Day One
So far we’ve looked at two different perspectives regarding God’s sovereign nature. First, how God’s creative authority reveals his sovereignty. He is the author and therefore authority rests with him. Second, we looked at how we reveal his sovereignty when we call or make him Lord in our lives. Although he is God, it is our submission, surrender that crowns him Lord. He doesn’t lord over us, rather we abide in relationship with him as sons and daughters.
This week I want consider four specific areas of God’s sovereignty revealed in the Bible. When I think of God’s sovereignty, I rejoice because I understand, even if only a little, that being in his kingdom is very good. I am alive and purposed to be inside that kingdom where he has reigning authority. This understanding has been very natural for me. However, I know that isn’t the case for everyone. For some, the sovereign nature of God is or can be the confusing and disillusioning. I don’t want to ignore my brothers and sisters in this place; and I want to keep learning more about God’s sovereignty. So, I asked a friend to help me out and they sent these four focused, important truths about God’s sovereignty*. Let’s call them the Four S’s of Sovereignty — Salvation, Sin, Satan, and Suffering.
God is Sovereign Over Salvation
- In John 6:37, 44, Jesus says all the Father gives him will come to him, and also that no one can come to him unless the Father draws him.
- In Ezekiel 36:26-27, God gives us the new heart and puts his Spirit in us so we can walk in obedience.
- In Ephesians 2:8, Paul writes that our faith is a gift of grace from God so that we cannot boast in it.
God is Sovereign Over Sin
- In Genesis 50:20, Joseph makes an incredible statement to his brothers, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” God “mean” it, not “turned” it for good.
- In Acts 4:27-28, the disciples prayer captures the sovereignty of God over the sin of murdering Jesus which was predestined to take place.
God is Sovereign Over Satan
- In Job chapters 1 and 2, Satan had to ask for permission to touch Job. If you keep reading, you see Job remains faithful to God even in the loss and questions. God blesses Job even more in his later days than in his early days. Remember, God’s goodness in not separated from his Sovereignty.
- In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus explains that Satan demanded (not asked) to have Peter, to sift him like wheat. But Jesus prayed instead that his faith would not fail and that he strengthen the church.
- In Revelation 20, no matter how one interprets the timing, it clearly teaches God has final victory over Satan, which has already been accomplished through the cross (Col. 2:13-15).
God is Sovereign Over Suffering
- In John 11, Jesus chose to go late to heal Lazarus, letting him die so that people would believe.
- In 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Paul’s thorn in the flesh remained and God, in His grace, chose not to remove it.
- Romans 8:18-30 is written in the context of suffering. Verse 28, And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good.
I believe it’s worth repeating, God is LORD (Jehovah) and there is no changing that. But we were created to be in relationship with him and to call Lord (Adonai). When we commune with him we begin to see his whole nature as it is revealed to us in covenant. I believe Paul addresses this relationship between God and man well in Philippians. He first writes, And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (1:6). He goes on to say, Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed…work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure (2:12-13).
This week as you read the daily scriptures, consider ask the Lord to reveal his sovereignty to you and how you can partner or co-labor with him for the Kingdom of Heaven.
Day Two
John 6: 35-40
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
Day Three
Ezekiel 36:23-27
And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
Day Four
Genesis 50:15-21
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people[b] should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
Day Five
Luke 22:28-34
You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”
Day Six
Romans 8:18-25
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Day Seven
Romans18:26-28
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose
© Adrienne Scott 2018
*Acknowledgments – Pastor Scott Shoop.
Brave Sparrow 