One aspect of God’s sovereignty is His choosing outcomes in the world. The Scriptures make it clear that God sets up kings and takes them down (Dan 4:32); they also reveal that He chooses what is good (Ps 119:68) and works things out for good for those who love Him and are called by Him (Rm 8:28). God actively works within the world He created. But even while we may acknowledge this reality, it becomes a tougher pill to swallow when God’s choice goes against what we want. Isaac loved his firstborn son, and he planned to pass God’s blessing to him, but God chose differently. Esau lived in a culture where firstborns received nearly all of their parent’s wealth, but the Scriptures say God hated him (Mal 1:3). We want freedom, but God chooses to restrict our freedom with parents and government. We want love, but God chooses to keep us single. We want success and happiness, but God chooses to allow hardship and trials. What are we supposed to do when God’s choice and ours are at odds? We must submit. Because God is sovereign, He has the right to the final choice. Because we are His creatures, we have the responsibility to respect His choice and submit to it. But it is for this very reason that the verses cited above are in Scripture. Psalm 119:68 and Romans 8:28 give us hope that even when God’s choice is contrary to ours; His choice is the best choice and in the end, His choice would be our choice every time. May we submit to God’s choice as He works His will in the world.
Sunday at Liberty
- SS: Unending Dominion (Daniel)–Daniel 6: Dominion Delivered
- AM: Pastor Rory–Genesis 25:19-34; 27:1-46–Respecting God’s Choice: Jacob & Esau, 1 (sermon notes)
- PM: Nathan Wagner–Psalm 119:129-136–Do Not Let Iniquity Have Dominion Over Me
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