It is impossible for the finite mind to fully comprehend God’s involvement in the affairs of men.
Consider that the majority of the Bible is not just history, but history written before it actually happens. God always announced in advance what His future actions would be by stating ‘I will.’
“…For I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure…’ Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11
Such absolute sovereignty applies both to individuals as well as nations.
King Solomon addressed God’s absolute sovereignty in all things.
“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” Proverbs 16:33
The question arises, i.e. who has God picked for president in the upcoming election?
“A man’s steps are of the LORD; how then can a man understand his own way?” Proverbs 20:24
Many men have established plans and goals for their lives only to discover later that their lives don’t in the least resemble those plans.
“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Proverbs 21:1
King Solomon himself experienced God’s sovereignty when he departed from the LORD by taking foreign wives who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods. God announced that Solomon would lose his kingship.
“Now the LORD raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite…” 1 Kings 11:14
This verse is taken from the NKJV while the KJV used the word ‘stirred’ instead of ‘raised.’
Many times in the Scriptures it is stated that ‘God stirred the heart of…’ in order for the one stirred to fulfill God’s purpose. We’ll also see that concept in the New Testament.
Another great example of God’s sovereignty relative to the nation of Israel is found in Isaiah. Recall that God used nations such as Assyria to chastise Israel when they disobeyed.
“Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger and the staff in whose hand is My indignation. I will send him against an ungodly nation (Israel), and against the people of My wrath I will give him charge…yet he does not mean so, nor does his heart think so…”Isaiah 10:5-7
God declares that Assyria is in the palm of His hand to be used against Israel, although the king of Assyria is not aware of the fact that he is being used. And even though God directed Assyria, He will also punish them for their actions.
“Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Lord has performed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, that He will say, ‘I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria…’ For he says: ‘by the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom…’” Isaiah 10:12-13
And even though God had orchestrated Assyria’s actions, they will still be held accountable because of their haughtiness, thinking they had acted in their own power and wisdom.
Let’s examine briefly God’s sovereignty relative to Christians in the church age.
Jesus said:
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:44
The Greek word for ‘draws’ has a profound synonym, i.e. ‘stirs.’
People who seek God do so only after God stirred their hearts. Just like the king of Assyria, a person believes they have exercised their own free will. And so it is.
Paul also explained that God’s sovereignty in the Christian’s life is responsible for actions that promote the kingdom of heaven.
“…for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13
Therefore, God’s sovereignty is supreme in all things. No one can boast of anything.
God’s intervention is totally compatible with man’s free will.
We will expand on the doctrine of God’s incomprehensible sovereignty in the next several weeks.
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