Graceful Truth

GODS SOVEREIGNTY OVER NATIONS (AND US)

November 14, 2023

GODS SOVEREIGNTY OVER NATIONS (AND US)

 
 
We think we’re very big, but in reality, we are still the creatures, and God is the Creator. When we forget that is when the trouble begins.
 
ISAIAH’S PROPHECIES
… highlight God's rule again and again. Whole nations rise up, ignore God, and think they can do whatever they want. God gives freedom of choice, but He also has purposes for every person and every nation. And God can take nations and kings and “move them wherever He wills,” as Proverbs 21:1 says.
 
Notice Isaiah’s prophecy regarding Egypt.
 
In that day the Egyptians will become like women, and they will tremble and be in dread because of the waving of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which He is going to wave over them. The land of Judah will become a terror to Egypt; everyone to whom it is mentioned will be in dread of it because of the purpose of the LORD of hosts which He is purposing against them. (Isaiah 19:16-17)
 
God has “purposes,” and man’s striving cannot abort those when He decides to change the course of nations and accomplish His will.
 
THE APPLICATION
How should we respond to God’s sovereignty?
 
• GIVE THANKS … for His will is always “good, acceptable, and perfect.” We should embrace His sovereignty knowing that He is always perfect in His judgments and work.
 
• SEEK TO UNDERSTAND HIS WAYS. David asked that of the Lord so that he might know Him and worship Him better. Also, if we understand what God is doing in His sovereignty, we can help others and give the world a right opinion of God.
 
• COOPERATE WITH HIM. We don’t want to be at cross-purposes with the ways of God.
 
• TRUST HIM. When we don’t understand what’s happening, we can still trust Him.
 
Spurgeon said, “God is too good to be unkind and too wise to be mistaken. When we cannot trust His hand, we can always trust His heart.”
 


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