Opposition to Rest and Thankfulness in God's Sovereignty

This phrase, "The Sovereignty of God," has had an amazing impact upon my life. My understanding of this phrase has been shaped mightily and supremely by God's Word, and then by the guidance and wisdom of such heroes as John Piper. All authority, in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus; I believe this, I rest in this, and I tremble at this. God's sovereign reign over all things - all events, all gifts, all tragedies, all authorities - is the most beautiful and freeing truths that I have ever experienced.

In light of all of this, what perplexes me the most is the opposition that has come against my understanding and resting in God's sovereignty over the past couple of years. Whether it be from myself, my family, my friends, co-workers, or Satan, opposition has come. If I am exaggerating, it is not by much, that I daily both rest in and doubt God's sovereignty over my life, as well as the lives of those around me. Many times I will leave my house in the morning certain of God's mighty hand guiding my life, realizing that He is infinitely worthy of my trust, yet lay my head on the pillow at night worrying that I will and have messed up my life, wondering if God is truly involved at all.

Nonetheless, again and again, I see the height and goodness of God's involvement in His Word. May we be gracious to those with opposing viewpoints, and may we humbly accept that we do not know or understand all, and may we be thankful for rebuke, but may we also fiercely protect the treasure of truth that our God, our awesome Heavenly Father, is amazingly, supremely, sovereign over all.

"The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us." - Acts 17:24-27