Week Seven - Day Three: Sovereign

Interesting ...

At the exact time of this writing, I’m doing my own personal devotions in Isaiah. This morning I read chapter 14. Isaiah is bringing some serious energy to the nations surrounding Judah. Let’s just say God isn’t happy. And this is not a good thing.

As the largest and most aggressive power of the day, Babylon receives the most attention. But listen to what he says to Assyria in verses 24 through 27.

(24) The LORD Almighty has sworn,
      “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be,
      and as I have purposed, so it will happen.

(25) I will crush the Assyrian in my land;
      on my mountains I will trample him down.
      His yoke will be taken from my people,
      and his burden removed from their shoulders.”

(26) This is the plan determined for the whole world;
      this is the hand stretched out over all nations.

(27) For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him?
      His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?”

I’m reminded of the old joke about the lion in the zoo. What does the lion do? The answer is anything he wants to do.

If I may speak personally for a minute, I have to talk about how crucial coming to terms with this aspect of God’s being has been for my own spiritual development. I say “coming to terms with” because the extent and ramifications of God’s sovereignty simply did not occur to me early in my spiritual journey. It was unconsidered. Whenever I thought about my connection with God, I always began with myself – how was I feeling about it? What was it doing for me? How effectively was I choosing to connect with Him or not?

In one of his letters to another scholar who opposed his views, Martin Luther said, “Your God is too human.” I’m afraid my God was too human ... and too small. He was just like me only much more powerful. He knew things just like I know things only more of them and all at once. I thought He had plans just like I have plans; and sometimes those plans are disappointed. After all, my plans certainly are sometimes.

I had not really “come to terms” with the Sovereign Lord of the universe. I did not understand that what He has purposed no one can thwart. I did not realize that “All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: ‘What have You done!’” (Daniel 4:35) I did not consider that “In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.” (Ephesians 1:11)

Wait ... what? He works out what?

Well ... everything ... in conformity with the purpose of His will!

Isn’t Paul overstating to make a point? He can’t mean everything? What about my plans, for example? He can’t be working things out through my plans. He has to be waiting on my plans – waiting to see what I will do and then, because He’s God and He can do everything, He still makes it work out according to His purposes no matter what I do or don’t do, right? Hang onto your hats here. We’re going to have to say more about this next week, but let’s let God’s faithful and wise witness, Solomon, speak to this as clearly as we can without editorializing.

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

“A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?” (Proverbs 20:24)

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases.” (Proverbs 21:1)

Are you beginning to taste why this concept has been tricky for people over the centuries? We will step into that difficulty and trickiness next week. We may not be fully satisfied, but we will take an honest look.

But for now, let’s begin by acknowledging that such a God commands my surrender. I have no alternative but to bow before such a God and give up the direction of my own life to Him. I can work in concert with the author and director of the universe or I can try it my own way. Good luck with that second option.

Before You Start Your Day

1. Let’s consider Job. Have you heard of Job? Things in his life started to go very, very badly. And when I say things I mean pretty much everything. He has some very hard questions to ask God which, when taken together, can be summarized with “Why God?” God answers Job by pointing out that He, God, is sovereign and that He, God, created everything ... that Job isn’t and that Job didn’t. Let’s launch our day with Job’s answer.

   Job 42:2-6

   “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

   (3) You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. (4) “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ (5) My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. (6) Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”

2. Spend some time in prayer acknowledging God’s power, His greatness, His goodness and His sovereignty.