Sovereignty | Daily Devotional
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Jude 24–25
God’s Sovereignty
I’ve always connected the word sovereignty with a picture of a king, one ruling from an opulent throne room, complete with servants, advisors, and maybe even a magician in a long robe. While the leftovers of a young boy’s imagination, this picture describes sovereignty fairly well. Sovereignty designates one’s power and right over people, possessions, and land.
But rule, power, and legal rights over others can often bring social tension. The national events of the past week have challenged the idea of national sovereignty. The events have personally challenged my faith walk. While standing against inhumane treatment and the taking of life should always be confronted, we must, as Christ-followers, seek to understand sovereignty in light of God’s Word.
Job confesses, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2). On this verse, John Piper writes that God, “…has the right and power to do all that he decides to do.” God is in control over all. He is sovereign because He is the creator of all. God asks Job, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” (Job 38:4) In counseling Job, God establishes His sovereignty. As the creator, sustainer, and provider, God is perfectly wise and purposeful in His sovereignty.
How Does This Play Out Daily?
Our long-term vision of God’s sovereignty is poor. It is easy to trust God on Sunday when commitment is high. But what about when Monday troubles arrive? Remember the betrayal of Joseph by his brothers recorded in Genesis 37? Joseph’s jealous brothers exposed their hatred in plotting to kill Joseph. They ultimately sold him into life-long slavery after first abandoning him in a pit to perish like discarded rubbish. They exercised immoral rule and power. But, in Genesis 45 and 50, Joseph explains that, in God’s sovereignty, he was sent ahead for “good,” to save the Israelites from starvation. Even in the midst of our sinful actions and attitudes, God’s wisdom and purposeful plan will prevail.
Application: Remember the King
Back to the throne room…Isaiah describes, “I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple” (Isa 6:1). John records, “…a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald” (Rev 4:2-3). Remember, despite the troubles and struggles, King Jesus is on His sovereign throne. As the incarnate God in flesh, Jesus taught us to pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on Earth, as it is in Heaven…” (Matt 6:10). If Jesus can pray that, then we should willfully pray that submission prayer daily…and then act like we believe it!
Prayer
Lord, I pray for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, that they would seek the goodness in all, they would seek to bring goodness to every situation. I pray that we, as a church, would focus on reconciliation with our neighbors, seeking to bring them to ultimate reconciliation with you. I pray that we would see life through your eyes and not through our limited vision of the immediate pain and sorrow. I ask for comfort and peace for those who mourn, for those in distress, and for those suffering. I pray for wisdom, righteousness, and truth among our community, local, and national leaders.