Transcript

Omnipotent Sovereignty

Psalms 93:1-5
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Pastor Randy Smith

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As I was going through your prayer cards this week: Death of a niece, death of a mother, spiritual direction for a teenager, salvation for family members, depression, need for employment, need for housing, transition to a new area, loss from the storm, interpersonal conflict, family unity, financial concerns, spiritual persecution, health issues, governmental decisions and the list continues.

Any one of these issues is enough to bring tremendous emotional strain into a person's life. So what is the best way to survive in dealing with the curve balls that life continually throws our way? How do we deal with situations that are oftentimes out of our personal control? Where do we turn for answers and hope? Personally, where do you turn when the pressures of pain force their way on your life that appears at times unbearable?

Well, since we are gathered here in church with our Bibles open, I think you know the answer! I'm not going to say it's crystal balls or more personal autonomy or bigger government or even the legalization of marijuana! You know the answer, but the answer you might not know is why? Why is God and God alone the greatest remedy and only sufficient solution for our problems? Sure we believe God can change our circumstances (if not I don't think I would have received these prayer requests), but how can God be of assistance in our pain when He chooses not to change our circumstances?

The answer is simple and it is found in the first three words of Psalm 93. "The Lord reigns" (Psm. 96:10; 97:1; 99:1).

Now, what does that mean? It means that God is in full control of every single detail in this universe. It means that nothing happens without His permission and nothing occurs outside of His will. His timing is perfect. His motives are perfect. His causes are perfect. He is reigning. He has always reigned. And He will always be reigning. And His perfect reign is always coordinated with His perfect love and perfect wisdom and perfect goodness. God is sovereign over everything and He never makes a single mistake. He is in complete control and no one or no thing can ever foil His plans or usurp His authority. "The Lord reigns!"

Just this past week our family was discussing one of the greatest sins in today's church. It flows right from the root of pride. What do you think it is? Complaining! It just comes so easy, doesn't it? Rarely do we think about or thank God for the literal millions of blessings He pours into our lives, but the moment something happens that we don't like we complain. We complain to everyone, even God Himself! And why is complaining a sin? Because complaining is our way of telling others or even God Himself that He is doing a lousy job of running His universe! Complaining is an indication and so is fear and so is anxiety and so is despair that we really do not believe that God reigns.

Can you imagine how much our lives would radically change if we lived every second of the day knowing (which I think we do), but also believing (which I think we occasionally fall short) that God is in control? Think of the peace it would bring us and think of the honor it would bring our great King!

This is such an important doctrine so this morning we'll look at Psalm 93 and identify seven wonderful aspects about our Lord's reign. Understanding these truths will enable us to live with greater courage and confidence in the midst of our afflictions because we understand greatness of our God.

The Lord Reigns Gloriously

First, the Lord reigns gloriously. Verse 1 reads, "He is clothed with majesty."

When we consider the glory of God's reign it far exceeds any conception our mind envisions of any earthly ruler, even far beyond the glorious attire and palaces of fairytales. Jesus spoke of King Solomon "in all his glory" (Mt. 6:29), but the glory of God far exceeds his.

Job 37:22 says, "Out of the north comes golden splendor; around God is awesome majesty." 1 Chronicles 29:11, "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty." Psalm 145:5, "On the glorious splendor of Your majesty…I will meditate." Isaiah 6:1, "I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple."

Unlike all other worldly kings, God's majesty and glory far exceed theirs. And most significant is that His glory is intrinsic. It is internal.

Saddam Hussein's set-up was impressive, but what are our last images of the man? - a ragged refugee living in a dirt hole wearing rags while a US serviceman was examining his body with plastic gloves. His glory could be stripped away. Not so with God. God is glorious because of who He is and nothing will ever be able to change that. Even if He never received an ounce of worship from His creation, He would still be perfectly glorious. Nobody can add to it and nobody can take away from it.

The great theologian Jonathan Edwards said, "There has been a wonderful alteration in my mind, in respect to the doctrine of God's sovereignty, from that day to this… God's absolute sovereignty… is what my mind seems to rest assured of, as much as of anything that I see with my eyes… The doctrine has very often appeared exceeding pleasant, bright, and sweet. Absolute sovereignty is what I love to ascribe to God… God's sovereignty has ever appeared to me, [a] great part of His glory. It has often been my delight to approach God, and adore Him as a sovereign God" (The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Selections, p. 59, 67).

These adjectives come to mind as it relates to God's glorious reign: Stately, dignified, awe inspiring, majestic, astonishment, fearful, dazzling and imposing.

And because I know God reigns gloriously, I know that He will reign in such a way that always promotes justice and righteousness and truth. And when we seek after these qualities, we can know that we have God on our side because we can know that nothing is more preeminent in God's mind than upholding His majestic glory at all costs.

The Lord Reigns Powerfully

Second, the Lord reigns powerfully. Still in verse 1, "The Lord has clothed and girded Himself with strength."

I'm sure very few people would be qualified for a position of kingship if they failed to have some sort of power. It is hard to reign without power! All earthly leaders have an authority either given to them or have one they have taken by force. But as they age or their subjects revolt or their term expires, their power is stripped away. God is powerful because of whom He is independent of His creation. His power is witnessed throughout the Bible, revealed in creation and experienced in our lives. Do we not believe that as Christians God has performed a miracle in our hearts and will one day transport not only our souls but also our resurrected bodies to be with Him for an eternity in heaven? That's an example of our hope in God's power.

Either your theology has God as the supreme source of power in the universe or you end up with a God who wants to do good, but is oftentimes overpowered by demonic forces, fate, luck, evil people (Psm. 2:1-4) or the influences of nature. You see, a correct understanding on this point is crucial because if anything can occur outside of God's sovereign control we have a major problem on our hands. His love may be infinite, but if His power is limited and His purposes can be thwarted, His ability to come through is uncertain and our confidence in Him will be questionable.

Scripture affirms God's power, His omnipotence: Dan. 4:35, "All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?" Psm. 115:3, "But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases."

Why do we permit everybody to exercise their "freewill" except God?

Sure there are many times when we do not understand the working of God as it relates to the use of His power, but here is where we must have faith. As I was recently asked by a resident during the service project, "Why did God bring this storm?" I don't know, but if God could ordain the murder of Jesus Christ and bring forth the greatest good the word has ever known, I know He has wise and good purposes in what He is doing here as well. We must not allow our faith to denigrate to the position of expecting God to act as we expect Him to act. Rather faith is knowing that God is able to do as He wishes (even when it does not make sense to us) and what He does is, Romans 8:28, always working together for our greatest good. God reigns in perfect power and because of that, I can know He is bigger than my problems and therefore the sole object of my worship.

A.W. Pink remarked, "A 'god' whose will is resisted, whose designs are frustrated, whose purpose is checkmated, possesses no title to Deity, and so far from being a fit object of worship, merits nothing but contempt.

The Lord Reigns Immutably

Third, God reigns immutably - that's a fancy word for unchanging. I get that from the ending of verse 1, "Indeed [you can bank on it!], the world is firmly established, it will not be moved."

Doesn't this one give you confidence? Doesn't this give you stability in thought? Because God reigns immutably, He is in control and His will will never be changed. Despite all that we see changing around us in a world that appears to be spinning out of control, God is as much in control right now as He ever has been or ever will be. His laws are immutable as is His plan for your life. Everything in your life is happening for a purpose and that purpose is perfect, one that was written long before you were ever born and one that no one can ever interrupt.

What if God were not immutable? Could you imagine if God changed His mind? Could you imagine if God's knowledge needed to "evolve?" Could you imagine if God chose not to uphold His promises? Could you imagine if God's character altered from time to time?

Before the area was sealed off, my family and I had the opportunity to walk along Ocean Avenue in Belmar the morning after the storm. The devastation was beyond our expectations. Everything was in some degree affected by the storm. That is, all except the large rock jetties. The ones I happened to notice were immutable.

Is it any surprise that the Psalmist frequently refers to God as the "Rock." Houses get destroyed, bodies decay, friends forsake us, politicians disappoint us. Everything changes so ultimate hope in these things is futile. But God is the rock! He never changes. He is immutable. Therefore He is a safe harbor, place of refuge, source of stability for all those who run to Him.

The Lord Reigns Eternally

So the Lord reigns gloriously, powerfully, immutably and now fourth, He reigns eternally. Look at Psalm 93, verse 2: "Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting."

We've all heard people in recent weeks predicting the end of America. Many people also see the current worldwide events as potential signs that the world is coming to an end. Perhaps they are all right and we do know according to the Bible that if not now these statements are indeed true sometime in the future.

But immediately after the outcome of the election when so many were filled with so much uncertainty, these things I still knew to be true: The Bible is still sufficient to for all we need to know about God. Prayer will still be heard and answered. The Holy Spirit is still at work regenerating hearts. Jesus is still the way to salvation. Heaven is still open for those who receive Christ. And God is still reigning on His throne.

There seems so many times in our lives when it appears God comes and goes from His place as Lord of the cosmos and at times Lord of our lives. But Scripture declares for us that He will not abdicate His responsibilities. He will eternally be King of kings and Lord of lords. From eternity past to eternity future our God reigns. In Psalm 90:2 Moses prayed, "Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God." And God's eternal reign gives us confidence that all is well!

Back in 1856, the great preacher, C.H. Spurgeon reflected, "There is no attribute more comforting to His children than that of God's sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials, they believe that sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, that sovereignty overrules them, and that sovereignty will sanctify them all. There is nothing for which the children ought to more earnestly contend to than the doctrine of their Master over all creation - the Kingship of God over all the works of His own hands - the [eternal] Throne of God and His right to sit upon that throne...for it is God upon the Throne whom we trust."

The Lord Reigns Triumphantly

That leads to number five, the Lord reigns triumphantly. Verses 3 and 4, "The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice, the floods lift up their pounding waves. More than the sounds of many waters, than the mighty breakers of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty."

Here the unknown writer of this Psalm is describing some sort of conflict in his life. Though we can't be sure of the specific conflict, most would assume it was human in nature as most conflicts often tend to be. And what he does is compare his personal pain to the flooding of water and the pounding of waves - something especially now we can all identify with.

What we see is a real person like you and I who loves God, but is struggling with the pain and pressures of living in this fallen world. The Psalmist doesn't minimize his pain, but at the same time he does not allow his pain to be His God. Despite the rising flood waters and pounding waves of adversity, he is never overwhelmed because his focus in the first two verses was the reality that God reigns. Only after this declaration does he mention his problems. Instead of the problem overshadowing God, God overshadows his problem. His problems were seen in light of His God and when he has a great view of God his problems, though real, paled in comparison.

You see, if we understand the concept of God's sovereignty we understand that He is not only with us, using these events for our good, but that He is also permitting these events in our lives for a loving and wise purpose. So though his problems, verse 4, carry "the sound of many waters" and explode like "the mighty breakers of the sea," he can declare in His heart, also in verse 4 that "the Lord on high is mighty!" His refuge is not in only the lifejackets and higher grounds that God provides in the flood. His refuge is ultimately in the character of God Himself, because His God reigns triumphantly!

Loud the stormy billows spoke,
Loud the billows raised their cry;
Fierce the stormy billows broke,
Sounding to the echoing sky.
Strong the breakers tossing high,
Stronger is Jehovah's might.
True thy words; and sanctity
Well becomes thy temple bright.

C.H. Spurgeon

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Horatio Spafford

You do not lose your children in a transatlantic boating accident as Spafford did and then pen, "It is well with my soul," unless you believe God is mighty.

The Lord Reigns Truthfully

Sixth, the Lord reigns truthfully. Look with me at verse 5: "Your testimonies are fully confirmed."

None of these glorious promises would carry any weight if God could not be trusted. That's why we must be affirmed that God is who He has said He is and God will do all that He has promised to do. That's why we as Christians are commanded in Colossians 1:16 to "let the word of Christ richly dwell within you." For only when we believe the Bible is true and submit ourselves to its teaching will we respond in our trials in such a way that brings us the greatest peace and God the greatest glory.

The Lord Reigns Holy

And finally, God reigns holy. The remainder of verse 5, "Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, forevermore."

There is nothing dark about the reign of our God. He is set apart and ruling with the utmost purity. There is no evil that He will ever permit to dwell with Him. Nothing is more important and there is nothing that God wants more from us. I believe we could say that the pain He permits in our lives is intended for this very purpose. God is a holy God and He is forever seeking to conform us into the holy nature of Christ.

And speaking of Jesus Christ, may He forever be the Holy One we imitate and exalt. All these qualities of God's reign will one day mark the Messianic reign of our Savior. There will come the day, says Philippians 2, "[That] at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Phil. 2:10-11).

As we have learned about God the Father, the Bible emphasizes about God the Son. Jesus is glorious. "He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature" (Heb. 1:3) Jesus is powerful. He said, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth" (Mt. 28:18). Jesus is immutable. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Heb. 13:8). Jesus is eternal. "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever" (Heb. 1:8). Jesus is triumphant. "His name will be called…Mighty God" (Isa. 9:6). Jesus is truthful. He is "the way, and the truth, and the life" (Jn. 14:6). And Jesus is holy. He is our "high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens" (Heb. 7:26). Jesus is reigning at the right hand of the Father and one day His reign will be evident to all. And there will be for all people a great consequence to those who refuse to lay down their arms of rebellion and humbly bow the knee the King Jesus.

Some have called the sovereignty of God, "God's favorite doctrine." He is reigning and will always reign as the King of the universe working "all things after the counsel of His will" (Eph. 1:11). And because God reigns and is in perfect control of His universe we can live in a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7) and a thanksgiving that extends to all situations (1 Thes. 5:18). As the Psalmist said just four Psalms later, "The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice."