ROMANS 8:28-30 – And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
THEME OF THE DAY. THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY. First, let’s get this out of the way. I am not going to solve today’s nugget theme. Nor am I going to define the details of today’s nugget theme. The mystery of God’s sovereignty is well, a mystery. And as there are many things in the Christian life we cannot fully grasp, this is one of them. Also remember, there are many things God has not told us about Himself and His workings in the world which means “don’t go there” and trust His ways when we don’t understand His ways. Now that is out of the way, let’s move on . . .
If we were together over coffee and I asked, “What are the two most comforting doctrines or attributes of God that you cling to in tough times” what would you reply? When my turn to share came, I would answer, “The immutability of God and His sovereignty.” Those two – the unchanging nature of God and His complete control over everything – are the areas of comfort I try to run to when the storms of life are raging. The reasons are obvious. God is not like us. He doesn’t wake up in a bad mood and act accordingly. He doesn’t alter in His dealing with us like the wind or tides. He is unchanging in His love, mercy, and grace commitment to us, even as we are tossed to and fro by changing circumstances and moods.
The other doctrine offering us great comfort is His sovereignty. He is still on the throne and under the hand of His sovereignty, here are two things to encourage us to cling to this doctrine in the storms of life. First, His sovereignty ensures His purposes will be accomplished – The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands (Psalm 138:8). What God starts, God finishes. And that includes the work He is doing in us! Next, His sovereign purposes and ways are always good. Always. Let these words of Jeremiah sink into our hearts and minds to strengthen us when weak and tempted to worry about life – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Remember, God’s sovereignty is a mystery, but the end goal of its working out is not. It is for our good and conforming to Jesus. God doesn’t require us to understand His ways, but to trust them.
Yes, the mystery of God’s sovereignty. Be child-like and rest in it. It will truly be our shelter in times of storm.
PRAYER: “Father, please help me to not only profess I want to know You but prove my sincerity by diligent pursuit of knowing You.”
QUOTE: “To say, ‘I want to know the Lord’, yet give half-hearted effort to do so is both self-deception and hypocrisy.”