Tag: God’s Sovereignty

When Faith Isn’t Enough

There’s a popular verse that says faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). So what happens when someone prays in faith—believing with all their heart for a miracle—only to find that their mountain doesn’t move? What do we say to the person who truly believes for healing, only to lose a loved one to cancer, or to watch their own health fail? When the Bible says “the prayer of a righteous person avails much” (James 5:16), how do we reconcile that with unanswered prayer?

For many Christians, these are heart-wrenching moments of crisis. Faith feels like it’s failed, but the reality is far more complex. Prayer, faith, and God’s purposes are not transactional but relational. And just because a specific answer doesn’t come doesn’t mean faith is irrelevant—it just means God’s plan is greater.

Jesus Himself dealt with this tension. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed for the cup of suffering to be taken from Him (Matthew 26:39), but He also prayed for the Father’s will to be done above all. This shows us that faith is not about manipulating outcomes to fit our desires, but about trusting God’s greater will, even when it contradicts our hopes.

The crux of the issue is understanding that faith isn’t a guarantee for our specific desires but trust in God’s perfect plan. A Molinist perspective sees God’s sovereignty and human free will in harmony. God, in His infinite wisdom, knows all possible outcomes. He sees not just our immediate suffering but the eternal good that He is working through it. When we pray in faith, we are invited to participate in God’s will—not to command it.

Jesus performed countless miracles during His earthly ministry, but even He did not heal everyone or remove every obstacle His followers faced. The Apostle Paul pleaded three times for God to remove a thorn in his flesh, and God’s answer was “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Faith isn’t about always getting what we ask for—it’s about receiving God’s grace in all situations, trusting that His will is good.

So what do we say to the person whose prayer seems unanswered? We remind them that God’s will is ultimately for our eternal good, and that His plans reach far beyond what we can see or understand. The promise of the Gospel is not a comfortable, pain-free life, but the hope of eternal glory (Romans 8:18). In the meantime, God often uses suffering to deepen our faith, grow our character, and reveal His strength in our weakness.

Does faith play a determinative role in prayer? Yes, but only in concert with God’s will. Even the smallest faith is effective, not because of the size of our faith, but because of the size of our God. The mountains in our lives may not always move the way we expect, but the God who made the mountains is always with us.

Faith, ultimately, is trust—trust that God is good, even when the outcome is not what we hoped for. And in the end, for the Christian, death itself is not defeat but the final victory. Physical healing may not always come, but ultimate healing—eternal life with God—awaits all who trust in Him. Faith isn’t just for this life; it’s for the life to come.

To Scheme Or Not To Scheme

The story of Haman’s downfall in Esther 5-7 is a powerful example of how God uses even the wicked schemes of people to accomplish His purposes. Haman, filled with pride and hatred for Mordecai, had a 75-foot pike set up with the intention of executing him. He believed this would secure his dominance and remove the one man who refused to bow to him. Yet, in a stunning reversal of events, Haman himself was impaled on the very pike he had prepared for Mordecai.

This account illustrates the illusion of human power and control. Haman thought he could manipulate the king, the court, and circumstances to suit his own desires, but he ultimately fell victim to his own scheming. Human plans, no matter how carefully constructed, cannot thwart God’s sovereign will. As Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

God’s ability to use everything—even the evil intentions of others—for His purposes should give us great comfort and confidence. The world often feels chaotic and unjust, and at times it may seem that wickedness prospers unchecked. But the story of Esther shows us that God is in control, even when we can’t see it. He turns the schemes of the enemy on their head and brings about justice in ways we could never anticipate.

In our lives today, we may encounter people or situations that seem intent on causing harm or derailment. Yet, just as God protected Mordecai and Esther, He is working all things together for good (Romans 8:28). Even when we can’t see the full picture, we can trust that God’s purposes will stand. We are not at the mercy of human power plays, but under the loving care of a sovereign God who uses even the darkest moments to bring about His will.

The Illusion of Human Power

Esther 1:10-22 offers us a fascinating glimpse into the dynamics of power and authority. Xerxes, the king, is used to absolute control over his empire and, apparently, over his household as well. His command for Queen Vashti to appear before his banquet guests as a display of her beauty is not simply a request but an expectation born out of his authority as king. When Vashti refuses, it isn’t just a private disagreement—it becomes a threat to the entire social order of the time, particularly to the authority of men over their households.

This fear is expressed clearly by Xerxes’ advisors, who advise the king to take action against Vashti. They worry that if her defiance goes unpunished, other women across the kingdom might be emboldened to defy their husbands as well, undermining the patriarchal system. Their solution? Issue a royal decree that not only punishes Vashti but also publicizes her defiance throughout the empire. In doing so, they unintentionally broadcast the very rebellion they hoped to suppress.

Here lies the irony: in their attempt to preserve male authority, the advisors only magnify the story of Vashti’s refusal. What might have been an act of dignity and self-respect on Vashti’s part is twisted into a threat to societal order. Their actions, meant to reinforce control, instead expose the fragility of their power. Human attempts to maintain control often backfire, revealing how shaky earthly power structures truly are. What was meant to be a private refusal, perhaps rooted in Vashti’s desire to maintain her honor¹, becomes a public scandal. In their eagerness to suppress disorder, the advisors instead invite it.

This passage reminds us of an important truth: human authority is temporary and imperfect. Kings and rulers can make decrees, set policies, and seek to control outcomes, but ultimately, only God’s authority is sovereign and unshakable. Xerxes’ actions, driven by wounded pride and fear of losing control, stand in stark contrast to the steady, unchanging power of God.

In today’s world, we often see similar patterns. Leaders and institutions may try to exert control, only to discover that their efforts to preserve authority highlight their insecurity. Just as in Xerxes’ kingdom, human power is fragile and subject to failure. We are reminded that, in contrast, God’s power is constant, just, and never subject to the whims of pride or fear.

As Christians, this passage encourages us to examine where we place our trust. Do we rely on human structures of power, which are bound to crumble, or do we place our trust in the Lord, whose rule is eternal and whose authority is rooted in love and righteousness? Vashti’s story serves as a reminder that God often works through the unexpected—through defiance, through irony, through what appears to be disorder—to accomplish His purposes.

Today, let us be encouraged to stand firm in our faith, knowing that while human power may falter, God’s will is always accomplished. The fragility of earthly systems highlights the steadfastness of God’s kingdom. May we place our hope and trust in the one true King, whose authority is never threatened and whose rule is always just.

Several theories have been proposed about why Vashti’s banquet occurred and why she refused to attend Xerxes’ summons:

Cultural Norms: In Persian society, there was a cultural expectation that women would not be present at certain male-dominated gatherings, especially if they involved heavy drinking and revelry. Vashti’s banquet might have been a customary women’s gathering, separate from the more public male banquet. In this case, Xerxes summoning her to display her beauty may have been a breach of this cultural expectation.

Protection of Dignity: Some scholars suggest that Vashti’s refusal was based on a desire to maintain her dignity. Xerxes’ request, made in a drunken state, could have been seen as inappropriate or demeaning, especially if it was interpreted that she was being asked to appear in front of the men solely to show off her beauty (with some interpretations even suggesting she was asked to appear immodestly). Vashti may have been unwilling to leave her banquet, where she held a position of honor, to be publicly objectified.

Political and Personal Dynamics: There is also speculation that Vashti’s refusal might reflect deeper political or personal dynamics between her and Xerxes, which the text doesn’t elaborate on. Whether her banquet was a symbolic assertion of her own power or simply a part of royal custom is unclear.

Timing: The text doesn’t explicitly state whether the banquets were happening at the exact same time or one after the other. The suggestion that Vashti was called away from her banquet to attend Xerxes’ could indicate overlapping events, though this isn’t certain. If they were happening concurrently, it would make her refusal seem more reasonable, as she was hosting an event of her own. ↩︎

Perfect Predictions: Why Prophecy Matters

In Daniel 8, we find one of the most remarkable examples of fulfilled prophecy in the Bible. This vision, given to Daniel around 550 B.C., speaks of the rise and fall of future empires in stunning detail. What makes this prophecy even more extraordinary is how perfectly it aligns with historical events that occurred centuries after Daniel’s lifetime.

Daniel sees a vision of a ram with two horns, which is later identified as the Medo-Persian Empire. At the time Daniel received this prophecy, Babylon was still the dominant power, and Persia’s rise seemed unlikely. Yet, within a few decades, the Medo-Persian Empire would overthrow Babylon and become the next superpower. The prophecy then speaks of a goat with one large horn that swiftly defeats the ram, representing Greece and its leader, Alexander the Great. History records that around 200 years after Daniel’s vision, Alexander conquered the Persian Empire with incredible speed, just as the prophecy foretold.

But it doesn’t stop there. Daniel’s prophecy also predicts the death of the large horn (Alexander) and the division of his empire into four parts, which was fulfilled when Alexander’s empire was split among his generals after his death. The “little horn” that emerges from one of these divisions is widely recognized as a reference to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a tyrant who persecuted the Jews and desecrated the temple—a dark time in Israel’s history, also corroborated by non-biblical historical records.

One of the most stunning details of this prophecy is the 2,300 evenings and mornings (Daniel 8:14), a specific period of time during which the temple would be desecrated. Scholars have linked this to the time between when Antiochus IV desecrated the Jewish temple in 167 B.C. and the temple’s cleansing and rededication in 164 B.C. during the Maccabean Revolt. The 2,300 days—about six years and four months—match this period exactly, another example of the precise fulfillment of biblical prophecy.

This precision is not merely coincidence. The timelines, the rise and fall of empires, and the actions of Antiochus IV all align exactly with what Daniel predicted. This accuracy serves as a powerful reminder that the Bible is not just an ancient religious text, but the inspired and inerrant Word of God. If Daniel’s prophecy could predict events with such accuracy centuries before they happened, how much more should we trust the promises of Scripture about our lives and the future?

The takeaway for us today is simple but profound: the same God who accurately foretold the events in Daniel 8 is still in control. We can trust His Word because history has proven it to be true. When we read the Bible, we’re not just reading old stories or advice for living—we’re encountering the living Word of God. We’re being invited to trust that what He says will come to pass.

So, let’s take the Bible to heart. Its words are not just true in a general sense; they are accurate and reliable down to the smallest detail. As we study Scripture, we can rest in the knowledge that the God who spoke through the prophets is the same God who speaks to us today.

Grief, Glory, and God’s Eternal Purposes

Grief is a complex and deeply personal experience that manifests in various ways. Some people express it openly, with tears and lament, while others may internalize their sorrow, showing little outward signs of their inner turmoil. The Christian response to grief is multifaceted. We are called to mourn with those who mourn, showing compassion and empathy. Yet, as Christians, our response is also shaped by our hope in Christ and the knowledge that God is sovereign over all circumstances, even the painful ones.

Ezekiel’s experience in chapter 24, where he was commanded not to outwardly mourn the loss of his wife, reminds us that sometimes, grief is not just about expressing sorrow but about trusting in God’s greater plan. Outward expressions of grief can be important, but they are not the ultimate measure of our response to loss. True comfort comes from knowing that, despite the pain and suffering we experience, God is working all things together for His eternal purposes.

This doesn’t always lessen the immediate sting of grief, but it provides a framework for understanding our suffering within the larger context of God’s redemptive plan. We may not always understand the “why” behind our pain, but we can take small comfort in the reality that God is weaving even our grief into His glory-filled purposes.

When God Stops Protecting

When we read about the judgment on Assyria and Babylon, it might seem perplexing. How can God punish them for carrying out actions that fulfilled His will? But the answer is deceptively simple: God did not force these nations to act. Instead, He removed His protection from Israel, allowing them to experience the consequences of their own choices.

Israel’s rebellion against God led to a withdrawal of His protective hand, leaving them vulnerable to the sinful ambitions of surrounding nations. Babylon and Assyria, driven by their own greed and desire for power, seized the opportunity to conquer and oppress. These nations were never acting righteously; they were merely acting according to their own sinful desires. And yet, their actions were part of God’s greater plan to discipline Israel.

God’s judgment on Babylon and Assyria reminds us that while He may use the actions of others to accomplish His purposes, it doesn’t excuse their wrongdoing. Israel needed to experience the consequences of their rebellion to understand the severity of their actions and to turn back to God. But that doesn’t absolve the nations of their guilt.

In our own lives, there are times when God may allow us to face the consequences of our choices. It’s not that He wills us to suffer, but that He wants us to see the impact of living outside His protection and guidance. Yet, even in the midst of discipline, God’s love and desire for our restoration remain constant.

Furnace of Affection

Isaiah 48:10 speaks of God’s refining process, a crucial aspect of His relationship with Israel and His people today. This verse is part of a larger section (Isaiah 44:6-48:11) where God emphasizes His sovereignty, the futility of idols, and His commitment to redeem and refine His people. In these chapters, God declares His uniqueness and sovereignty, contrasting Himself with lifeless idols. He promises deliverance and redemption for Israel but also speaks of the necessary process of refining through trials. This refinement is not just for punishment but for purification and preparation for His purposes.

In Isaiah 48:10, God says, “See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” This furnace of affliction is actually a furnace of affection. The intense process of refining through affliction is a manifestation of God’s deep love and commitment to His people. By allowing them to go through trials, He is purifying them, removing impurities, and preparing them for a closer relationship with Him.

We see this concept clearly outlined in the New Testament as well. 1 Corinthians 5:5 reads, “hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.” Paul’s instruction to the Corinthian church to hand over an immoral brother (or sister) to Satan for the destruction of the flesh is a form of severe discipline meant to lead to repentance and restoration. This parallels God’s refining process in Isaiah, where severe measures are taken to purify and save His people.

Have you ever experienced personal trials? I know I have. And as we journey through these difficult circumstances — such as a health crisis or financial hardship — we might find that this “furnace of affection” brings about a deeper reliance on God, stripping away self-reliance and pride.

Never forget that God loves you and that’s why His refining process is still at work today! While the process can be painful, it is ultimately for our good, leading to spiritual growth and maturity. God’s desire is that none should perish, but that ALL should come to everlasting life.

Reflection Questions:

Are there areas in your life where you feel like you are being refined in the furnace of affliction? How can you see God’s hand at work in these situations?
How do you respond to church discipline or personal trials? Do you see them as opportunities for growth and purification?
In what ways can you support others going through their own refining processes?

The Surprising Hope Hidden in Isaiah’s Doom and Gloom

Isaiah 24-27, often called the “Apocalypse of Isaiah,” delivers a stern message of global judgment. Nations are brought low, the earth is laid waste, and its inhabitants scattered. This grim portrayal continues into chapter 29, where Jerusalem faces severe consequences for their rebellion. However, nestled within these chapters of destruction are profound messages of hope and redemption.

Isaiah 24 starts with a vision of the earth in chaos: “The earth will be completely laid waste and totally plundered. The Lord has spoken this word” (Isaiah 24:3). The ensuing verses describe a world reeling under divine judgment. Yet, amidst this, Isaiah 25 presents a sudden shift: “Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago” (Isaiah 25:1).

Here, Isaiah acknowledges God’s sovereignty and His faithful plans, even in judgment. He foretells a future where God will “swallow up death forever” and “wipe away the tears from all faces” (Isaiah 25:8). This profound promise points to a time of ultimate redemption, offering hope amid despair.

Isaiah 26 continues with a song of trust: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3). Despite the trials, those who trust in God are promised perfect peace. This peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of God in the midst of it.

Isaiah 27 brings the promise of restoration: “In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit” (Isaiah 27:6). This prophecy speaks of a restored Israel, flourishing and fruitful. It is a reminder that God’s judgment is not an end but a means to bring about repentance and renewal.

Isaiah 29 returns to the theme of judgment, focusing on Jerusalem. The city faces severe consequences for their hypocrisy and spiritual blindness. “The Lord has brought over you a deep sleep: He has sealed your eyes (the prophets); he has covered your heads (the seers)” (Isaiah 29:10). Yet, even here, God promises a future transformation: “Once more the humble will rejoice in the Lord; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 29:19).

God’s discipline is always paired with His grace. The call to awaken from spiritual complacency is a call to return to God, who is ever ready to restore and bless.

How often do we find ourselves overwhelmed by the chaos in our lives? Like the nations in Isaiah’s prophecy, we might face situations that seem insurmountable. But these chapters remind us that God is in control. His plans, though sometimes involving discipline, are ultimately for our good.

When we are in the midst of life’s storms, it is easy to focus on the immediate chaos rather than the overarching sovereignty of God. Isaiah invites us to lift our eyes from our troubles to the One who holds our future.

Personal Reflection:

Are you currently facing a situation that feels overwhelming?
How can you shift your focus from the problem to the promise of God’s presence and peace?
In what ways can you cultivate a trust in God’s plan, even when it involves discipline?

Remember, God’s judgment is never devoid of His mercy. He disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6), and His ultimate aim is our restoration and flourishing.

Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition

The battle-cry of Chaplain Lt H. M. Forgy aboard the USS New Orleans during the attack on Pearl Harbour in WWII. Just the thought of it today causes Christians to recoil in horror. Imagine! Associating God with war?? Crazytownbananapants!

Ot is it? I think Christians write-large would also recoil in horror at the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 149:6-9, who writes:

Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands— to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with shackles and their leaders with iron chains, to execute the judgment written against them. This is the glorious privilege of his faithful ones. Praise the Lord!

A sword? Vengeance!? Execute!?!

We read these words and run to the New Testament to say that our fight is NOT against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, this is a metaphorical battle! This is only imagery! David Guzik in his Enduring Word commentary writes:

They bear a two-edged sword in their hand, demonstrating both the use of practical weapons and means, and in a spiritual sense, reliance upon God’s word, which is described as a two-edged sword (Revelation 19:15) as even sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12), and as the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17).”

I don’t think so, Dave. That is NOT the context the author of Psalms is writing in. He’s not in a post-Resurrection world. Christianity does not yet exist. And the writings of John, Paul, and the author of Hebrews are hundreds of years away. Which begs the question: what is the context of the Psalmist?

Exodus 32:25-28 – The Golden Calf Incident: After the Israelites create and worship a golden calf, Moses calls for those who are loyal to the Lord to come to him. The Levites respond, and Moses commands them to go through the camp and kill those who participated in the idolatry. About 3,000 people are killed as a result.
Numbers 25:1-9 – The Sin of Peor: The Israelites engage in idolatry and sexual immorality with Moabite women. God commands Moses to execute the leaders involved. Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, takes a spear and kills an Israelite man and a Midianite woman, stopping a plague that had killed 24,000 people.
Joshua 6 – The Battle of Jericho: God commands Joshua to lead the Israelites in the conquest of Jericho. They march around the city for seven days, and on the seventh day, they blow trumpets and shout, causing the walls to collapse. They then destroy every living thing in the city as an act of divine judgment.
Joshua 7 – The Sin of Achan: After the Israelites are defeated at Ai, God reveals that Achan has taken forbidden items. Joshua identifies Achan, who confesses, and he and his family are stoned and burned as a punishment, restoring God’s favor to Israel.
1 Samuel 15 – The Amalekites: God commands Saul, the first king of Israel, to completely destroy the Amalekites, including all their people and livestock. Saul partially obeys, sparing King Agag and the best of the livestock, which leads to his rejection as king.
2 Kings 9-10 – The Judgment on Ahab’s House: God anoints Jehu as king of Israel and commands him to execute judgment on the house of Ahab. Jehu kills Joram, Ahaziah, Jezebel, and the seventy sons of Ahab, fulfilling Elijah’s prophecy.
Judges 7 – Gideon’s Battle Against the Midianites: God uses Gideon and a small army of 300 men to defeat the Midianites, delivering Israel from oppression. This victory is seen as God’s judgment against the Midianites for their actions against Israel.

This is far from an exhaustive list. We just need to accept the fact that God uses human agents to carry out His will. And — yes — His will includes judgement from time to time. And if that bothers you, I have a quite sincere question: Do you have an issue with any of these incidences?

The Great Flood: God caused the flood to wipe out all humanity except Noah and his family (Genesis 6-8).
Sodom and Gomorrah: God destroyed these cities with fire and brimstone due to their wickedness (Genesis 19).
Nadab and Abihu: They were consumed by fire from the Lord for offering unauthorized fire before Him (Leviticus 10:1-2).
Uzzah: He died when he touched the ark of the covenant inappropriately (2 Samuel 6:6-7).

Because it seems to me that most people who object to how God is doing a thing, but rather than He is doing it at all. This comes back to the same thing I’ve talked about before; when my opinion differs from God’s, I’m wrong. And if I don’t like it, I need to better understand God’s grace or holiness, or some other attribute of His better. Don’t forget that God is all-knowing. He knows everything that was, is, and will be. He has a level of both knowledge and understanding that we could never HOPE to attain. And any attempt to massage, mold, or adapt God to better fit OUR desires is nothing more than an idol. An idol that demonstrates a profound lack of trust in our God.

God is a Gentleman

I grew up Catholic, which meant that God was far away and most waiting with a big stick to whack me if I stepped out of line. Eventually I became an agnostic and that lasted into my teen years. Then I got saved in a Pentecostal church when I was about 15.

During these formative years of my faith I was taught that much of what God does depends on what we do. I was always told that “God is a gentlemen”, He will never force Himself of you. God sort of reacts to what we are doing and orchestrates His will accordingly. This is broadly called “Arminianism”. In this way of understanding God, much is made of human free will, but God’s sovereignty suffers rather severely.

Once I became a pastor I worked for a few churches and one of them was staunchly “Calvinist” — the opposite of Arminianism. This says that everything that happens is because God willed it to be so. On this understating of God, much is made of God’s sovereignty, but human free will suffers severely.

By the way, if this stuff makes your eyes glaze over, don’t worry about it. Both of these camps are going to be in heaven. This is absolutely NOT a salvation issue… even if both of these groups are wrong.

We see throughout Amos, Isaiah, and now Hosea that God repeatedly tells that people that once they turn back to Him, He will restore them. So clearly we need to find a way to balance the free will of the creature (God will not restore us until we repent) with God’s sovereignty (He is in control of everything). How is this done?

Well, it’s long and complicated, and takes more time to explain than I really want to invest in this particular post. But essentially I believe it works like this:

God knows how you would respond in any given set of circumstances.
God has total sovereign control over everything.
God chooses not to override our free will, but to arrange the circumstances to achieve His desired outcomes.
In this way God is sovereign over everything that happens, but we are also allowed to exercise our free will.

That to say that I think my youth pastor when I was 15 was right. And that position is backed up by the preponderance of the Biblical evidence. Essentially… God is a Gentleman.