Forthright Fixation

Take a minute to imagine with me, if you will, the idea of “a sovereign”. Theological connotations aside, in a more worldly sense we probably think of rulers, kings, dictators, or even tyrants. Webster tells us that a sovereign is, “one that exercises supreme authority”. But to be subject to someone with supreme authority isn’t reassuring by itself, is it? As a matter-of-fact, subjects to any but the best and most benevolent sovereigns would live in constant uncertainty, always wondering whether or not their ruler’s next move would be in their best interest, or would be completely arbitrary.

Doesn’t this often describe our view of God?

Now, its rare to never that we consciously view God as a tyrant or capricious power. But when trials, unexpected “curve balls”, or twists in our well thought-out futures occur, don’t our hearts easily become unsettled? The once-calm waters now turn stormy, and our boat of peace is rocked.

Maybe we venture so far as to remind ourselves that indeed, He is sovereign, and hence has a plan for the rest of our lives. But still, we worry. We wonder if His plan aligns with ours, and whether or not what He chooses will really be in our best interest. Why is this? Why do our hearts succumb to worry? Friends, when we stop at only remembering God’s sovereignty, we forget a part of His character that is essential to trusting Him.

“I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that He has granted them according to His compassion, according to the abundance of His steadfast love.” Isaiah 63:7

“Oh, how abundant is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You and worked for those who take refuge in You, in the sight of the children of mankind!” Psalm 31:19

Without remembering His goodness, we fail to embrace the entire character of God.

In the excellent words of C.H. Spurgeon (whose entire message on this topic you can find [and I highly suggest you read!] here),

“…think of his sovereign goodness toward his chosen people. O, my soul, go thou back into eternity and see thy name in God’s book of predestinating, unchanging grace! And then come down to the time of redemption, and see there thy Saviour bleeding and agonizing. O my soul, there were drops of goodness before, but O, rivers of goodness roll before thee now! When thou sawest the Son of God groaning, agonizing, shrieking, dying, buried in his grave, and then rising again, thou sawest the goodness of God. …Put the two together, goodness and sovereignty, and you see God’s glory. If you take sovereignty alone, you will not understand God. Some people only have an idea of God’s sovereignty, and not of his goodness; such are usually gloomy, harsh, and ill-humored. You must put the two together; that God is good, and that God is a sovereign. You must speak of sovereign grace. God is not grace alone, he is sovereign grace. He is not sovereign alone, but he is graciously sovereign. That is the best idea of God. When Moses said, “I beseech thee, show me thy glory,” God made him see that he was glorious, and that his glory was his sovereign goodness. Surely, beloved, we cannot be wrong in loving the doctrine of free, unmerited, distinguishing grace, when we see it thus mentioned as the brightest jewel in the crown of our covenant God.”

Friends, this attribute of God means that every aspect of His plan for our future (though unknown to us) is His good gift to us! This week let us marvel in the glorious, abundant goodness of God past, present, and future. Let His past and present faithfulness give us both cause to rejoice, and cause to trust Him with our futures.

“This is my anthem
This is my song
The theme of the stories
I’ve heard for so long

God has been faithful
He will be again
His loving compassion
It knows no end

All I have need of
His hand will provide
He’s always been faithful to me”

(Sara Groves, ©2001)

Filed under: Attributes of God, Faith, Knowing God