Tag: god’s sovereignty

Psalm 2

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            Our view of God determines how we live.  If our perception of God is that he is small and ineffective, or does not really see or care about everything that happens on earth, then the response of the nations in Psalm 2 is likely:  “The kings of this earth have all joined together to turn against the LORD and his chosen one.  They say, ‘Let’s cut the ropes and set ourselves free!’”  But if we rightly discern that God is far larger than we can ever imagine and sees all, then we know that “in heaven the LORD laughs as he sits on his throne, making fun of the nations.”  Any group of people who think they can distance themselves from the God of the universe are, at best, delusional, and, at worst, in danger of being swept away like an ant hill.
 
            God blesses and protects everyone who runs to him.  So, we are to be smart and show respect.  The fact of the matter is that God is bigger than anyone or anything.  That is good news for those who serve God and bad news for those who don’t.  The fact of the matter is that nothing can separate God’s people from his love; no nation has more power than God; and, no organization, institution, or government can continue unabated in their unethical ways. 
 
            So, when we face adversity, hardship, and difficulty we have a very large God who has our back.  It might seem in the short term that evil is winning and arrogant people are having their day, but ultimately God is going to deal with it.  Jesus is king, and we are not.
 

 

            Immense God, you are sovereign above all creation and everything in the earth.  I choose this day to submit to the words and ways of Jesus, who is the true ruler of all.  May all the nations come to see you for who you really are: the great and wondrous king.  Amen.

Psalm 67

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment


            One of the beauties of daily sustained reading and reflection upon the lectionary Scriptures is that a psalm is read each day.  Over time the reader becomes quite familiar with the range of emotions, life situations, and theology of the psalter.  This is a very good thing.  In an era when so many believers are “too busy” for daily prayer and connection with God, the psalms are the church’s prayer book.  That means the psalms are accessible for many Christians via their smart phones, tablets, and computers.  Add the voice function to the mix and the believer could pray along with particular psalms.
             An advantage to becoming conversant in the psalms is the ability to use them for all kinds of situations.  Today’s psalm meets a particular need for prayer in the American election cycle.  Just say the word “politics” and many people get a visceral response before there is even a discussion about it.  Feelings and opinions run high.  Negativity is rampant.  But Psalm 67 offers a path of blessing the nations and inviting God to work his grace among us.  Rather than become mucked in worry or despair over present circumstances and the unknown future, the psalmist orients our minds, hearts, and voices toward the sovereign God.
             The psalms are meant to be used – repeatedly.  One cannot overuse them.  Try this:  today set your phone, watch, or other device to alarm at two or three hour intervals.  Whatever you are doing (if you are able), stop and pray Psalm 67.  It will take less than a minute.  Let the positive approach to blessing others and seeing God’s control shape how you go about the rest of your day.  Who knows?  Maybe the psalter will eventually alter how you view the world.
             Loving God, be gracious to us and bless us and make your face to shine upon us so that your way may be known upon earth, and your saving power among all nations; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Isaiah 43:8-15

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment


            I am an unabashed Calvinist – a Reformed theologian and pastor.  I believe in God’s unconditional election of persons to salvation and new life.  Maybe that means nothing to you, and to others it means everything.  For many, it is just some churchy mumbo-jumbo that is rather irrelevant to the real stuff of the Christian life.  But it is quite important.  The heart of Reformation faith is a focus on God – his sovereignty, majesty, power, and grace.  It is God who justifies, and not any human.  That means there are no “conditions” to which God is beholden to act.  In other words, God works in his world according to his own free will and is not dependent upon anyone or anything to accomplish his good purposes.
             Today’s Old Testament lesson is a soaring view of God in his grace and powerful control.  “Yes, from eternity I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I act and who can cancel it?”  God’s rhetorical question lets us know that nothing can separate us from the love of God.  We might jump from finger to finger in our puny attempts at autonomy, but we are not getting out of God’s hand!  This really ought to be a comfort to every believer.  God’s decrees will be fulfilled, and there is not one thing that any wicked person can do to thwart his plans.  Furthermore, there is absolutely no way we can screw-up God’s purposes.  We simply do not have such power.  Our great task as believers is to rest secure in God’s will and place our trust in Him who knows exactly what he is doing in the world.
             So, take a few minutes, draw a few deep breaths, and think on this wonderful truth that God is sovereign.  To help you, here is the great opening to the Reformed confession, The Heidelberg Catechism, giving us a glimpse into the majesty of God:
What is your only comfort in life and in death?
That I am not my own,
but belong with body and soul,
both in life and in death,
to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.
He has fully paid for all my sins
with his precious blood,
and has set me free
from all the power of the devil.
He also preserves me in such a way
that without the will of my heavenly Father
not a hair can fall from my head;
indeed, all things must work together
for my salvation.
Therefore, by his Holy Spirit
he also assures me
of eternal life
and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready
from now on to live for him.

Psalm 37:12-22

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            Perspective is everything.  When an ornery cuss swears at us, a group of people think the worst of us, or an organization takes advantage of us, not to mention wars, poverty, human trafficking, and a host of victimization around the globe in which evil seems to be winning, we might feel like crumbling under the weight of evil in the world.  But when we add God to the mix, it changes everything.
 
            The vantage of the psalmist is that all this malevolent plotting that exists can’t even begin to stand up to the large sovereignty of God.  “The Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.”  It is almost as if we get the picture of some puny bugs on the ground making nefarious plans, completely oblivious to the hugeness of God that towers over them.  They are about to be squished but are too busy going about their puny business to look up and see what is coming.  The bugs are totally powerless in the face of such an awesome presence.
 
            We as human beings become much too discouraged far too easily.  The remedy is to be filled with a robust theology that discerns God as far above all our problems and situations.  No matter how ominous the machinations of sin array against us, the believer is assured that God is in control and that, in the end, the wicked will get their comeuppance.  No earthly power, no clever person, and no human organization can ever go toe to toe with the gargantuan God we serve.  Put all your circumstances beside this God and see if it changes your perspective.
            Mighty God, you bless those who are dedicated to you, and you put down those who rage against you.  Fortify my spirit and let me see just the train of your robe, and I will glimpse the large grandeur of your glory.  Let me know Jesus Christ risen and ascended far above all principalities and powers of this earth.  Amen.