Revealed Week 15 // Sovereign // Authority
Day One
I’ll be blunt. God did not reveal his sovereign nature to us so that we could argue about it, creating a heightened, often dividing, anxiety in his body. I quickly realized as I began to study and research the subject of God’s sovereignty that most of us, including me, have a conditioned, snap reaction to it based on the arguments surrounding it. If we are not careful, we will jump straight to the questions, the debates—the division. That’s not okay. When we do that, we miss the beauty of God’s nature. He is Lord of all! If nothing else this week, I want to cut back some of the overgrowth surrounding the subject of God’s Sovereignty that creates fear in us.
As a student of theology, but even more so as a disciple that daily walks and talks with God, I understand the questions that God’s lordship raises. I understand why the subject is overgrown with arguments. They are valid inquiries into his nature. If God is all-knowing, all-present, all-seeing, why doesn’t he do _____?; why did he do ______?; what’s the point in even trying? I’ve asked God all those questions—sometimes nicely and at other times quite demanding if I’m honest. But for the next few weeks will you join me in setting aside the questions, the fears, the debates, and the unknowing? I believe that as we look to him, he will not only hear us but will address our concerens.
One of the keys to approaching God’s sovereignty (God’s lordship, rule, majesty, supremeness) and cutting back the overgrowth around the subject is to remember that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He cannot be divided among himself, he is perfect (holy). God’s rule (sovereignty) cannot be separated from everything that he is. His rule is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and his rule is good. His authority stems from wisdom, life, and love because God himself is wisdom, life, and love.
Perhaps looking back to God as Creator is the best place to start because it addresses his authority. He has always existed. Not only is God uncreated, he chose to create. He authored creation, giving him authority over it. He knows everything about it, its limitation and its possibilities. He thought it up. Creation has not spun out of his control or from the reach of his love. That’s what makes him God, supreme. He has the might, substance, and authority to rule over it.
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17
God’s sovereignty must be revealed to us because he is the author and sustainer of everything we know and could ever know.
This week, as you read the following daily scriptures ask the Holy Spirit to cut back any anxiety or snap responses to his sovereignty, and to reveal the safety and goodness of his authority and lordship.
Day Two
Psalm 24:1-6
The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Day Three Isaiah 29:16 You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?
Isaiah 64:8 But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.
Day Four
Hebrews 1:3-4
[Jesus] is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Hebrews 12:2
…looking to Jesus, the [author] and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Day Five
Ephesians 1:19-23
…and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Day Six
Matthew 7:28
And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
Mark 4:38-41
And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Day Seven
Jude 24-25
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Brave Sparrow 