GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY

By Christine Pyle

 

God is sovereign over all areas of our lives. Whether we live or die is in his hands every moment. He gave his life so that we can live. He purchased us with his blood. Therefore, we need to recognize God’s all-encompassing jurisdiction and surrender all of our lives to him. After all, we know that he is good and rewards those who love and trust him.

Romans 8:28:
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

I have recognized God’s sovereignty in particular in three areas of my life: how I spend my time, my speech and conversations, and choosing a husband in the future.

My Time

The way I spend my time determines what I accomplish for God, and even whether I obey or disobey him. God has a will and a purpose for me, an orderly plan for what I will do in this life, “for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work” (Eccl. 3:17b).

Ephesians 5:15-17:
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

I must, then, actively pursue and do the will of the Lord. The Bible is full of commandments and charges — how am I to obey except I devote my time to doing so? Paul certainly did, testifying that “labouring night and day ... we preached unto you the gospel of God” (1 Thess. 2:9). Micah makes our duty clear:

Micah 6:8b:
... What doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

God’s Word is permeated with charges, such as “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). Without ceasing? That takes a lot of time. Moreover, I don’t know when my Lord will return. I must be certain I am not wasting my time when he comes.

Mark 13:32-37:
But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Therefore, everything I do with my time must be in accordance with God’s will and to his glory.

1 Corinthians 10:31:
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

My Speech

Because I bear Christ’s name and am an ambassador for him, he cares what comes out of my mouth. Consider David’s prayer.

Psalm 19:14:
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

God’s Word gives many instructions for how my conversation as a Christian should sound. Here are a few examples.

Colossians 4:6:
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

1 Peter 1:15:
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

Clearly, God takes the words of our mouths under his jurisdiction. May my speech always be pleasing to him.

Marriage

God is the One who created the institution of marriage. He gave the first woman, Eve, to the first man, Adam. He had his hand in numerous other Biblical marriages: Isaac and Rebekah, Boaz and Ruth, even Esther and Xerxes! In the New Testament epistles, instructions aplenty abound to husbands and wives. Marriage is sacred and honored by God: He compares it to Christ’s relationship with the church.

Ephesians 5:32:
This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

God commands me to trust him in all things, and I can certainly trust him for a good marriage. As I acknowledge him in this area, he will surely lead me to the right person and a happy future.

Proverbs 3:5-6:
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

As for now, God wants me to seek him fully and care only for him.

1 Corinthians 7:34b:
... The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit ...

Conclusion

In closing, I deliver the timeless wisdom of Solomon. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13). As God’s purchased possession, I am compelled to commit myself to his authority in all areas of my life, including my time, my speech, and all aspects of my future. May you and I ever abound more and more in God’s perfect will!

It is by God’s grace alone that we can give ourselves to God and surrender to his will. As God opens our eyes to more areas of our lives that we must submit to him, let our prayer ever be, as in the hymn, “O for grace to trust Thee more!”

 

 

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From the April 2004 issue of The Vine & Branches