December 23
Bible Reading: Daniel 2:20-23; Ephesians 1:11
An organizational chart in a company outlines relationships and authority, with the person at the top in charge of everything. In the universe, that authority belongs to God, the Creator, who rules with absolute power and wisdom, directing everything according to His will and purposes.
This truth is both comforting and difficult to understand. Many struggle with questions like, “If God is sovereign, why did He allow sin, death, and suffering?” A. W. Tozer addressed this by explaining that while the origin of sin remains mysterious, God, in His sovereign wisdom, allows evil in limited areas of creation, knowing its influence is temporary and confined.
Another common question concerns the balance between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. How can God be in control and still hold people accountable for their actions? This question has sparked debate, leading to theological divides. The Bible, however, shows that God often uses human choices—good or sinful—to fulfill His divine plan (see Genesis 50:20 and Acts 2:23).
Joel Beeke illustrated this balance by comparing the doctrines of sovereignty and responsibility to parallel train tracks that seem to merge in the distance. Though we cannot fully understand this mystery in this life, we are called to hold both truths in balance.
Above all, we can take comfort in knowing that God is in control of the universe. Humanity is not adrift; God is guiding it precisely to His intended destination. As Tozer says, “We know that God will fulfill every promise made to the prophets; we know that sinners will someday be cleansed out of the earth; we know that a ransomed company will enter into the joy of God and that the righteous will shine forth in the kingdom of their Father; we know that God’s perfections will yet receive universal acclamation, that all created intelligences will own Jesus Christ as Lord to the glory of God the Father, that the present imperfect order will be done away, and a new heaven and a new earth will be established forever.”
“Cheer up, Christian! Things are not left to chance: no blind fate rules the world. God hath purposes, and those purposes are fulfilled. God hath plans, and those plans are wise, and never can be dislocated.”—Charles Spurgeon
GOD MOVES
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm
Deep in His dark and hidden mines
With never-failing skill
He fashions all His bright designs
And works His sovereign will
So God we trust in You
O God we trust in You
O fearful saints new courage take
The clouds that you now dread
Are big with mercy and will break
In blessings on your head
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense
But trust Him for His grace
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face
So God we trust in You
O God we trust in You
When tears are great
And comforts few
We hope in mercies ever new
We trust in You
God’s purposes will ripen fast
Unfolding every hour
The bud may have a bitter taste
But sweet will be the flower
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain
God is His own interpreter
And He will make it plain
LookingtoJesus 