Pick up the newspaper or turn on your favorite news channel on any given day and you’re sure to come across news of some international conflict, terrorist plot, or political unrest. You’ll see a world in upheaval.
You want to see change and so you vote for the candidates and policies you think will help bring about a better world. Sometimes you feel like your vote makes a difference, other times you wonder whether it’s worth voting at all. Everything just seems to be such a mess. Sometimes, if you know enough about what’s going on in the world, it seems like everything is totally out of control. It can be pretty depressing. And, it would be very depressing and truly hopeless if the events of history were in fact random events, the product of evil men in control, making decisions with evil intentions.
But history is not the succession of random events or the product of evil intentions. History is not out of control. God is in control. This is His-story. We live. We die. Governments come. Governments go. Nations rise and fall. God is behind it all.
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. (Acts 17:26 NIV)
God started with one man, Adam, and from him He has created every nation. He has determined when each nation would exist and where they would exist. Kings, dictators, and presidents think they rule the world. They are wrong.
Daniel was a prominent government official in the empire of Babylon. He was also a great prophet of Jehovah who understood what was really happening in the world. Carefully consider Daniel’s perspective on world events.
"Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. "It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding.” (Daniel 2:20-21 NAU)
Bible scholar Gleason Archer explains what Daniel is saying in verse 21. “God determines when in history events are to take place (“times”) and how long each process or phase in history is to endure (“epochs”).” The New Living Translation of this verse also helps us get a better understanding of the significance of this verse. “He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings.”
History is not moving along haphazardly. The events of history take place exactly according to the timing of God and last only as long as God has determined they would.
I know this presents lots of questions for us when we see all the evil in the world, but our questions must not lead us to alter the clear teaching of scripture. God is in control of all the events of history. Though this is confusing, think of the alternative and you realize any other solution is impossible. How could God declare the certainty of future events as He does all through scripture if He is not in control of history? How could we rely on the promises of God if God is not in control of the events of this world?
God is in control. He is sovereign over all the events of history, past, present, and future. And, He is orchestrating all these events to fulfill His great plan, to fulfill His purpose for His pleasure.
We can find calm, peace, and rest in the midst of political upheaval and a world that is filled with evil because our God is still on the throne of creation. God is in control!
You can find calm, peace, and rest in the face of troubling events in your life. You can find calm, peace, and rest in the face events that threaten your stability and even your life as you acknowledge and embrace the sovereignty of God over all of your life circumstances. Choose to submit to His plan, and find peace in the truth that He is orchestrating every event in your life for your highest good and His greatest glory. God is in control!
SDG
Next: (91) God's Sovereignty Over Man
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
(89) God's Sovereignty Over Nature - 2
This is an appropriate time to begin to consider the impact of these truths for you and me. Scripture emphasizes two very real and practical ways that our lives will be transformed when we fully appreciate the reality of God’s sovereign control over nature.
Realizing and embracing God’s wise control and direction of nature will build greater confidence when nature gets ugly & threatening. If I really believe that God’s all-wise, loving and benevolent hand is guiding all of nature, I will not be as quick to be controlled by fear and anxiety when nature seems to threaten life and well-being. This is the heart of the first few lines of Psalm 46.
How do I find peace and confidence when it looks to me like all nature’s fury is coming against me? I remind myself, no, I preach powerfully to myself, reminding myself that not one drop of rain, not one puff of wind, not one spark of lightning, not one minor tremor of the earth can occur except by God’s design. I remind myself that it is all according to His plan that is ultimately for my good and His glory. I take refuge in Him and His ever present help. I choose to trust God and entrust my life to His sovereign plan and care.
There is a second source of confidence found in God’s sovereignty over nature that also provides great comfort. We find it in Jesus’ most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount. We’ve already taken a glimpse at what Jesus teaches here, now let’s look at the fuller context and the lesson He teaches.
Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? "And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. (Matthew 6:26-30)
Jesus uses God’s sovereign care over some of the least significant aspects of the ebb and flow of nature to teach us a very important lesson. He moves from the insignificant of nature to the most significant in nature, humanity. He shows us that God meticulously cares for a single sparrow and the wild flowers. Then, He teaches us that God’s sovereign care in our lives far exceeds His sovereign care of nature in these small, insignificant details. He teaches us that God’s providential care for us extends even to a single hair on our heads!
What comfort! What cause for confidence! So, why worry? If God so perfectly and sovereignly cares for the rest of creation, don’t you think He will take care of you? Come on, think about it! Choose to embrace sovereignty. Choose to trust God.
God is in control . . . really, He is. And if God can perfectly sustain and orchestrate the grand symphony of the rest of creation, don’t you think He can take care of you and me?
Next: (90) God's Sovereignty Over History
Realizing and embracing God’s wise control and direction of nature will build greater confidence when nature gets ugly & threatening. If I really believe that God’s all-wise, loving and benevolent hand is guiding all of nature, I will not be as quick to be controlled by fear and anxiety when nature seems to threaten life and well-being. This is the heart of the first few lines of Psalm 46.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
(Psalm 46:1-3 ESV)
How do I find peace and confidence when it looks to me like all nature’s fury is coming against me? I remind myself, no, I preach powerfully to myself, reminding myself that not one drop of rain, not one puff of wind, not one spark of lightning, not one minor tremor of the earth can occur except by God’s design. I remind myself that it is all according to His plan that is ultimately for my good and His glory. I take refuge in Him and His ever present help. I choose to trust God and entrust my life to His sovereign plan and care.
There is a second source of confidence found in God’s sovereignty over nature that also provides great comfort. We find it in Jesus’ most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount. We’ve already taken a glimpse at what Jesus teaches here, now let’s look at the fuller context and the lesson He teaches.
Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? "And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. (Matthew 6:26-30)
Jesus uses God’s sovereign care over some of the least significant aspects of the ebb and flow of nature to teach us a very important lesson. He moves from the insignificant of nature to the most significant in nature, humanity. He shows us that God meticulously cares for a single sparrow and the wild flowers. Then, He teaches us that God’s sovereign care in our lives far exceeds His sovereign care of nature in these small, insignificant details. He teaches us that God’s providential care for us extends even to a single hair on our heads!
What comfort! What cause for confidence! So, why worry? If God so perfectly and sovereignly cares for the rest of creation, don’t you think He will take care of you? Come on, think about it! Choose to embrace sovereignty. Choose to trust God.
God is in control . . . really, He is. And if God can perfectly sustain and orchestrate the grand symphony of the rest of creation, don’t you think He can take care of you and me?
Next: (90) God's Sovereignty Over History
Monday, October 4, 2010
(88) The Nature & Extent of God’s Sovereignty
When we set out to define and describe the sovereignly of God, we noted that “there is nothing whether within Himself or in all of creation that is outside God’s control and direction. God exercises control and direction over all creation without qualification or exception.” Let’s look more closely now at what scripture specifically says about three key areas of God’s sovereignty. First, God is sovereign over Nature.
It’s an exceptionally beautiful day. The sun is shining brightly with a few puffy clouds in the sky. The temperature is just right and there’s a peaceful, gentle breeze blowing. You take a dep breath of fresh air, smile, look up at the sky and say, “Thank You Lord!” Why do you do that? Because you recognize that this beautiful day is a gift from God. You are affirming God’s sovereign control of the weather.
We delight in God’s grace and mercy in nature as we experience it in the sunshine and rain that cause the brilliantly colored and fragrant flowers to bud and the delicious fruits and vegetables to grow. We are thankful that nature moves along giving us joy, pleasure and provision, even when we don’t notice.
Yes, God mercifully and graciously cares for His creation. The book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus Himself is the one who upholds all of creation by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3). Aren’t you grateful to know that God is in control of nature and nature is under control because He is God over nature?
But, what about when nature becomes threatening and fierce? What about when it rains on our picnic, or our garden wedding? What about when the flowers and fruit aren’t growing because of drought? What about when they are destroyed by storm or flood? What about when a city is virtually wiped out by a natural disaster? Do we still affirm God’s sovereign control and care of nature? Does God just send the sunshine and not the storm? What does scripture say about this?
God is not just sovereign over the pleasant weather that makes for a delightful picnic in the park or a day at the beach. He is also sovereign over the fierce storms of hail, snow, stormy winds, tumults of water, blinding lightning, and hurricane force winds. All of nature moves at God’s command, fulfilling His perfect plan, devised according to His perfect knowledge and wisdom, to advance His perfect purpose.
Next: (89) God's Sovereignty Over Nature - 2
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It’s an exceptionally beautiful day. The sun is shining brightly with a few puffy clouds in the sky. The temperature is just right and there’s a peaceful, gentle breeze blowing. You take a dep breath of fresh air, smile, look up at the sky and say, “Thank You Lord!” Why do you do that? Because you recognize that this beautiful day is a gift from God. You are affirming God’s sovereign control of the weather.
We delight in God’s grace and mercy in nature as we experience it in the sunshine and rain that cause the brilliantly colored and fragrant flowers to bud and the delicious fruits and vegetables to grow. We are thankful that nature moves along giving us joy, pleasure and provision, even when we don’t notice.
He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good,
and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
(Matthew 5:45 NAU)
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. . . . (28)See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. (29)Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
(Matthew 6:26-29)
Yes, God mercifully and graciously cares for His creation. The book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus Himself is the one who upholds all of creation by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3). Aren’t you grateful to know that God is in control of nature and nature is under control because He is God over nature?
But, what about when nature becomes threatening and fierce? What about when it rains on our picnic, or our garden wedding? What about when the flowers and fruit aren’t growing because of drought? What about when they are destroyed by storm or flood? What about when a city is virtually wiped out by a natural disaster? Do we still affirm God’s sovereign control and care of nature? Does God just send the sunshine and not the storm? What does scripture say about this?
O fire and hail, snow and clouds,
O stormy wind that carries out his orders.
(Psalm 148:8 NET)
For to the snow he says, 'Fall to earth,'
and to the torrential rains, 'Pour down.'
(Job 37:6 NET)
He causes the clouds to arise from the end of the earth,
makes lightning bolts accompany the rain,
and brings the wind out of his storehouses.
(Psalm 135:7 NET)
When he utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens,
and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth.
He makes lightning for the rain, and he brings forth the wind from his storehouses.
(Jeremiah 10:13 ESV)
He makes the winds his messengers,
and the flaming fire his attendant.
(Psalm 104:4 NET)
For He commands and raises the stormy wind,
which lifts up the waves of the sea.
(Psalm 107:25 NKJ)
God is not just sovereign over the pleasant weather that makes for a delightful picnic in the park or a day at the beach. He is also sovereign over the fierce storms of hail, snow, stormy winds, tumults of water, blinding lightning, and hurricane force winds. All of nature moves at God’s command, fulfilling His perfect plan, devised according to His perfect knowledge and wisdom, to advance His perfect purpose.
Next: (89) God's Sovereignty Over Nature - 2
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