Sovereignty Saturday: Sovereignty Over Evil

Gen 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

We serve a God who is Sovereign. Many people, including myself, often have a difficult time grasping the full understanding of Sovereignty. Today I want to touch briefly on the Sovereignty of God when it comes to evil. I know we see it every day in movies and television. There is often a bad guy, (or evil villain) and a good guy. As the movie plays out it appears like the bad guy is going to win and eventually the good guy triumphs over evil.

Fortunately for us, that isn't how it works. There is never a struggle from God to defeat evil. It has already been done! We don't serve a God who might triumph over evil... we serve a God who did. Jesus defeated evil on the cross and we know that Satan only has as long of a leash as God will allow him to have.

This verse in Genesis tells us that the trouble Joseph went through was not a mystery to God. He didn't look at what was happening, scratch his head, and ask Himself what He could do about it. Joseph understood the Sovereignty of God. What his brothers did he understood they meant for evil but God "meant" it for good. He didn't say turned it into something good. He said he meant it for good.

Romans 8:28 tells us a similar story. God works all things together for good...

Daily In Christ - Sovereignty Saturday

Do you believe all things in your life are intended for good? Do you see God's Sovereign hand working all things out?

Today I encourage you to look at the story of Joseph in the Bible. See all the events that led up to him saving his people and see how that correlates to Jesus saving us. God's hand is in all things and it is reassuring to know that we don't have to worry whether or not anything is out of His control.

Blessings,
Keith

Sovereignty Saturday: Is He Sovereign Over Death?

Is God sovereign over all things? Many people have a difficult time answering this question, me included. If He is sovereign over all things then we eventually come full circle to the question, "Is God sovereign over sin and death?"

Several years back my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. During the same time a close friend was diagnosed with cancer in his spine, stomach, and brain. While I was walking with my lovely bride through the effects of this horrible affliction, I was also walking by the side of my friend. Today, eleven years later, I celebrate with my wife the victory the Lord has given her over the cancer, and I still ponder over the death of my 28 year old friend.

He fought the battle of cancer for five months and as it would seem to many of us here on earth... he lost. The question arose often while many of us would gather around his bedside and pray and worship... "Is God listening to our prayers?" This young man knew the Lord, lived a clean life, and lived to glorify Him. So why did he die at such a young age of 28. His entire future was still before him. He was married and had great plans to serve God with his wife for 50 more years. He had it all going for him.

Let's take for a moment and suppose a thing or two. Suppose that my friend had lived. We would all praise God for Him being Sovereign over disease and healing him. Let's suppose that my friend was able to grow old with his wife and share his story with thousands how God saved him from the clutches of cancer. We would all join him in his victory. So why then do we often assume that because he died that God isn't just as involved?

God knew the Egyptians would die in the Red Sea. God understood that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah would turn away from Him and He would eventually wipe them out. God knew Moses was going to die in the wilderness. And Jesus even predicts and tells the apostles of His own death. Jesus tells us in Mat 10:29 that He even knows when a sparrow is going to fall to the ground. Not only does he know when we are to die, but He also has authority over death. Col 1:18 tells us the He is "firstborn" from the dead. The term here means that God has authority over it. He died on the cross and rose from the dead.

Mat 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.

Since He has broken the chains of death, we know that one day the scripture will come to pass that asks, "Oh death where is your sting?" (1Cor 15:55) We understand today that death has a sting. We experience it every time we go to a funeral. But there is hope that the victory and sting of death will be removed when we too are resurrected unto Him.

Daily In Christ - Sovereignty Saturday

If we believe that God is the giver of all good things, then do we assume that He is also Sovereign over death? Today I encourage you to search the scriptures and pray. Ask God to reveal His heart to you and help you see His hand working in all things.

Blessings to you as you draw close to Him,
Keith

Sovereignty Saturday: God's Hand Over Nature

Psa 135:6-7 Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

I remember growing up as a kid in the 70's there was a commercial we would see on television for Chiffon margarine. The theme of the commercial was that someone substituted margarine for the great taste of butter, and fooled mother nature. When she found out she was being duped, she would stand up, flash a bolt of light across the scene with roaring thunder and exclaim in her angry voice, "It's not nice to fool mother nature!" Isn't it nice to know that nature isn't controlled by some "mother" who gets angry when you tick her off and throws down lightning bolts?

We serve a Sovereign Creator who is in complete control of His creation. If you are a Bible believing Christian then this should come as no surprise. But when you see the news and another hurricane strikes the coast, massive amounts of snow blanket the East, or an earthquake rocks a small defenseless island, do you wonder just a bit if God had any idea it was happening? Rest assured, He is not surprised. God uses nature to do His will and serve His mighty purpose. There are many examples of it in the Scriptures.

He sent a great storm to cause the sailors to throw Jonah into the sea (Jon 1:4). God caused the earth to flood and saved only Noah and his family(Gen 6:1 - 9:17). Jesus calms the storm when He and the disciples were crossing the sea (Mark 4:35-39). These are just a few examples of His power over the weather and nature.

The Old Testament is filled with many examples of God using storms, famine, and other natural occurrences to discipline His people. However, we have moved into a New Covenant. Jesus took the wrath of God on the cross for us and now we live under His mercy and grace. God is in control of nature, but no longer uses it to punish us. All of our punishment for sin was laid upon Jesus. Why we have natural disasters, famine, and other weather related difficulties is a mystery to me. I trust that God is good and that He loves us, so I believe He uses them for a purpose and we will one day be able to see the big picture. Until then...

Daily In Christ - Sovereignty Saturday

Look around today and experience God through nature. Take some time to see His hand working in the beauty, majesty, and mystery of His creation.

Blessings to you as you seek Him.

Keith

Sovereignty Saturday: The Omniscience Of God

Over the past two Saturday's I have look at the Biblical truths surrounding the Sovereignty of God through the attributes of God. Week one was the Omnipotence of God. This is an attribute that is solely God's alone. It is the ability to have all power to accomplish anything He desires. Week two brought us Omnipresence. This is the understanding that God is in all places at all times. This week I will share about the Omniscience of God. Omniscience is another attribute unique only to God. It is the ability to know all things. Not only to know, but to have perfect knowledge.

Believing that God has all knowledge means we come to an understanding that there is nothing past, present, or future that escapes Him. Whether it be in the natural realm (Psa 147:4-5), the spiritual realm (Psa 139:7) , or buried deep inside the human heart (Psa 139:2-4), God has perfect understanding of what is going on. As one who knows all, nothing will occur without first passing through Him. In His Sovereignty comes great security for the believer. When we are harmed, He knows our pain and shows us compassion. Difficulties and trials don't take Him by surprise. When we rejoice, He is the source of our joy, and rejoices with us.

A. W. Pink (1886-1952) in his book "Divine Inspiration of The Bible" states it like this:

"The Bible gives forth no uncertain sound. It speaks with absolute assurance, dogmatism, and finality. Its promises are certain for they are promises of Him who cannot lie. Its testimony is reliable for it is the inerrant Word of the Living God. Its teachings are trustworthy for they are a communication of the Omniscient. The believer then has a sure foundation on which to rest, an impregnable rock on which to build his hopes. For his present peace and for his future prospects he has a, “Thus saith the Lord,” and that is sufficient." (emphasis added)

Daily In Christ - Sovereignty Saturday

1John 3:20 tells us that God knows all things. Today I encourage you to begin to wrap your mind around that Biblical truth. He knows your thoughts, He knows when the next natural disaster will occur, and He loves you enough to know the number of hairs on your head.

God's Omniscience gives me comfort in my walk with Him because I have a God who is all knowing. And when I put into the mix His loving nature; pure love and all knowledge is an awesome combination.

Blessings to you today as you put your trust in Him.

Keith

Sovereignty Saturday: The Omnipresence Of God

Psa 139:7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?

Last week I shared on the topic of the omnipotence of God. It is the ability in which He can do all things that do not conflict with His holy nature. God has the power to do anything He wants to. This week I delight in looking at the omnipresence of God. I know for me, omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience… they all can seem quite confusing. However, when it comes to understanding and trusting in the Sovereignty of God, they are all characteristics that are vital to who He is.

mp3 audio file

Omnipresence defined: The understanding that God is in all places at all times.

If God, being all powerful, can do whatever He desires, then what is to stop Him from being anywhere He desires. I know for me in my Christian walk, I have a general understanding that God has the power to go everywhere. But to put my head around the fact that He IS everywhere at the same time ALL of the time boggles the mind. This ever present God we faithfully serve isn’t like us when it comes to being somewhere. I know I am often in one place but my mind and desire is to be somewhere else. God is in all places at all times. This means that God is completely there… Not a portion of Him, not bits and pieces here and there, all of God all the time. (Figure that one out!)

So what does this omnipresence mean for you and me? First it means that He is with us when we sin (Jer 23:23-24). But more importantly, for the believer, It is comforting to know and understand that God is with us in every circumstance of our life (Psa 139:7-16). He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb 13:5). Understanding the omnipresence of God should empower us to walk confidently in our faith. He is there when we go to work and face the people we interact with who don’t know Christ. He walks with us in times of sickness and despair. He is right by our side when we are experiencing the joy of a new born baby. God is all places at all times sharing in our struggles, successes, and joys.

Daily In Christ – Sovereignty Saturday Challenge

Understanding the reality that God is in all places in all times, think for a moment what that means to you as a Christian. Does it change how you speak to others? Does it make you consider what you do when you are alone and temptations are around every corner? Does it cause you to want to give Him a second thought when you have a decision to be made?

God’s omnipresence causes me to really consider my actions and behaviors more carefully, understanding that I want to glorify Him in all I do. Nothing I do can be hidden from him. And nothing I am needing help with is a surprise to Him.

Praise God today for His ever knowing, ever present spirit.

Blessings,
Keith

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Sovereignty Saturday: The Omnipotence Of God

The Omnipotence Of God

Omnipotence: An attribute of God alone. It is the quality of having all power (Psalm 115:3). He can do all things that do not conflict with His holy nature. God has the power to do anything He wants to.

Mat 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (esv)

Omnipotence is the attribute of God which allows Him to bring all that He wills to pass. His power and ability has no limits and no boundaries. There are many places we see this in the scriptures. God didn't have to raise His hands, He simply spoke and the universe came into existence. (Gen 1:1-3) The story of Saul's conversion in Acts 9, the hardening of Pharaohs heart (Exo 4:11; Exo 4:21), and even the time in Luke 22:22-23 when Satan wants to sift Peter like wheat and Jesus, being aware of the intentions of Satan, prays for Peter and strengthens him.

All these passages are true life situations that tell a story of the sovereignty of God. He has a glorious and mighty purpose and He has the power and authority to carry it out. In James 4:13-15 we are reminded that we do not know what tomorrow will bring us. We may make a plan to do this thing or that, but the ultimate plan is what the Lord allows to come to pass. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that."

Daily In Christ - Sovereignty Saturday Challenge

Today's Sovereignty Saturday Challenge is this. Prayerfully read through the scriptures in this post today. As you read through them, ask the Lord to reveal areas of your life that you have not surrendered to His sovereign control. Finances, relationships, work or school situations, ministry opportunities. Whatever He lays on your heart I encourage you to give it over to Him.

There are so many areas we try to keep control of, and as we are reminded in James; if He wills, we will do this or that.

Blessings to you today as you surrender your life more fully to Him.

Keith

Sovereignty Saturday: Is God Over All Things?

Isa 45:7 The One forming light and creating darkness,
Causing well-being and creating calamity;
I am the LORD who does all these. (nasb)

Is there really any question who is in control? I often times look at my life and feel like I have everything under control. And then, within the blink of an eye I realize how little I am in control of.

A close friend of mine and I were talking just yesterday about the sovereignty of God. For me there is a real mystery between the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. This verse in Isaiah speaks of the sovereignty of God. He created the light and dark. He causes good and calamity. There are two words that stand out in this verse for me today that I think require careful study and understanding. They are the words "causing" and "creating."

Often times in our desire to make God more like us, we assume that He only allows good things to happen and His hands are tied when it comes to the bad things that occur in our life. It is as if He is wanting to help us but we act as though He is surprised at our circumstances and has very little that He can do. Often we even assume He isn't trying to help at all and wonder where He is.

After much suffering, counsel, and debating with God, Job made an amazing discovery.

Job 42:2-3 "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

God is sovereign over everything. He not only causes all things to occur for our good for those called according to His purpose, (Rom 8:28-29) but He predetermines our steps (Prov 20:24) and guides us along the way.

Daily In Christ - Sovereignty of God Challenge

Ask yourself this question today, "Do I really believe God is sovereign over
all things in my life... even the difficulties and trials?"

Here are some questions to ponder as you search out this question:

• When Jesus hand picked the twelve, did he know that Judas would betray Him? (Matt 26:21-23)
  
• How did Jesus know that all of the disciples would scatter (Matt 26:31)
• Is anything outside of the hand of the God who is able to create the heavens and the earth?
• Did God cause the suffering of Job, the imprisonment of Joseph, the betrayal of Jesus, and other circumstances for His glory and purpose or did He respond to them after they happened?

God's sovereignty and our responsibility is not an easy thing to grasp. I am certain this post has not answered all questions about God's sovereignty. Please join me by visiting Daily In Christ every Saturday as I wrestle through the sovereignty of God. I pray that He opens your heart and mind as you dive into the Word. May God reveal His truth to you today about His awesome character.

Blessings to you as you seek His face.
Keith