The fact that Psalm 115:3 says, God “does whatever He pleases” often causes to view God as arbitrary or selfish. However, we must understand that this verse is couched in the attributes of God, and the knowledge that God will never do anything contrary to His nature. With that in mind, we are reminded by this passage and others like it that on one hand, no one can act and no circumstances can occur outside the bounds of God’s sovereign will. And on the other hand, No one can frustrate His plans or hinder his purposes. God doing as He desires is a statement of comfort to those who trust in Him, because we are brought to an understanding that God not only has the right to do what He wants, and the desire to accomplish His plan, but He also has the ability to carry that plan out. No one, nor no thing can keep God from accomplishing His plan for His creation. Everything that we do and experience is all apart of kingdom living. Isaiah 46:10 reminds us that God has said, “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,” This counsel was established before … READ MORE

One of our problems with the sovereignty of God is that it frequently does not appear that God is in control of the circumstances of our lives. It is difficult to see God working through secondary causes and frail, sinful human beings. Yet, to believe in the sovereignty of God when we do not see His direct intervention is even more important because that is the way God usually works. While God’s sovereignty is not always apparent, He continues to work providentially in the lives of all His creation. Much of the Old Testament narratives are given to us to see the mighty hand of God in the events of history. Paul writes in Romans 15:4, “For whatever things were written before [Old Testament Scriptures] were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (comment mine). We need to review the Old Testament Historical narratives with an eye to the plan and purposes of God, viewing how He worked in the lives of the nation, and remember that He says in Malachi 3:6, “I am the LORD, I change not!” This is how we can give thanks to God for all … READ MORE

God’s direction in our lives precedes our births. He permits, for reasons known only to Himself, people to act contrary to His sovereign will. Our understanding of the truth that God is in control of all things, and will directly affect our ability to live in contentment in our lives. We could explore many passages that remind of of this (Proverbs 16:9 Ecclesiastes 7:13; Lamentations 3:37; James 4:13-15; Revelation 3:7), consider Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will be established.” We must understand that we make plans, but those plans an only succeed when they are consistent with God’s purpose – no plan can succeed against Him. What an encouragement, to know that no one or no thing can execute their malicious plan unless God has first decreed it. God is in control, but ion His control, He allows us to experience pain, and that pin is very real. Yet, in the midst of our suffering we must believe and accept that God is in control, and He has a good purpose in those events. Remember nothing is so small or trivial as to escape … READ MORE