Sunday, March 16, 2008

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

Thoughts on the sovereignty of God have been mulling around in my head for days. You know how something will settle in your mind and you just keep thinking and pondering on it and it just keeps popping up again and again.

Sovereign: 1) above all others; chief; supreme. 2) supreme in power, rank, etc. 3) independent of all others.

Now I doubt if there are very many who read my blog who do not believe in God as The supreme, chief, above all other God. Supreme in power and rank and independent of all others. But what does that really mean? What does it mean to my life? How do I fit this Sovereign God, who I believe in, into every aspect of my day.

I'm afraid too many see Him, and believe in Him, as this supreme, powerful personage but what does that mean to them and to their life? Kind of like we believe that The President of the United States is powerful, or the Queen of England, etc. But, it doesn't really have much to do with our everyday life or thinking as we go about our daily business. We do our thing and sort of fit God in on occasion and as needed.

What the sovereignty of God really means is that NOTHING happens to me, or in my life, that takes God by surprise because it all revolves around Him. This sovereign God who has numbered the very hairs on my head (Matt 10:30 & Luke 12:7); who knows my goings (Proverbs 20:24). This sovereign God who "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not, yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure." Isaiah 46:10


I have just shared the following in e-mails to two blog friends who are dealing with situations in their lives. One to do with illness and the other with a job situation. Totally unrelated issues and yet I could tell them each the same thing because it fits anything and EVERY thing we might be facing at any given moment.


I've been thinking a LOT lately about the sovereignty of God. There are things you and I know for sure. 1) God does not bring illness 2) God works ALL things together for good to those who are called according to His purposes 3) God will never leave us or forsake us 4) God is not a God that He should lie.. In times like this we have to lean on and rely on God's promises and what we know to be TRUE in the face of whatever we see or feel.

The greatest gift is salvation, God is bringing us to Himself and He is conforming us into the image of Jesus. What that takes and how that works out in our individual lives is in His sovereign will.

I know you've heard the example of the beautiful tapestry that God is weaving and yet we look at the back side and all we see is a tangled mess of strings going every which way with no beauty or design that WE can see. I cannot tell you how much I have been thinking about all this the past week or so. In fact, Mickey and I had a long talk about it just yesterday morning.

We KNOW in whom we have believed and we are persuaded!!!!!!!!

That really does sum it up for me.....

I KNOW and I am Persuaded that God is sovereign in my life.

How about you?

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16 comments:

Jean said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you once again, Susan. You are such an inspiration to me. You stir up my faith.

Susan Skitt said...

Amen Susan, I've been dwelling on that this past week too. Wonderful words, no matter what, we know that God's counsel stands and that He will guide us in His perfect ways as we trust in Him!

Anonymous said...

We live in a world here in America at least where people like to fit God into a box that meets their needs and fits into their life style.

Oh, what a scary thought!

God is God and there is none other like Him. His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than ours.

I take refuge and comfort in KNOWING who my redeemer is how he has total control of my life. That's real PEACE!

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

That is much food for thought. It always makes me sad to hear people blame God for illness or other things. He does not desire to cause us harm it is just the natural order of things in this old world of ours. My older brother can not be made to see that God does not cause the bad things of this world. For this reason he refuses the gift of salvation and it breaks my heart but I will keep praying for him!

Mary@notbefore7 said...

Loved this Susan!

Have you ever read, "when life and beliefs collide" I think it is by Carolyn James Custis. It is So good! This topic is hit hard right at the beginning.

we can not throw off His plans for our lives by our own sin.(Rahab) Others can not throw off His plans and purposes for our lives. (Joseph) Satan can not either. (Job)

God is Soverign in ALL THINGS!

Susan said...

Yes ma'am! God is sovereign.

Susan

Dawn said...

I often think about the sovereignty of God. And the illustration of the tapestry is one that I also think of often. I am so thankful that God is working out the picture!

... said...

what a beautiful picture you've painted of a most sovereign God. i know His plan for my life is perfect and that is a comfort to me when i'm in the midst of struggles. thanks for the encouragement.

Maalie said...

>The President of the United States is powerful, or the Queen of England

LOL! I don't think Her Majesty wields much power in these times. It is all delegated to Parliament.

As far as I can see, how you regard God's sovereignty seems to depend on whether you are a Calvinist. Arminian, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Congregationalist reformed or unreformed, Catholic, protestant and so on and so on.

I feel sure God is having a good chuckle at the way He has contrived so much divisiveness in his own name, especially when opposing armies on the same battlefield are praying to Him for a just and Holy victory.

Sharon said...

Thank you for your beautiful post and you really do have a way of uplifting me in my faith with your words.
Thank you so much.
I agree with all of the other comments that are left for you.
GOD Bless you all.

groovyoldlady said...

Amen and Amen.

God IS in control - and He is good.

Anonymous said...

Great post Susan. I just popped over from Diana's and hope Mickey can help you remember the prayer said when ballooning. I would like to see it.

Sorry you are awake at such early hours of the morning. Is it intentional or insomnia? I try to sleep before midnight, but no matter what time I lay down, I still see the day end and the new one begin. Sometimes I see an hour or two beyond as well.

I am a night person but would love to be able to sleep earlier and wake earlier. Guess I'll take what I have now, since it is better than the little to no sleep with my last two babies! ;)

Momma Roar said...

This is one of those things I still feel like I'm at the beginning of grasping and I do love the picture of the tapestry!!

Thank you for this post and for continuing to lead me into deeper understanding of our Sovereign God!

michelle said...

Excellent post! SOOOO good, so right on...You go Girl! :-)

Unknown said...

Amen to all that you have said, God is God & that is that!!!!

The Olson's: said...

Amen! I love the illustration of the tapestry.
~ Leanne