"The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,
And His kingdom rules over all."
(Psalm 103:19)
This is a verse we need to review before listening to the news. It's so easy to be distracted by the gloom and doom of the nightly news.
Wars around the world. Riots in our own country. Supreme Court decisions. Child abuse cases. Presidential elections. Business scams.
We can easily get discouraged about the mess that this world is in.
And we can become guilty of wishing for the past, "If we'd only get back to our Christian roots..." "If parents would raise their kids like I was raised..." "If we had a president like..."
Essentially, we think that if we were in control, life would be smoother.
Really? Look at the mess that your life is! You really think that you could do any better?
Rather than thinking and acting on those idolatrous thoughts, we need to remember that God is in control. He is ruling over all. All the politicians. All the lawyers. All the criminals. All the natural disasters. All the broken families. All the businessmen. All the diseases.
If God is in charge, then why doesn't He fix things? i.e. Why doesn't He do what I want Him to do?
Well, isn't that a selfish, comical response? If I could tell God what to do, then He wouldn't be in charge, would He?
But we can take confidence in knowing that God is in control, all the time over everything.
He is working all of history and nature toward the grand revelation of Himself. His glory will be revealed. His power and majesty will be clear.
We don't have to understand the details, but grasping the big picture will help us get through the details.
God has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.
Showing posts with label sovereignty of God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sovereignty of God. Show all posts
Monday, August 17, 2015
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Bad Things Done by Bad People
When bad things happen to us, some people will remind us that God is in control.
God is sovereign, so we can trust Him.
That is a biblical truth, but often in the depth of the crisis, it's hard to see how God is in control. When it's hard to see, we don't want to hear it either.
This week I was thinking of the evil things that women in the Bible had done.
The first one that came to mind was Queen Athaliah. When she realized that her son, Ahaziah, was dead, Athaliah killed the rest of the royal family, so that she could be queen of Judah (2 Kings 11:1-3).
Then Delilah, a prostitute in the land of the Philistines, who whined to Samson until he revealed the secret of his strength. Delilah was paid handsomely and Samson was captured and had his eyes gouged out (Judges 16).
But as I thought through the next chapters of the events, it became clear that God was in control of these evil women and their evil actions.
A nurse had hidden one of the royal sons, who was presented as king seven years later. Athaliah was executed and revival came about under the leadership of Joash. The temple was repaired and the Word of God was honored (2 Kings 11:4-12:21).
Samson was left in prison, but his hair began to grow out. As the lords of the Philistines mocked this once mighty warrior of Israel, the blind Samson knocked down the pillars of the building, killing more of God's enemies at that time, than he had in any other battle (Judges 16:23-31).
And the longer I thought about it, it wasn't just evil women with evil plans. Evil men with evil plans remained under God's control, bringing about major events displaying God's glory.
So when evil men or women do evil things against us, rather than looking at them and their evil, we can look to God. We can ask ourselves, "What good will God bring out of this?"
God is sovereign, so we can trust Him.
That is a biblical truth, but often in the depth of the crisis, it's hard to see how God is in control. When it's hard to see, we don't want to hear it either.
This week I was thinking of the evil things that women in the Bible had done.
The first one that came to mind was Queen Athaliah. When she realized that her son, Ahaziah, was dead, Athaliah killed the rest of the royal family, so that she could be queen of Judah (2 Kings 11:1-3).
Then Delilah, a prostitute in the land of the Philistines, who whined to Samson until he revealed the secret of his strength. Delilah was paid handsomely and Samson was captured and had his eyes gouged out (Judges 16).
But as I thought through the next chapters of the events, it became clear that God was in control of these evil women and their evil actions.
A nurse had hidden one of the royal sons, who was presented as king seven years later. Athaliah was executed and revival came about under the leadership of Joash. The temple was repaired and the Word of God was honored (2 Kings 11:4-12:21).
Samson was left in prison, but his hair began to grow out. As the lords of the Philistines mocked this once mighty warrior of Israel, the blind Samson knocked down the pillars of the building, killing more of God's enemies at that time, than he had in any other battle (Judges 16:23-31).
And the longer I thought about it, it wasn't just evil women with evil plans. Evil men with evil plans remained under God's control, bringing about major events displaying God's glory.
So when evil men or women do evil things against us, rather than looking at them and their evil, we can look to God. We can ask ourselves, "What good will God bring out of this?"
Sunday, September 22, 2013
"I am the LORD and there is no other."
This phrase is repeated several times in Isaiah 45, "For I am the LORD and there is no other."
How does God reveal His supremacy?
He is sovereign over the nations. He will use Cyrus to accomplish His will (v 5-6). He will cause Egypt and other nations to submit to His plan. He is in control. He will fulfill His promises to Israel. BTW: Isaiah is writing while the Babylonians are the world power. Cyrus isn't even known at this time, yet God calls him by name, having chosen him to do His will.
He is supreme over creation. He is the creator and sustainer of the universe (v 18). He controls light and darkness. He controls the weather. He controls the animal kingdom.
He is superior over the gods of the nations (v 21). They have to be carried; He is in control. they can't speak; He declares His plans for the future. They can do nothing; He can do as He pleases.
The conclusion of the matter: God alone is worthy to be trusted. He has more power than anything or anyone else we might choose to trust.
To put our trust in a government or a political power is foolish.
To put our trust in the power of nature is foolish.
To put our trust in any other gods is foolish.
Trust the God for He is the LORD and there is no other.
How does God reveal His supremacy?
He is sovereign over the nations. He will use Cyrus to accomplish His will (v 5-6). He will cause Egypt and other nations to submit to His plan. He is in control. He will fulfill His promises to Israel. BTW: Isaiah is writing while the Babylonians are the world power. Cyrus isn't even known at this time, yet God calls him by name, having chosen him to do His will.
He is supreme over creation. He is the creator and sustainer of the universe (v 18). He controls light and darkness. He controls the weather. He controls the animal kingdom.
He is superior over the gods of the nations (v 21). They have to be carried; He is in control. they can't speak; He declares His plans for the future. They can do nothing; He can do as He pleases.
The conclusion of the matter: God alone is worthy to be trusted. He has more power than anything or anyone else we might choose to trust.
To put our trust in a government or a political power is foolish.
To put our trust in the power of nature is foolish.
To put our trust in any other gods is foolish.
Trust the God for He is the LORD and there is no other.
Friday, July 5, 2013
Pick Me! Pick Me!
"Let him who boast, boast in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:31).
Do you remember picking teams for a game of kickball? It seems like we played it a lot at recess and in P.E. in elementary school.
But maybe I just remember it because it was traumatic.
They probably don't allow this in schools any more because it's so against the self-esteem movement.
But you remember. Two of the coolest kids would be captains. Then they would take turns picking their team members.
The first ones to get picked kicked the ball further.
Then the fast runners.
The cool kids got picked pretty early.
If it were girls as captains, they'd pick their friends and the cute boys.
The clumsy, slow or uncool kid got picked last all the time.
He had no qualities that he could bring to the team.
He'd rather be anywhere else but playing kickball.
I speak from experience.
But Paul says here in 1 Corinthians 1 that God did just the opposite.
God didn't choose me because I could do something for the team.
He didn't choose me for any skills, or looks, or money, that I have.
He chose me because He wanted to.
He chose me because He loved me.
He chose me because He wanted to satisfy me in ways that no one and nothing else can.
He chose me because He wanted to declare His wisdom and His glory.
If there's anything to boast about, I will boast in the Lord. He has done everything for me.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Who is like the LORD our God?
Psalm 113 begins with a call to praise the LORD. All day, every day and everywhere the LORD's name is to be praised.
Why?
Because He is above all nations. He is sovereign over the rulers, over the United Nations, over the Taliban. He is more powerful than the electoral college, the Supreme Court, or Wall Street.
And because His glory is above the heavens. He is more glorious than any star, any planet, any cloud nebulae. He is more magnificent than any mountain, any waterfall, any ocean. He is more amazing than the tiniest microbes, the growing trees or the human body.
He is seated on high, yet He looks down on the earth.
"Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?" (v 5-6).
He is exalted, yet He concerns Himself with the needs of man.
He lifts up the poor from the garbage heap to set him with nobles. He lifts the individual out of the pit of sin and seats him at the right hand of Christ. That's pretty amazing!
He gives the barren woman children. He performs miracles which medicine can't explain. He puts a baby in the womb of a woman. He heals cancer patients. He makes the lame to walk.
High and powerful, yet concerned about the needs of His creation.
That's my God!
Why?
Because He is above all nations. He is sovereign over the rulers, over the United Nations, over the Taliban. He is more powerful than the electoral college, the Supreme Court, or Wall Street.
And because His glory is above the heavens. He is more glorious than any star, any planet, any cloud nebulae. He is more magnificent than any mountain, any waterfall, any ocean. He is more amazing than the tiniest microbes, the growing trees or the human body.
He is seated on high, yet He looks down on the earth.
"Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?" (v 5-6).
He is exalted, yet He concerns Himself with the needs of man.
He lifts up the poor from the garbage heap to set him with nobles. He lifts the individual out of the pit of sin and seats him at the right hand of Christ. That's pretty amazing!
He gives the barren woman children. He performs miracles which medicine can't explain. He puts a baby in the womb of a woman. He heals cancer patients. He makes the lame to walk.
High and powerful, yet concerned about the needs of His creation.
That's my God!
Monday, June 3, 2013
God Save the Queen.
Stan Boelman, missionary in England posted this on Sunday on his Facebook page:
Happy Coronation anniversary to the Queen. 60 years ago today, Elizabeth was crowned as "Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas Queen, Defender of the Faith, Duchess of Edinburgh, Countess of Merioneth, Baroness Greenwich, Duke of Lancaster, Lord of Mann, Duke of Normandy, Sovereign of the Most Honourable Order of the Garter, Sovereign of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Sovereign of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Sovereign of the Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick, Sovereign of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Sovereign of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Sovereign of the Distinguished Service Order, Sovereign of the Imperial Service Order, Sovereign of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India, Sovereign of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, Sovereign of the Order of British India, Sovereign of the Indian Order of Merit, Sovereign of the Order of Burma, Sovereign of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert, Sovereign of the Royal Family Order of King Edward VII, Sovereign of the Order of Merit, Sovereign of the Order of the Companions of Honour, Sovereign of the Royal Victorian Order, Sovereign of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem." God save the Queen.
That's quite a list of titles.
I suppose there are people who know what they all mean. Talk about wearing a lot of hats.
And 60 years is a long time for her to hold all those positions. Not many of us have held any job for 60 years.
But it made me think of another sovereign.
That would be "Sovereign" with a capital "S."
The Queen of England does deserve respect because of her position and her title.
But God is sovereign over her.
In fact, God is sovereign over the whole universe. From the massive amounts of empty space to the subatomic particles. He's in control over all of those.
No one crowned Him to be sovereign. He didn't inherit the title. He didn't defeat any enemies to gain the throne.
He has always been and always will be sovereign.
So while we may celebrate the Queen of England's 60 year reign, let's not to celebrate and submit to our Sovereign Lord (Psalm 93).
Happy Coronation anniversary to the Queen. 60 years ago today, Elizabeth was crowned as "Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas Queen, Defender of the Faith, Duchess of Edinburgh, Countess of Merioneth, Baroness Greenwich, Duke of Lancaster, Lord of Mann, Duke of Normandy, Sovereign of the Most Honourable Order of the Garter, Sovereign of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Sovereign of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Sovereign of the Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick, Sovereign of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Sovereign of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Sovereign of the Distinguished Service Order, Sovereign of the Imperial Service Order, Sovereign of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India, Sovereign of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, Sovereign of the Order of British India, Sovereign of the Indian Order of Merit, Sovereign of the Order of Burma, Sovereign of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert, Sovereign of the Royal Family Order of King Edward VII, Sovereign of the Order of Merit, Sovereign of the Order of the Companions of Honour, Sovereign of the Royal Victorian Order, Sovereign of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem." God save the Queen.
That's quite a list of titles.
I suppose there are people who know what they all mean. Talk about wearing a lot of hats.
And 60 years is a long time for her to hold all those positions. Not many of us have held any job for 60 years.
But it made me think of another sovereign.
That would be "Sovereign" with a capital "S."
The Queen of England does deserve respect because of her position and her title.
But God is sovereign over her.
In fact, God is sovereign over the whole universe. From the massive amounts of empty space to the subatomic particles. He's in control over all of those.
No one crowned Him to be sovereign. He didn't inherit the title. He didn't defeat any enemies to gain the throne.
He has always been and always will be sovereign.
So while we may celebrate the Queen of England's 60 year reign, let's not to celebrate and submit to our Sovereign Lord (Psalm 93).
Friday, May 24, 2013
What are you doing today?
Psalm 104 tells about God's sovereignty over creation. He sets the boundaries for the oceans, controls the food chain, causes the sun to rise and set and provides the ingredients for man's food.
Everywhere we look, there is evidence of God's sovereignty and His mercy. Not only is He in control of creation, His control shows His mercy.
He could let the waters flood the earth as in the days of Noah.
he could cause earthquakes and volcanoes to wipe out humanity.
But He doesn't He chooses to control the universe so that we can continue to live.
As long as we are still alive, God has a purpose for our lives.
So what should we do about that?
The psalmist's response is to praise God.
"I will sing to the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God while I live.
May my meditation be pleasing to Him;
I will rejoice in the LORD" (v 33-34).
Every day and all day, we should be praising God.
Every day and all day, we should be thinking God-thoughts.
It's a choice to be made every day and all day.
I can choose to complain about my situation, or I can choose to praise God who is lovingly controlling those events.
I can choose to complain about the bad things in life, or I can choose to praise God who is restraining evil and disaster - it could be a lot worse!
God is in control, doing what is best for me, so there really is no better thing for me to do than to praise Him.
Every day.
All day.
Everywhere we look, there is evidence of God's sovereignty and His mercy. Not only is He in control of creation, His control shows His mercy.
He could let the waters flood the earth as in the days of Noah.
he could cause earthquakes and volcanoes to wipe out humanity.
But He doesn't He chooses to control the universe so that we can continue to live.
As long as we are still alive, God has a purpose for our lives.
So what should we do about that?
The psalmist's response is to praise God.
"I will sing to the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God while I live.
May my meditation be pleasing to Him;
I will rejoice in the LORD" (v 33-34).
Every day and all day, we should be praising God.
Every day and all day, we should be thinking God-thoughts.
It's a choice to be made every day and all day.
I can choose to complain about my situation, or I can choose to praise God who is lovingly controlling those events.
I can choose to complain about the bad things in life, or I can choose to praise God who is restraining evil and disaster - it could be a lot worse!
God is in control, doing what is best for me, so there really is no better thing for me to do than to praise Him.
Every day.
All day.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Eat, Drink and Be Merry
More thoughts from yesterday's sermon:
This is obviously an area where I've needed help in the last months. I lean more to an Eyeore-mentality, at least internally. Gloomy rain clouds overhead. Everything isn't as bad as it could be, but it's probably headed that direction. Maybe you're the same way.
Even in submitting to God's sovereignty, I can be a pessimist. God's in control. He's got a purpose. I'll just live out the days of my miserable existence and see what His plan is.
But Solomon puts the two together in a biblical perspective in Ecclesiates 3.
"For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:" (v 1)
""I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil - this is God's gift to man" (vs 12-13).
Since God is in control, since He is directing the events of my life - the good and the bad, I can enjoy life!
What does that look like?
It's not the hedonism that lives for pleasure: eating, drinking and being merry for tomorrow we die. Live the good life because there's noting after this life.
It's not the pessimism that resigns itself to fate: eating, drinking and maybe being merry because it's bound to get worse. Just eat and drink enough to get by.
And it's not the optimism that ignores the problems of life: Let's ignore the problems by eating, drinking and being merry.
But it's the enjoyment of the blessings that God has given me. Food, drink, laughter with friends and family, even my job. Oh, you probably didn't want to hear that, did you - "...take pleasure in all his toil - this is God's gift to man."
Submitting to God's sovereignty and enjoying His provision relieves me of worry.
It also relieves me of being a control maniac. I don't have to have everything under my control, because God has it under His control.
So today I can enjoy the meals that God has set before me. I can look forward to going to work. I can anticipate a few laughs with co-workers and customers. I can enjoy life!
This is obviously an area where I've needed help in the last months. I lean more to an Eyeore-mentality, at least internally. Gloomy rain clouds overhead. Everything isn't as bad as it could be, but it's probably headed that direction. Maybe you're the same way.
Even in submitting to God's sovereignty, I can be a pessimist. God's in control. He's got a purpose. I'll just live out the days of my miserable existence and see what His plan is.
But Solomon puts the two together in a biblical perspective in Ecclesiates 3.
"For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:" (v 1)
""I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil - this is God's gift to man" (vs 12-13).
Since God is in control, since He is directing the events of my life - the good and the bad, I can enjoy life!
What does that look like?
It's not the hedonism that lives for pleasure: eating, drinking and being merry for tomorrow we die. Live the good life because there's noting after this life.
It's not the pessimism that resigns itself to fate: eating, drinking and maybe being merry because it's bound to get worse. Just eat and drink enough to get by.
And it's not the optimism that ignores the problems of life: Let's ignore the problems by eating, drinking and being merry.
But it's the enjoyment of the blessings that God has given me. Food, drink, laughter with friends and family, even my job. Oh, you probably didn't want to hear that, did you - "...take pleasure in all his toil - this is God's gift to man."
Submitting to God's sovereignty and enjoying His provision relieves me of worry.
It also relieves me of being a control maniac. I don't have to have everything under my control, because God has it under His control.
So today I can enjoy the meals that God has set before me. I can look forward to going to work. I can anticipate a few laughs with co-workers and customers. I can enjoy life!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
God did it!
Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. For close to twenty years, he hadn't seen his family. His brothers were carrying the guilt of their actions all this time. His father was grieving for two decades.
Joseph had been falsely accused and served time in jail. When he interpreted Pharaoh's dream, he was elevated to Prime Minister over Egypt.
Still all this time he had no idea what had happened to his family and his family didn't know what had happened to him.
After a series of tests, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers.
In his conversation with his brothers, he says, "And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life...And God sent me before you...So it was not you who sent me here, but God..." (Gen 45:3-8).
The actions of Joseph's brothers were wicked. They abused their brother. They betrayed their father. They carried out a lie for two decades. They were sinners living with the consequences of their sinful choices.
But Joseph realized that it was all God's plan. Maybe he didn't realize it until that moment. Maybe he wondered those twenty years what God was doing. But at last it was clear.
The same is true today. Maybe your family has fallen apart. Maybe you're grieving the loss of a child. Maybe you're unemployed. Maybe you've been uprooted and starting all over.
Maybe you're trying to figure out what God is trying to do.
Be patient.
God is working to fulfill His plan, not yours. He will accomplish what He wants. And as we learn about God and as His plan is revealed, what He wants is what we want.
Joseph had been falsely accused and served time in jail. When he interpreted Pharaoh's dream, he was elevated to Prime Minister over Egypt.
Still all this time he had no idea what had happened to his family and his family didn't know what had happened to him.
After a series of tests, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers.
In his conversation with his brothers, he says, "And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life...And God sent me before you...So it was not you who sent me here, but God..." (Gen 45:3-8).
The actions of Joseph's brothers were wicked. They abused their brother. They betrayed their father. They carried out a lie for two decades. They were sinners living with the consequences of their sinful choices.
But Joseph realized that it was all God's plan. Maybe he didn't realize it until that moment. Maybe he wondered those twenty years what God was doing. But at last it was clear.
The same is true today. Maybe your family has fallen apart. Maybe you're grieving the loss of a child. Maybe you're unemployed. Maybe you've been uprooted and starting all over.
Maybe you're trying to figure out what God is trying to do.
Be patient.
God is working to fulfill His plan, not yours. He will accomplish what He wants. And as we learn about God and as His plan is revealed, what He wants is what we want.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)