Joni Erickson Tada was an athlete. In 1967 she had a diving accident that left her paralyzed from the neck down. She could have given in to depression and despair, but she didn’t. Instead she took the opportunity to glorify God through her adversity. Since then she has written several books, spoken to thousands of people, and ministered to more people than can be counted… all the while glorifying God. Here is what she wrote about the Sovereignty of God…
Nothing is a surprise to God; nothing is a setback to His plans; nothing can thwart His purposes; and nothing is beyond His control. His sovereignty is absolute. Everything that happens is uniquely ordained by God.
Sovereignty is a weighty thing to ascribe to the nature and character of God. Yet if He were not sovereign, He would not be God. The Bible is clear that God is in control of everything that happens.
As Moses learned, when God gives a disability, He also gives us the means to deal with it (Exodus 4:11-12). God does not delight in our afflictions, but when they are in His will for us, He delights in working everything our for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28) — whether He removes the affliction or not!
If examining the sovereignty of God teaches us anything, it teaches us that real satisfaction comes not in understanding God’s motives, but in understanding His character… in trusting in His promises… and in leaning on Him and resting in Him as the Sovereign who knows what He is doing and does all things well (Joni Erickson Tada, “Is God Really In Control?” {Joni and Friends, 1987} pp 2, 3, 8.).
Click here to hear her speak on The Theology Of Suffering (Excellent!)
Life is tough. Bad things happen to decent people. Unexpected events turn our lives upside down… sometimes for decades or possibly for life. This proves Christians are not immune to “tragedy.” In fact, in hardship Christians are to show the world the difference Jesus makes when our feet are knocked out from under us.
When we’re in free fall, seemingly without a parachute, what keeps us from panicking? Absolute trust in the complete sovereignty of God. The sure knowledge that God is in control provides peace. That provides the ability to worship in adversity. This is what Mrs. Tada so ably wrote. Click here for the prior post dealing with this topic.
Interesting stuff Pastor Ron. I agree with most of your conclusions but not with some of your assertions with which you derive those conclusions. The peace of God for me is not merely the absence of conflict but rather it is the presence of God. So for me, the soverignty of God is more about his presence than control. I still believe that control is very different for God than for man. I am not convinced that man is applying scriptural teachings of this appropriately or accurately. I also find it inconsistent with scripture to assert this notion of blind and ignorant obedience. God reaches out to us in so many ways and teaches us with so many diverse methods that is one will merely study and open one’s self to him, he will show and teach and explain his ways and his will. That is our responsibilty. He is always faithful with his promises.
Great blogs…lots to consider! Much to search Holy Spirit about!