I believe God is sovereign. What does that mean? To mean, it has to do with His being all-powerful. It has to do with His control of all things. However, I don't see Him as micro-managing so much as orchestrating/conducting. I do believe He gives us free choice. He does not force us to love Him. A recent study through the book of Romans brought me to look more closely at chapters 9-11 of that epistle. These chapters can be difficult for folks who believe in freedom of choice, and provide lots of evidence for those who believe in predestination - God hardens the heart of some, chooses or calls others. In the greater context of all of the book of Romans, and all of Paul's writings, and scripture as a whole. One finds evidence for both views. Paul's position is apparently one of just being comfortable with the fact that God knows what He's doing, and if it seems unfair to us, that's no big deal. I believe an honest, unprejudiced study will leave one saying there is free choice, and there is a plan. And if I don't fully understand at times how both can co-exist, that's okay; He's God and I'm not.
That being said, God's sovereignty is the basis for our faith and our rest. He is here. He is alive and well and living among us. All good comes from Him. He is in control of all things. He doesn't cause bad things to happen to us, but if He's sovereign, He must allow it. Faith and rest come as we realize He would not allow anything He could not use for our good.
The early church recognized this. When Peter and John were arrested, then released from prison and returned to their fellow Christians, they reported what the priests and elders had told them. The church responded with a prayer. The prayer (Acts 4:24-30) begins with praise, a reference to a prophecy in Psalms 2:1-2, and continues with an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty declaring that the human instruments of Jesus' crucifixion - Herod, Pilate, the Gentiles and the people of Israel - were gathered for that purpose by the hand and purpose of God. With the sovereignty of God as their basis for praying, they make their request that God continue to work through them, and that He be aware of those who oppose them, and give them confidence to continue to speak His word.
There are two lessons here. First, God is sovereign. What happened to Christ, even to the gathering together of those human instruments needed to make it happen, was God's predetermined plan. Second, we can pray with more confidence when we know that God really is in control, carrying out His will for the redemption of man, and including the events of our lives in the redemption process.
God does have a plan. He does have a will. He is going to see that His plan and His will come to pass. He is faithful. "'They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you,' declares the Lord" (Jeremiah 1:19). "God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:9). Let these verses and other on God's faithfulness encourage you when the storms of life begin to blow. If you really believe He is faithful, it will be a source of comfort to you, a foundation for rest and courage.
We'll look at God's sovereignty and faithfulness in more detail over the next few days. Hope you're blessed by it and tell others to tune in as well.
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