“I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” – Isaiah 46:10
“For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.”
– Romans 11:36
Over the years I have heard people talk about the sovereignty of God. One time at work I put money into a vending machine for cookies, or something. The machine took my money, turned the crank inside, but the cookies would not drop. A man in my office said to me, something like, “Well, don’t you believe in the Sovereignty of God?”
I absolutely do, but what exactly does that mean? God didn’t want me to have cookies! Maybe.
Sovereignty is defined as “absolute,” and “having unlimited power or authority.” It can mean “having independent authority and the right to govern itself,” as in a sovereign nation. (Merriam Webster) I have heard it said that God being sovereign means that He can do what He wants, when He wants and if He wants. He doesn’t need anyone’s permission to do anything.
And that is true. But only one thing can stop Him. Not all the power of the enemy. He’s already victorious over Satan and his demonic forces. They can’t stop Him. But our free will can. Really!?!?! Yes, really.
John 3:16, probably the most well-known scripture verse, says that God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son. He loved the world. That is everyone, everywhere, in all times. Jesus paid the ultimate price to save us. Does that mean everyone is saved? Hardly. Some people choose to follow Jesus, and some do not. God gave us all a free will. We have the right and ability – and dare I say the responsibility – to choose. When God gives a gift, He doesn’t take it away – even when we misuse it.
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Romans 11:29 ESV) The Message Bible words it this way. God’s gifts and God’s call are under full warranty – never canceled, never rescinded.
I believe the misuse and misunderstanding of the Sovereignty of God has hurt many people. I know a woman born with spina bifida who was told at a young age that God must have wanted her to have that condition. She is so angry at God, so closed off, that even saying grace before a meal is an affront to her. In a way, I can understand that. How could a Loving Father wish that on anyone! Another woman had a grandchild shaken by a babysitter. The young toddler died. To say that because God numbers our days, He must have wanted that to happen for some reason. I don’t believe that is true. God can bring wonderful blessings out of horrible circumstances, but that doesn’t mean he orchestrated – or planned – the evil, the pain, the death.
There are many things that happen in this world that are not what God wants. His Word says The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2Peter 3:9) The Lord wants NO ONE to perish, but people are perishing every day. Every single day people who have not accepted what Jesus did for them on the cross, people who have refused to bow their knee to the lordship of Jesus, are perishing, eternally. That is not what Father God or Jesus or Holy Spirit want, but they honor each person’s free-will choice. In this way, we are sovereign over our choices.
There is another way, I believe, where the sovereignty of God is taught incorrectly. I have heard it used as a kind of spiritual victimhood. Something bad happens and the reaction is “Oh well, must be God’s will. He is Sovereign.”
This is incorrect thinking because of the very nature of God.
- He is Good – always.
Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit (a great gift) to those who ask him! (Luke 11:11-13)
- He is Jehovah Rapha – the Lord Who Heals. He is not the God who gives sickness. In the Garden of Eden, before sin, there was no sickness.
- His Name El Shaddai – the Almighty, All-Sufficient God. Are there financial issues? Is there any kind of lack in our lives? Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, (Ephesians 3:20) The King James bible uses the words exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think. He is enough. He is our provider. Our loving Father.
So how is this view of sovereignty spiritual victimhood? Merriam-Webster defines a victim as “one that is injured, destroyed, or sacrificed under any of various conditions” or “one that is subjected to oppression, hardship, or mistreatment.” Bad things happen. We all know that. But sometimes we are not to just sit quietly and patiently endure. Sometimes we are to fight!
In John 10:10, we are told, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. There are two distinct truths here. First, the thief – Satan – wants to steal, kill and destroy. Secondly, Jesus came to bring abundant life. From this we can look at the circumstances of our lives and determine where they are coming from. Bad stuff – death, loss, destruction – comes from the enemy. Good stuff, life giving stuff, fullness-of-life stuff comes from God. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)
So, what would you do to someone attempting to rob your house, or hurt your family? You’d stop them, right!?! That’s why we are told in Ephesians 6 that we are waging a spiritual war. In a war, you fight! That’s why Jesus said to pray Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. What does that mean? It means that God wants things done His way here, just like in heaven. There’s no lying in heaven; no sickness in heaven; no lack in heaven; no chaos or fear in heaven, etc. We are to stand our ground and, like a policeman, enforce what God says against what the enemy is doing. We do this with the spiritual authority we’ve been given, speaking God’s truths into the situation, against the enemy’s plans and actions. That is the Sword of the Spirit Paul talks about in Ephesians. Our mouth + God’s Word. Our beautiful, powerful, effective sword. So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11 Amp)
We are not victims. WE ARE WARRIORS.
Our Father,
Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth
As it is in heaven.
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