(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.

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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