Trusting God: Chapter 4

Intro

This entire book covers the concept of God’s sovereignty.

His absolute authority and control over EVERYTHING.

The whole reason that we can trust God is because He is in control of everything.

If there is one little thing outside of our all-powerful, all-knowing God’s control, there is no way we can trust Him in anything.

But, He shows His faithfulness again and again in Scripture so that we can confidently trust Him.

Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at God’s sovereignty over various parts of our lives.

Today, we specifically look at God’s sovereignty over people.

Friends, family, rulers, shakers and movers, and you!

If we’re honest, this is one of the most difficult applications of God’s sovereignty that we face.

Situations, circumstances, weather, and more being under His sovereign control are easier for us to stomach than the hearts and minds of humanity.

So the question comes down to, are we at the mercy of our own whims and the whims of others, or do we submit to those areas being under His control as well?

How does God work through the lives and wills of humanity?

There were 2 major ways that Bridges brought to the table. What were they?

God prompts

God restrains

God Prompts

What example did Bridges give to describe how the Egyptians treated the Israelites upon their release from slavery?

You’ve been working for a cruel boss who treats you and pays you terribly.

You finally have a way out but you don’t have the savings to make this break in order to start a new life.

You go to your awful boss and ask him for funds to bridge the gap.

And he gives it to you!

Why did the Egyptians do this?

God had made them favorable towards the Israelites.

What’s important to see is that God did not twist their arm and make them act in a way that they did not desire to act.

It’s not like their minds were screaming “No!” while their bodies and voices were saying “Yes!”

If this were the case than we would all bear no responsibility for our actions and attitudes.

Something we know not to be true.

God intervened in their hearts, in their desires or wills, to make this happen for His people.

He prompts the hearts of others to carry out His will, whether they are believers or not.

The verse at the beginning of this chapter drives this home.

Psalm 21:1 “O Lord, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults!”

As modern Americans, with elected officials, the truth found here is a little out of our zone of comprehension.

We get some of it with laws being passed and budgets being spent, but there is so much freedom in how we conduct our affairs that was not necessarily the case for these ancient cultures.

In the day this was written, the king had absolute authority over every facet of those he ruled.

This is great when the king was godly, but could be pretty terrible when the king was not.

God not only prompts and leads hearts to do as He wills, He also restrains us and others from actions that could cause major harm!

God Restrains

What were some of the biblical examples given for God’s restraint?

Abimelech and Abraham (he didn’t sleep with Sarah)

This would have compromised and corrupted the promise that God had made to Abraham that a son would come from HIS line.

Abimelech would have had plenty of opportunity.

But God kept him from it.

Gathering the men of Israel.

3 times a year the boarders would be unguarded because God called everyone to gather and worship Him together.

This would have been prime time for plunder or invasion by the surrounding nations.

You’d think that they would observe the calendar and notice that the land seemed ripe for the picking at the same time every year.

But God kept them from it.

Not only did they not attack, they didn’t even desire to do so.

God’s Sovereignty and Our Response

So why does God not intervene every single time and turn evil back upon itself?

Why does He not prompt the heart of the perpetrator away from evil?

Why does He not restrain them by turning their desires away?

He does so to bring about His will, His plan, His glory, and His ultimate good.

What is that good? We’ve talked about it plenty.

To conform us into the likeness of Christ!

God’s glory shines all the brighter when He uses and turns difficult people and circumstances, evil that has come about, to His glory.

The things we have to hold in tension and understand to complement each other in the mystery of how God works are...

God is infinite and we are not.

God is never the author of sin. Because...

Scripture consistently shows mankind’s responsibility in making decisions that are in line with their own will and desires.

Conclusion

As we come to grips with God’s sovereignty there are several applications, as well as mistakes to avoid, that were helpful in our reading.

First, and maybe most readily applicable, we would all lead lives relieved of much stress if we pursued the Lord’s agenda over our own. (easier said than done. But it can be done!)

Don’t respond passively as the actions of others affect us.

Don’t allow this doctrine to make you apathetic or excusing of your own shortcomings.

You have no license to sin! (He holds everyone accountable in perfect justice)

Be prudent and responsible. Pursue Christ. Know God. Trust Him.

Let’s turn to discuss around our tables.