Getting Job-ed
When we’re talking about who God is, His name is His essence, meaning, His name defines Him. We saw that with the name YAHWEH: His name is a verb, a causing something to happen (causing Himself to be, actually). Now we need to talk about the power of God.
There are going to be some hefty theology terms thrown around here, but when you see “Sovereignty” think God’s all-powerful control over all things, and His right to conduct Himself as He pleases. When you see “Providence,” think sovereignty and all that entails, but His wisdom in doing that. John Piper put it amazingly in that Providence is God’s purposeful sovereignty. So what’s that mean? That means that not only does God have the right and power to do anything that He pleases, He has the wisdom to see to that all that happens/occurs fits into the beautiful mosaic we call God’s will (Many theological terms have been given to this before- I like to call it the “Macro Will of God”). This always pulls up the question about free will, and we will get to that eventually…
“Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent…”
In this part, I wanted us to focus on some amazing texts that show God’s all-powerful control that He has (really chew on each one, there’s sooo much!):
The LORD has prepared everything for his purpose- even the wicked for the day of disaster. Proverbs 16:4 CSB
A person’s heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9 CSB
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. Proverbs 16:33 CSB
Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and no one is like me. I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: my plan will take place, and I will do all my will. Isaiah 46:9-10 CSB
I will delay my anger for the sake of my name, and I will restrain myself for your benefit, and for my praise, so that you will not be destroyed. Look, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. I will act for my own sake, indeed, my own, for how can I be defiled? I will not give my glory to another. Isaiah 48:9-11 CSB
Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. But even the hairs of your head have all be counted. Matthew 10:29-30 CSB
Though he was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge you used lawless people to nail him to a cross and kill him. Acts 2:23 CSB
For He tells Moses, “I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” So then, it does not depend on human will or effort but on God who shows mercy. Romans 9:15-16 CSB
For the Scripture tells Pharaoh, “I raised you up for this reason so that I may display my power in you and that my name may be proclaimed in the whole earth.” So then, he has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy and he hardens whom he wants to harden. Romans 9:17-18 CSB
In Him (Jesus) we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the Counsel of His will… Ephesian 1:11 CSB and Greek Interlinear
For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17 CSB
“God’s Sovereignty is undeniable when you truly read the Bible…”
Truthfully, this is just a taste of the crazy amount of evidence in the Bible for God’s Sovereignty (Providence may be a better term, but I’ll stick to Sovereignty to avoid confusion). God’s Sovereignty is undeniable when you truly read the Bible. Another concept that is undeniable is mankind’s accountability for his actions. They sound opposing and that’s why stances in Arminianism and Calvinism stake their claims as to the extremes on a spectrum. I want to encourage you not to sell yourself necessarily to an “ism” but rather be so incredibly devoted to being shaped by what Scripture saying that mankind’s accountability to his actions and God’s Providence are not completely at odds with each other. They’re a mystery for us, that’s for sure, but not a contradiction.
-Austin
