The (Apparent) Sovereignty Paradox
The theologian Herman Bavinck once wrote, “Round about us we observe so many facts which seem to be unreasonable, so much undeserved suffering, so many unaccountable calamities, such an uneven and inexplicable distribution of destiny, and such an enormous contrast between the extremes of joy and sorrow, that anyone reflecting on these things is forced to choose between viewing this universe as if it were governed by the blind will of an unbenign deity, as is done by pessimism, or, upon the basis of Scripture and by faith, to rest in the absolute sovereign, yet – however incomprehensible – wise and holy will of Him who will one day cause the full light of heaven to dawn upon these mysteries of life.”
As Christians, we may have a lot of questions and concerns about what is going on in the world today. But here’s one thing we must never lose sight of: God is in complete control of this universe. So much so, that all that comes to pass stems from His preappointed purposes. No, this does not answer every “why?” But it does remind us that nothing in this universe is meaningless.
What I want to do in this post is just give you a few Bible verses without comment to remind you that God is in complete and absolute control of this universe and that His plans and purposes will not be thwarted. All His sovereign decree will come to pass. God wins.
For Christians, this should comfort you immensely! If you are not truly born-again this should terrify you greatly. You are not God. Turn from your sins and believe on Christ for salvation! And trust that God is in control. And this is a good thing.
Bible Verses to Consider
To Him be the glory.
DANIEL 4:35
all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
and he does according to his will among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”PROVERBS 16:33
The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the LORD.ISAIAH 46:9-11
remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,10
declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,’11
calling a bird of prey from the east,
the man of my counsel from a far country.
I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;
I have purposed, and I will do it.EPHESIANS 1:11
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,PROVERBS 16:4
The LORD has made everything for its purpose,
even the wicked for the day of trouble.PROVERBS 21:1
The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD;
he turns it wherever he will.JOB 42:2
“I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”PSALM 33:11
The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
the plans of his heart to all generations.
Think ‘Em Over
Do these verses make it sound as though God just knows what is going to happen in the future or does it sound like He governs this universe according to His eternal, unchangeable, and holy plan?
Can you trust a God who is so sovereign that
- the very hairs on your head are determined
- every freckle placed
- every event large or small is part of His plan
Can you trust a God
- who this God is holy and righteous and just?
- who is not the author of sin and that His creatures are culpable for their actions which also fall under His sovereign plan and will?
Can you trust a God like that? Because this is the God of the Bible. He is the God of meticulous sovereignty all for His own glory.
May we be in awe of this great and glorious God and may we worship Him and live for Him accordingly.
