- When we talk about the sovereignty of God, we’re essentially asking, “Is God in control?”
Answer: God created everything and everyone, therefore EVERYTHING in heaven and earth is His. Psalm 135:6 says: “The Lord does whatever pleases Him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths.” God continuously sustains or holds together that which He created, literally preventing the universe from blowing apart. He is fully aware of all that occurs. Nothing escapes His eye, not even a little sparrow that falls to the ground (Matt 10:29).
- Since God is in control, do I have any freedom?
Being made in the image of God includes (among other things) the ability to create and to make decisions. God in His sovereignty allows people to reject Him even though He desires their ultimate good. In same way that Jesus, though fully God, voluntarily chose to lay aside some of His divine privileges, so God chooses to limit Himself by giving us humans the freedom and ability to make choices.
Those choices, however, have consequences. If we choose to jump off a high tower, we will be bound to the law of gravity. God warns us that in this life we will reap what we sow. In the next life we will face the judgment. We will have to give an account for the decisions we made in life, especially what we decided about Christ and His offer of salvation through faith in Him.
- Does my life have purpose?
Yes. God has chosen to involve us in His kingdom work. Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and YOU WILL BE my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). Jesus also said in Matt 28:19: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
In the same way that a potter makes pottery for a purpose, God gives us different abilities for a purpose. He loves us all the same, but He has given us different abilities and giftings to accomplish the purpose He has called each of each of us to fulfill.
- Do my prayers matter?
Yes! In Ezekiel 36 God makes several promises to the nation of Israel and says, “I, the Lord, have spoken and will do it” (v.36, NASB). Clearly, this is God’s will. In the next verse He adds, “This also I will let the house of Israel ASK ME to do for them.”
God in effect is saying, “My will is to do these things, but NOT until you exercise prayer and ask Me.” The same principle is found in James 4:2, “You do not have (why?) because you do not ask.” God wants to involve you in His Kingdom work through prayer.
Your prayers (just like your service to God) make a difference even if you see no evidence today. Believe and know that the prayer of a righteous person changes things. If God does not give you what you ask, it may be because you ask amiss. The more you know God and His written Word the more your prayers will be in sync with His will and purposes.
God is pleased when we humble ourselves, acknowledge our need of Him and come to Him in prayer. If God says ‘no’ or ‘wait’ instead of YES, we can find peace in knowing that God has our best interest at heart and (based on Rom 8:28) is working out all things for our ultimate good and His ultimate glory.