God is Sovereign, Keep Going

As we journey through life, we can be certain that the many seasons of life will accompany the trip: joys, sorrows, hardship, success, failure, discouragement, disappointment, birth, death, sickness, health, relationships built and broken, laughter and tears. The storms will rise and calm down, mountains will be conquered, and valleys will overwhelm us.

As we soldier through the diverse seasons, our view of God will have a bearing on how we approach life and face the seasons that will come this year. It will affect how you react and respond to the different seasons and situations that life will bring. One essential truth about God is the fact that He is sovereign, and we should live in light of His sovereignty. God’s people must arm themselves with the glorious truth that God is sovereign over His creation, and so they must keep on our pilgrimage with great hope. What does it mean that God is sovereign? Consider the testimony of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4, where he declares,

At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”

At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me.Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble. Daniel 4:34-37

GOD HAS ABSOLUTE RULE

Nebuchadnezzar was the superpower; other kings paid him homage, other rulers worshipped him. He had an all-powerful and all-conquering army at his command. Then he met the sovereign Lord of hosts, who humbled him in a powerful and dramatic way. While other kings and lords exist, there is none like the Lord (Isaiah 48:5-10). He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. "The Lord reigns" is the absolute declaration of the scriptures (Psalm 97:1). There is no sphere, aspect, or being in the universe that is not under the rulership of the Lord.

GOD HAS ABSOLUTE FREEDOM

To be sovereign is to be independent. It is to be free to do as you please. The Lord does as He pleases. He works “according to his will.” He needs no counsel and needs no assistance. He declares in Isaiah, “… my counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.” And later he says, “I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.” Isaiah 46:10-11. The purposes and plans of our God are yes and amen. He has absolute freedom to do as he pleases.

GOD HAS ABSOLUTE POWER  

To be sovereign is to also possess power. God has the authority to do as He pleases; He also has the power to do as He pleases. There is nothing He cannot do; all His purposes shall pass. And there is no one who can stop or frustrate the plans of the Almighty God. As Nebuchadnezzar found out, there is no one who has the right to question Him either. 

It is because of this truth that our God alone is worthy of praise and worship. All other objects of worship are too puny.

SIX WAYS THE LORD HAS DEMONSTRATES HIS SOVEREIGNTY

1.     He is sovereign over creation- Psalm 104:5-10; Psalm 104:13-14; 104:19-20

2.    He is sovereign over the actions of evil men and natural disasters- Genesis 45:5; 50:20; Exodus 4:21; Judges 14:1-4; Psa 76:10; Pro 16:4; Isa 44:28; Amos 3:6; Act 2:22-23; Act 4:27-28

3.    He is sovereign over matters of chance- Proverbs 16:33

4.    He is sovereign over satan & evil spirits- 1 Samuel 16:14-16; 1 Kings 22:19-23; Job 1-2

5.    He is sovereign over life and death- 1 Samuel 2:1-7, Ecclesiates 3:1-8

6.    Sovereign over salvation- Ephesians 1:3,4,5 11, Acts 2:22-23, Romans 8:28-30

Dear Christian, do not fret, do not fear. The Lord your God is on the throne. He rules and reigns. And He is fully aware of your every season and situation. God is sovereign; keep going.