Sovereignty???
Posted by James MacDonald on November 25, 2007 07:56 AM | Comments (12)Sovereignty has gotten a bad rap lately.
Let's say tragedy strikes--something big like what happened on September 11, 2001. Maybe someone you love is taken very suddenly or test results indicate you're the one scheduled for the early exit. Then before the impact of the tragedy has even gotten from your head to your heart some goody-two shoes, wanna-be theologian wraps their overly familiar arm around your shoulders. . .
. . . and whispers words intended to comfort, but instead they cut like a knife. You're told that, "God is sovereign--all that He allows is for a higher good." The implication is that you should swallow hard because in the end you'll realize that the torpedo that just blew a hole in the side of your boat was for your benefit.
I hate that! What's the devastated person supposed to think? If that's all I knew about God's sovereignty, then I would conclude, "God is good sometimes but He's cruel other times. I guess you just can't trust Him." And that is not true, but it will take me a bit to explain. Stick with me here.
Let's start with a foundational truth--God's sovereignty is scary sometimes, but only because it's so not like us. Sovereignty is all about being God. In our need for control, we want a God that's manageable. We reduce Him to some heavenly pal or celestial bellboy. We want to use the Lord like a rabbit's foot. Just whip Him out for a little rub every time we have a problem. In some twisted way, we think we're more secure when we've got God figured out. Sovereignty says, "no way!" There's no way you're going to figure out God. He's more than we might dare to imagine.
Here's another hard fact--when it comes to how He directs the people and events of history, God doesn't need our permission. Hate to tell you, but He's not going to bend down and explain why He's doing everything He chooses to do. With both the macro and the microscopic world under His constant control, God is able to do whatever He pleases whenever He wishes. Let's agree--God is way beyond our figuring out and that's not only ok. That's the way it needs to be. Can you imagine how small God would be if we could comprehend all that He allows and why? What if the smartest, wisest of all men ran the universe, can you imagine the cosmic mess we would be in? It only makes sense that an element of mystery surrounds God's person and His ways and as far as I can tell God is ok with our not totally getting Him :) "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law." Deuteronomy 29:29
james
Comments
Posted by: Lori Ridder | November 26, 2007 10:25 AM
Pastor - Thanks for the good word. Sometimes the hardest things to understand about God are ultimately the most comforting for me. It gives me unsurpassed peace in my soul to know that He is on His throne and I can trust that He's got it all under control. Praise Him for His faithfulness! Have a beautiful day in the Lord!
Posted by: Jeff Reed | November 26, 2007 04:15 PM
Pastor James - Thank you for teaching God's word straight up! I lost my Dad in 2000, and I can remember many well meaning christians interacting with my mom in this fashion. Even in my own moment of weakness, I told her that I knew how she feels. After listening to one of your messages on sympanthy/empathy I realized how wrong I was. I have not lost my spouse...I have no idea how that must have cut to her heart! Thank you for your solid teaching of God's word!
Posted by: myron | November 26, 2007 04:15 PM
Dear Pastor James, I agree that God is sooo beyond what I can understand. Is it heretical to try to reason out why God did this or that? Is it Gods precept to accept His Word without wondering why He did something in a peticular way? Isn't God the only hope for those in dispair or any condition for that matter? My favorite verse is Jer 33:3. I don't understand the comfort of saying "God is sovereign and we should not question life events, just accept it as Gods'will" Sorry so many ?'s
:>)
Posted by: Brad | November 27, 2007 09:14 AM
God's sovereignty has been like a polaroid picture in my life. Out of the dark black picture comes a masterpiece full of color and leaving me without a doubt that GOD IS IN CONTROL and he takes way better pictures than me. My Father died when I was a Senior in high school, My Mother died just 13 months later. God used those circumstances to bring me running to him. My parents missed, graduation, marriage, children, unexpected bible college graduation, but God has been here all along. Thanks
Posted by: Lynn Ehlert | November 27, 2007 09:38 AM
I feel so energetic after I listen to your radio show on WDLM(Moody). I am happily married and have 7 children and homeschool. There are days when I get frustrated. I can turn on Walk in the Word, and stop and listen-It makes a HUGE difference in my attitude. I teach my kids PMA-Positive Mental Attitude. When I get down I don't have close friends or family, so I go to listen to the words of God. Thank you for all that you teach and preach. I love the positive way you teach!!!
Posted by: Erik Erb | November 27, 2007 01:15 PM
Bullseye! I've been in many situations where I am pretty sure I was that person who "wraps their overly familiar arm around your shoulders - and whispers words intended to comfort, but instead they cut like a knife." Thankfully, it's all a process and I like to think I've learned from each instance.
Great post, PJ!
Posted by: Rich Behnke | November 27, 2007 04:25 PM
Thank you James for showing that God is not like us . So many have lost the vision of God as being beyond us and our complete understanding, they have lost the majesty of God and make him out to be small and human when he is not. He is high and Exalted and to make him appear any less is wrong.
Posted by: Cherie Hill | November 30, 2007 07:27 AM
This post brings me to John 6:28:"This is the work that God asks of you: that you BELIEVE in the One Whom He has sent [that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith] Shadrach, Meshach,and Abendego walked confidently into the furnace with faith in their God,declaring God was able to deliver them,BUT they also declared their continued faith IF HE DID NOT.
God's grace is sufficent in all things for all times.
All that is required is that we believe in Him. Thank you for this post Pastor!
Posted by: Anne Richardson | December 4, 2007 12:09 PM
I read somewhere recently that you don`t always have to say anything to be of comfort to people but just be there. A shoulder to cry on,
An arm to rely on,
A heart to sigh on,
Just be there.
After all God is!
Posted by: Rhonda Bollier | December 5, 2007 09:57 AM
Thank you so much for you very real words! Many people in my life are in the middle of Storms,they need my unconditional support! God has been teaching me lately- rhonda "fast" from so many things that keep your heart anxious and busy its then that I rest and rely on the His sovereignty work His will thru crying out in prayer!
Posted by: Ellen Bell | December 19, 2007 05:20 PM
I suspect that the very best way to comfort someone in grief is to be there crying with them, while avoiding attempts to put answers to the questions that often come with suffering. The ultimate answer is, of course, that we are fallen creatures living in a fallen world but that is cold comfort to someone who is suffering. We worship a God whose very nature is love and we are most like Him when we show that love to others despite our impulse to make ourselves feel better with facile answers.
Posted by: Bob Silas | January 26, 2008 12:15 PM
When we read the Bible or listen to it proclaimed, I just can't fathom that the Sovereign God has chosen to reveal himself to me. To realize that these are the very words and the heart of GOD that he wants me to know.-- To know Him -- In Exodus 33, the great patriock Moses was not able to look upon a Holy God -- yet in John 1:14 He sent His Son so that we could see Him. Could know Him. The soverign God who has compassion on us. Thank you for your faithfulness to minister the truth of God's word.