In this series, we have already looked at God’s perfect peace, which we get because of God’s steadfast love. We also looked at how God’s love brings His sure promises. In this post, we will look at how we can have assurance in those promises through God’s ultimate sovereignty.

Control

“Are not two little sparrows sold for a copper coin? And yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.” Matthew 10:29

“‘It is He who changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and [greater] knowledge to those who have understanding!’” Daniel 2:21

When we come upon seasons of change, it can be easy to fall for the lie that God didn’t know it was happening. This verse in Matthew 10 shows that even a simple sparrow is not beneath God’s sovereignty. Countless sparrows die each day, and not one of them did so outside of God’s will. That should show the true scale of His sovereignty. If God has taken into account each lowly sparrow, who are we to claim He wouldn’t take into account every detail in our lives? This point is even more true when we consider that God is the one to bring change into our lives. Change is not a variable God has to adapt to, He already has a complete plan for good and allowed it to happen in the first place. Now, that does not mean change will always be easy, but our response does not have to be fear because we know that the loving and sovereign God is the one to send it.

Success

“The Lord of hosts has sworn [an oath], saying, “Just as I have intended, so it has certainly happened, and just as I have planned, so it will stand” Isaiah 14:24

“For the Lord of hosts has decided and planned, and who can annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?” Isaiah 14:27

When we learn that God’s plan is set in stone, it is important to know that it works. As Isaiah 14:24 teaches, what God intends, will happen. All that happens is a part of God’s intentions. No failure on our part or scheme of the devil will interfere with God’s magnificent plan. This point is so crucial that Isaiah repeats it just three verses later, when he writes that if God has decided and planned for His will to be carried out, who or what will stand in His way? His hand is over it all, and nothing can stop it. God has not brought His will this far only to abandon it now, He will continue to successfully carry out His will for the rest of eternity. Do not let the times when you doubted lead to the times when God made a way when you saw none. When those trying, change-filled, unsure times come around, have faith that the God who carried out His will throughout the Bible will carry out His meticulous plan for your life. His plans are under His sovereign control in which we can know for a fact that they will be carried out successfully.

Wisdom

“Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or has taught Him as His counselor?” Isaiah 40:13

“For by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [that is, by His activity] and for Him. And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [His is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.]” Colossians 1:16-17

When looking to God’s sovereignty, this is by far my favorite feature. God’s sovereignty is far beyond human thought. Isaiah 40 asks the question, who has directed the Spirit of God? Who has taught God a single thing? The answer is a resounding no. Furthermore, everything we know is because God allows it. There can be fear because of that, but there should also be comfort. The One who can’t be taught is the One teaching you everything you need to know. It can also deter you from the fear of not knowing enough. If you do not know all the ins and outs, it’s because you do not need to know them. You do not need to know the answers, but you can know the One who does. Change often brings the lie of uncertainty, but you can take comfort that in His sovereignty, God is sure to give you every step you need, whether that’s 10 steps ahead or as you take the last one. I say that but even as I am writing this I am thinking of areas in my life that have more uncertainty than I would like. I have faith God will carry me through, but it is so hard when I think I already have it figured out. Since the garden, man has been trying to order their own steps. Colossians clearly teaches how all things were created and sustained by God, it also shows how God alone is holding all things together. God is pulling together every bit of uncertainty into a great and beautiful tapestry. Every “should I pursue this?”, every “am I seeing clearly?”, every “what if?” and every “how, God?”—God weaves each uncertain decision into the masterpiece of His will. Remember, God is not new to His sovereignty. You don’t even need to look to the Bible, just look back on your life and you will see countless times when you were fully unaware, but God was planting seeds for blessings. The One who set the stars is perfectly setting every stepping stone in your life. The One who has carved out every mountain and valley is carrying you through the lifetime of terrain.