(February 28, 2016)
God is the Almighty, completely Sovereign Ruler & Authority over all Creation!
When God created the Earth, the heavens, and all that is in them, He found it in His own good pleasure (will) to create living beings with minds, physical attributes and wills’ that are completely their own.
These facts, founded in grace (Gods’ Blessing), do not by any means relinquish Gods’ plan(s) or purposes for His’ creation or the “beings” He has place within it.
In “Who is God (Part Two) we look into some of the foundational truths about Gods’ authority and sovereign position over all things.
It is a very human idea that since we cannot reconcile all of the events and elements within which we are living to our own understanding, that this means God is either not truly in control, or that His control is limited by some kind of separation between the physical domain and the spiritual realm; or even worse, this must be proof that God does not exist.
Nothing could be further from the truth! God is on a higher plain of existence than ourselves and His ways and means are beyond our human comprehension.
When we see ourselves as having sovereign authority, it is within the limits of our knowledge and ability; for
God these limitations do not exist.
Let us enter with an open mind and seek Biblically based answers with humble belief… this is precious in Gods’ sight!
1. God has stated clearly throughout the entire Holy Bible that he has an authority which is beyond the limits of human understanding. There is no person or thing that will change the plans which God intends to achieve. (Numbers 23: 19 & Psalm 139: 7 ~ 10) One of the most faith lifting evidences through which I have been blessed, is seeing Gods’ sovereign hand in history through the Biblical record. These accounts when studied faithfully reveal that God indeed conducts His “business” with and through mankind; He does this through events and circumstances which by human standards do not seem to lineup. Diligent review of these events shows clearly that not only does God work through the actions and plans of human beings; He does this with mastery, and He overrides the efforts of humans in order to bring about His own will. Many human maneuvers and plans are allowed (by God); after these have been played-out, God intervenes and the final result is exactly what God has intended from the beginning. The only subsequent changes for humans as brought about by these events are the costs affected in the lives of those who are involved in resistance against Gods’ will. Some who resist do so at great peril in their own lives, while others, after all is said and done, are the individuals who have been called according to Gods’ purpose and are in the end blessed… even despite themselves.
Note: These people are usually attributed with character traits such as; faith (belief), humility, selflessness, and obedience
2. Gods’ authority is directly inline with His own character and wisdom; human intellect cannot transcend Gods’ wisdom. (Psalm 115: 3 & Isaiah 14: 26 ~ 27) The Lord God has certain character traits which are never absent from His actions in our world and lives. Human obedience results in blessing and protection, our rebellion brings reprimand and consequences. God has desired a people for Himself throughout all of these events; and this is our greatest assurance from Him; that we have a place in His heart despite all of our efforts to be our own ultimate authorities. Many “godly” people make mistakes, and God is faithful to bring them through to a better conclusion (albeit, often with trials and difficulties). Many “ungodly” people make plans and efforts to exalt themselves which eventually leads them to failure. Gods’ merciful nature and loving kindness are a constant in the history of the earth and with mankind despite all of these things. Without the love and faithfulness of God we simply would cease to exist!
3. Gods’ sovereignty extends beyond the realm of time and His physical creation. (Psalm 90: 4 & 2 Peter 3: 8) This particular statement is so far out of our human grasp that it is the beginning of all kinds of unbelief and faithlessness. The dimension of time has no need to exist for an eternal being; therefore the time-frame of history that we are familiar with is only relevant where mortal beings are involved. The physical domain is the very fabric of Gods’ creation. This is yet another example of our limited ability to understand our position in Gods’ creation. He is a spirit being and exists in that spirit realm. The world as we know it is just a portion of that which exists and God has been, is, and continues to work-out His plans within all of the dimensions of existence. What amazing events must be happening outside the limits of our own awareness; Gods’ intensions for our benefit and even that of His creation.
4. Gods’ purposes (plans) are brought about with or without our cooperation. (Isaiah 55: 8 ~ 11) The lesson to be learned here is that no matter what plans or efforts we may make to further the advance of civilization, God has a better plan; the very things we do to achieve our goals actually play into Gods’ plans in every way. Indeed the prince of darkness (Satan) himself cannot cause an event or action to occur that will change one single thing that Jehovah God has willed to come about. This last statement is perhaps the most profound truth we can offer about Gods’ authority over all things. God is able to allow for actions and initiatives from a created being who is completely dedicated to undermining and destroying all that God has made, and yet Gods’ will not only prevails; it is achieved at the highest level of intention which is possible. These are the objectives of a sovereign God.
A most wonderful and amazing aspect of all of this is that God has willed these things to come about for the purpose of saving us from ourselves. Human kind has been seeking self glorification to our own harm from the very beginning. After we; His creation and possession have conducted ourselves with completely selfish abandon, God remains faithful and this at great cost to Himself.
God does not take pleasure in seeing our sufferings.
If we step back and consider our own children or community and nation(s) and think about all of the nasty and evil which has been done in the earth; would we then continue to desire what lies before our eyes?
God remains faithfully seeking our advantage despite our efforts to rebel against Him.
We have been created, preserved, and planned for in Gods kingdom strictly because He wants it this way.
Many could ask the question; do these things mean that God is a “micro-manager”? Is He manipulating and controlling every little detail?
The Biblical teaching accounts for Gods’ involvement in our world through many events that end with Gods’ will successfully prevailing. This however is not a complete explanation of how the Lord achieves His objectives. Human interactions within this world can have an independent directive and become manifest in the historical record without having a direct impact on Gods’ plan. I can make a decision that is my own initiative which does not effect what God wants to achieve.
It is important to understand that God is not restricted to initiatives that are like those of human beings.
We may never know the extent of how God has conducted His business within creation.
I am confident that there is more to this than meets the eye!
Only a truly sovereign God is capable of a love and enduring (“long-suffering”) patience with such a rebellious and contrary people.
It is my hope that others will join me in reverent and humble acclamation; “God is in control all of the time.”
Praise, Glory & Honor be to our God!
We will further explore these truths in “Who is God? (Part Three)”