is knowing he’s on the throne. Only then can we rest. For as I've found, it's hard not to try and control people and things if we think God is not in control. If he's not, we have to try and be - which doesn't usually lead to good things.

I happen to be one who gains great comfort from simply knowing God is in control (and not just in charge). Especially when it seems like there’s a house burning down all around me! At those times God tends to let me struggle for a while before he whispers, “I’ve got this, just trust me.” After all, he cannot "work all things together for the good of those who love Him" if he is not able to control the outcome of all things. The promises of a God who was not sovereign would simply be empty wishes.  

As a person who reads much history, I have struggled deeply with many events. Yet, I choose, by faith in the Lord and his Word, to believe He is and ever will be the God who says, “I am God and there is no other; I am God and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” (Isaiah 46:9-10).

God Alone is our Rock and our Salvation, Pastor Jeff