GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY IN SUFFERING
“. He (God) does as he pleases… “ (Daniel 4 NLT).
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Nothing brings God’s sovereignty to the forefront like a “season of suffering” or a test. Believers know God is sovereign, but don’t usually experience it until something happens for which they have NO control.
God’s sovereignty means God and God ONLY has complete, supreme authority, power, and control over everything (past, present and future), everybody, every event, and every “season of suffering.”
As the ultimate ruler of the universe, God has the RIGHT to allow or set in order ALL things, events, and people, according to his holy, divine will. “There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil”
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand…”(Job 1:1, 6-12 KJV).
In the book of Job, God demonstrates his sovereignty over Satan by setting boundaries regarding Job. God also demonstrates his sovereignty over events, people, and “seasons of suffering.”
Thus, God allowed these events, in Job’s life, to be set in motion when he says, “…Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? …” (Job 1:6-12 KJV).
The most asked question is “WHY?” God said Job “…was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil” (Job 1:1 KJV). God also said, “…my servant Job ... there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause” (Job 2:3 KJV).
We may ask God “why” he allowed Job to suffer and he would say “...there was no reason WHY...” “…although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause (reason)…” (Job 2:3 KJV). For SOME, this may be hard to accept but, nonetheless, God said, he allowed him to suffer “without cause” or for NO reason. READ IT in God’s own words. “…although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause (reason)…” (Job 2:3 KJV). Now what?
Job wasn’t guilty of anything. He wasn’t being punished or cursed for some secret sin. According to God, himself, Job “…was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil…” (Job 1:1 KJV). “Without cause,” therefore, God allowed Job to suffer through a horrendous “season of suffering.”
In God’s sovereignty he allowed Satan to be an instrument for Job’s suffering, - a man of “complete integrity”- and for NO logical REASON. “…to destroy him without cause (reason)…” (Job 2:3 KJV).
The book of Job was written for our learning and our admonition (Romans 15:4 & 1 Corinthians 10:11). Job’s story was written for our knowledge and as a warning.“…For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4 KJV).
“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Corinthians 10:11 KJV).
It is crystal clear that there was no cause or any other sufficient basis for Job’s suffering as far as God was concerned. However, Satan had a cause and that was to prove Job would curse God or become unfaithful to him, or disobedient through these trials. Yet, even though Satan “…intended to harm [Job]… God intended it for GOOD…” Genesis 50:20 NIV).
Job never once cursed God, was unfaithful, or disobedient. In fact, whether he understood God’s reasons or not; whether he agreed with God or not; he maintained his integrity during his “season of suffering.”
The story of Job reveals that Satan’s accusations were unfounded. Satan was his accuser like he is for ALL of God’s faithful servants. “…for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night” (Revelation 12:10 KJV).
During his “season of suffering,” the book of Job gives no proof of Job cursing God or casting away his integrity. Instead, the word says, “…And he (Job) has maintained his integrity…” (Job 2:3KJV).
He was clearly not the person Satan accused him of being. Yet it “seems” Satan had “…movedst [God]… against him, to destroy him without cause...” (Job 2:3 KJV).
The bible says God doesn’t change therefore Satan can’t truly influence the unchangeable, immutable nature of God. “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
Satan did proposition God in regard to Job. God, in his own sovereignty allowed it, which was strictly an act and decision of his own divine will. “...Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him...” (Psalms 115:3 NIV).
No one counsels God’s actions or decisions, especially Satan. God does as he pleases. “…O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor?..” (Romans 11:33-34 KJV).
Satan came into Job’s life, in an attempt to literally kill, steal, and destroy him to the brink or boundary of his soul, which he couldn’t touch. “…And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath (outwardly) is in thy power; only upon himself (his soul; his inward self) put not forth thine hand…”(Job 1:1, 6-12 KJV). Job became a man “undone” by all he had lost and this “without cause.”
The sovereign God allowed it and the sovereign God permitted it. Does God owe Job or “his” people an explanation when he allows suffering? “…All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4 NIV).
“All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He (God) does as he pleases (not mankind) with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4 NLT).
“Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him” (Psalms 115:3 NIV).
God’s sovereignty is supreme and the only proper response to it is respect and a willing submission. “…O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor?” (Romans 11:33-34 KJV). “…he does whatever pleases him” (Psalms 115:3 NIV).
“Are [you asking IF]… God was unfair? Of course [he’s]…not! For God said to Moses, “I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.” So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it...” (Romans 9:14-16 NLT).
When you go through “seasons of suffering” it is not unusual for you to question God’s sovereignty, especially when you don’t understand it or agreed with it. Therefore, when you don’t understand or agree with what has happened, or what is currently happening and it makes no human sense; it is normal to question God. However, just remember, “…he (God) does whatever pleases him” (Psalms 115:3 NIV).
Like it or not, “…[God]… does as he pleases (not mankind) with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4 NLT).
The only thing that is absolutely sure is that God does what he pleases with “….the powers of heaven and the people of the earth…” (Daniel 4 NLT). God allows or permits suffering because it is his sovereign right to do as he pleases, with HIS people, and “without cause” either.
No matter what the “…people of the earth...” think of what he allows or permits they are warned: “…Woe unto him that striveth (fights, disagrees, complains, makes judgements, etc.) with his Maker!” (Isaiah 45:9 KJV).
God is sovereign, holy, wise, kind, merciful, full of grace, presence, good, powerful “…[and]… great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD” (Psalms 117:2 KJV). “…Thou are GOOD and doest GOOD…” (Psalm 119:68 KJV).
The bible repeatedly says: “…for the lord is GOOD…” (Psalm 100:5 KJV). “…Oh how great is thy GOODNESS… (Psalm 31:19 KJV). “…for he is GOOD…” (Psalm 107:1 KJV). “..The lord is GOOD…” (Nahum 1:7 KJV). “…GOOD and upright is the Lord…” (Psalm 25:8 KJV). “…For thou, Lord, is GOOD…” (Psalm 86:5 KJV). “…O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is GOOD… ” (Psalms 106:1 KJV). “…O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is GOOD; for his mercy endureth for ever” (1 Chronicles…” 16:34 KJV).
There is NO ONE as merciful as God, either. “…Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY…” (Micah 7:18 KJV). “..Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of GRACE, that we may obtain mercy…” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV). God is“... RICH IN MERCY…” (Ephesians 2:1-5 KJV). (Isaiah 63:9 NASB). “…Mercy triumphs over judgement.” (James 2:13 NASB).
We may FREELY question God, because he’s GOOD and MERCIFUL, he will listen. AND, even though God is sovereign, he is EXTREMELY and INNATELY “LOVING” all the time, even during questions about his sovereign actions or how, his people, judge what he does or does not allow. “…Abraham remained standing before the Lord. Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” The Lord said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” Then Abraham spoke up again: “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes, what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five people?” “If I find forty-five there,” he said, “I will not destroy it.” Once again he spoke to him, “What if only forty are found there?” He said, “For the sake of forty, I will not do it.” Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?” He answered, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” Abraham said, “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?” He said, “For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it.” Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.” When the Lord had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home...” (Genesis 18:22-33 NIV).
God was good, kind, and merciful during Abraham’s questions about his sovereign actions. Abraham FREELY questioned God “about” his sovereign decision to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.
Ideally, it is better not to question God’s GOOD, sovereign decisions, but trust them, yet God’s people are only human. Maybe there is no available or ready cause for certain “seasons of suffering,” but “…as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are [God’s]… ways higher than your ways and [God’s]… thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah. 55:9 KJV).
If God chooses not to give a preferred or satisfactory, human reason or cause, for suffering; it is his prerogative. “…he does whatever pleases him” (Psalms 115:3 NIV).
God is EXTREMELY and INNATELY good and merciful. God is not trying to harm, his people, through “seasons of suffering,” but he promises them “hope” and a “future” (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV). “...For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end...” (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV).
God has the sovereign and divine right to do as he pleases in heaven, with the people he created, and upon earth. . “…The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein…” (Psalm 24:1 KJV).
The people of the earth have a will, and understand to some extent, what it feels like to do as YOU please or choose. God’s divine will is His right just like YOU believe, your human will, is YOUR God-given right.
Jesus said this about his own will to “lay down his life” in service to God: “…I lay down my life. …I have authority to lay it down …. This command I received from my Father...” (John 10:17-18 KJV).
God has GIVEN all of mankind the authority, through human will, to choose. “…I lay down my life. …I have authority to lay it down …. This command I received from my Father” (John 10:17-18 KJV). “…Choose you (MAKE A WILLFUL CHOICE) this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
He also has a right to revoke that authority, to make a willful choice, if he wanted to. “…The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. …” (Job 1:20-22 NASB).
However, God GAVE and created mankind in his image, which included a human “will” similar to his. God said, “….let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). “…A man (woman) can receive nothing, except it BE GIVEN him (her( from heaven…” (John 3:27 KJV). “…Every good GIFT and every perfect GIFT is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17 KJV). “…The LORD SHALL GIVE that which is good…” (Psalms 85:12 KJV). SO “…What do you have (including a human will) that God hasn’t given you?...” (1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT). “…. This command (to willfully choose to lay down his(Jesus’) life) I (Jesus) received from my Father...” (John 10:17-18 KJV).
Every redeemed soul, therefore, has been given the authority to make unrestricted, willful choices that allow them to live and do as they please. “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).
“Jesus saith…I am ...the life…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who CHOOSE that way. …” (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT).
The human will can create problems between God and the redeemed soul. In the Old Testament, when “…there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes...” (Judges 21:25 KJV).
God’s people often STOPPED listening to him and willfully followed their OWN stubborn choices. “…But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).
The choices made by the HUMAN WILL resulted in God’s people abandoning him. “…They ABANDONED ME and did not obey my word….” (JEREMIAH 16:11 NLT). “…They ABANDONED the Lord… they turned their backs on him….” (2 Chronicles 29:6 NLT).“…The Lord replies, “This has happened because my people have ABANDONED MY INSTRUCTIONS; they have refused to obey what I said….” (JEREMIAH 9:13 NLT).
The choices made by the HUMAN WILL resulted in God’s people forsaking him. “…once again we have ABANDONED your commands!..” (Ezra 9:10 NLT). “…they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them…” (Jeremiah 22:8-9 KJV).
Satan was kicked out of heaven because his will, given to him by God, made him prideful. He thought he could be as sovereign as God. “How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! …For you said to yourself, ‘I will…” (Isaiah 14:12-15 NLT).
“How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’ Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths” (Isaiah 14:12-15 NLT).
Satan, “the shining star, son of the morning” was cast out of heaven (Revelation 12:4, 9; Luke 10:18; Isaiah 14:12).
Obviously, the “will” can fill you with pride and puff you up with arrogance. Like Satan, you may begin to think you can also CHOOSE to, “…climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High…’ ” (Isaiah 14:12-15 NLT).
God creates humans with a “will” and the authority to USE it to make decisions. Humans have a human will and God has a sovereign will, which means he is ULTIMATELY in CONTROL. “…He [God, the Holy Spirit, not HUMANS, sovereignly and ultimately] does whatever pleases him…” (Psalms 115:3 NIV).
The human will wants to be in control, but God is the ONLY one with the true abd sovereign control of EVERY single THING or PERSONS. “…He [not mankind, sovereignly and ultimately] does whatever pleases him…” (Psalms 115:3 NIV).
And more often than not, God will uses and allows a “season of suffering” to demonstrate his ultimate sovereignty. “…those who walk in pride… [God] is able to humble” (Daniel 4:37 NIV).
If you read my last book, do you remember willful and prideful King Nebuchadnezzar, who boasted of his small sphere of control? “...he said, “Is not this the great Babylon “I” have built as the royal residence, by “my” mighty power and for the glory of “my” majesty?” (Daniel 4).
THE BACK STORY: “I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. I had a dream that made me afraid. So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me, but they could not interpret it for me. Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream.
“This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar (another name for Daniel), tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
Belteshazzar answered, “My lord…The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds— Your Majesty, you are that tree!
You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth. “Your Majesty saw a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground.
Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’ “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven.
Seven times (years) will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.
Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.”
All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon “I” have built as the royal residence, by “my” mighty power and for the glory of “my” majesty?”
Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox.
Seven times (years) will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.” Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled.
He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.
At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”
At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before.
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride (self-will) he is able to humble (Daniel 4 NIV).
The king FREELY made his CHOICE and God FREELY made his. God is in control, but he is not controlling. Every individual can make a decision, but they can not decide on the outcome of those decisions.
God is sovereign over the tests, and trials he allows, yet the human “will” wasn’t designed or created to be controlled. In the story of King Nebuchadnezzar, ultimately, he had to voluntarily decide or choose to humble his human “will” under God’s sovereign control “...[Willfully choose to]...humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor...” (1 Peter 5:6).
King Nebuchadnezzar voluntarily, decided, to surrender to God’s sovereignty. “...At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven…. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever…” (Daniel 4 NIV).
King Nebuchadnezzar further teaches us that having a human “will” is the God-given authority to choose, but it doesn’t have ultimate sovereignty. However, God’s will does. “...All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He (God) does as he pleases (not mankind or human will) with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?...” (Daniel 4 NLT).
God’s holy and ultimate sovereignty is his right to do as HE pleases. Your human will is God’s bestowed authority to choose, which gives people a license, issued by HIM, to decide as they please. “…The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein…” (Psalm 24:1 KJV).
God doesn’t want mankind to forget “…the world is mine, and the fulness thereof…” (Psalm 50:12 KJV). “…Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine…” (1 Chronicles 29:11 KJV).
Yes, you have the God-given authority to decide or choose as you please, but the human “will” is a created gift. Therefore, “…What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?...” (1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT).
Doing whatever and nobody can stop you, can become intoxicating. It can always puff you up and make you become prideful. So be careful and remember, “…If the Lord will, [YOU] shall live, and do this, or that...” (James 4:16 KJV).
King Nebuchadnezzar forgot his human will was a God-given authority “created” by God, but NOT sovereign authority like God’s. “…All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon “I” have built as the royal residence, by “my” mighty power and for the glory of “my” majesty?” (Daniel 4 NI V).
“….Do not forget that [God]… led you through ... He gave you water …He fed you…. He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful ...” (Deuteronomy 8:17-17 NLT).
The KING said: “...Is not this the great Babylon “I” have built as the royal residence, by “my” mighty power and for the glory of “my” majesty?” (Daniel 4 NI V).
The WORD said: “…For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?...” (1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT).
The human “will” can cause pride to confuse a person’s bestowed, God-given authority as sovereign, when that kind of CONTROL belongs “ONLY” to the LIVING God of all of creation.
King Nebuchadnezzar made that mistake, but finally came to respect and submit to the sovereignty of the LIVING God of ALL creation. “At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven…. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever… Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (Daniel 4 NIV).
An example of God-given authority is similar to a young child living with his parents. The parents own everything, control everything, and oversee everything, which gives them ultimate rights and sovereignty. The child, however, is bestowed the authority, from the parents, to liberally share all they have as if it’s their very own.
If the child begins to abuse that authority the parents would, mostly likely, usurp their sovereign authority to remind the child who is ultimately in charge.
If the child doesn’t obey, the parents may begin to revoke some of the child’s parent-given privileges.
King Nebuchadnezzar lost everything he took authoritative pride in, such as what he had built, his power, and his majesty. “Is not this the great Babylon “I” have built as the royal residence, by “my” mighty power and for the glory of “my” majesty?” (Daniel 4 NIV). Who was in ultimately in control, him or God?
Because the human will is or has been enslaved to sin, it can cause people to abuse the God-given authority HE has given them. Willful pride can lead to some of the greatest abuses of all because it is influenced or enslaved by the “evil one”.
“We know that we are God’s children, and that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19 RSV).
God knows the human “will” can lead to trouble if not willfully and voluntarily put under the sovereignty of God’s DIVINE will. Apostle Paul talked about the troubles he had with his own human “will” that was influenced by the sinful nature. He said:
“...The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin (through the sinful nature). I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t.
I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want (WILL) to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I [am] …a slave to the sin that is … within me (within my sinful nature). Oh, what a miserable person I am!
Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin (self-will through the old sinful nature)? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
We are to learn and be admonished after reading and studying the book of Job. “… whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning…” (Romans 15:4 KJV).
“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition…” (1 Corinthians 10:11 KJV).
God’s people learn that in this life they (those in antiquity and in the 21st century) all have a “common destiny.” “...So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God’s hands, but no one knows whether love or hate awaits them. All share a common destiny—… The same destiny overtakes all. … time and chance happen to them all so people are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them…” (Ecclesiastes 9 NIV).
“For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them” (Ecclesiastes 9:12 KJV).
“….People are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them…” (Ecclesiastes 9 NIV). “…All share a common destiny …” (Ecclesiastes 9 NIV).
However, those “IN” Christ have the guaranteed promise “...that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose…” (ROMANS 8:28 KJV).
So whether you understand your suffering or not; whether it is “without cause” or not; whether it is unjust or just; whether you agree with it or not; whether God permitted and initiated it or not; whether you are faithful, blameless, righteous, perfect, upright, full of integrity, or not – GOD IS SOVEREIGN and “…he does whatever pleases him…” (Psalms 115:3 NIV).
The bottom line: “All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He (God) does as he pleases (not mankind) with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4 NLT).
Job gained a deeper respect for God’s sovereignty. “...Then Job answered the Lord, and said, I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee… now mine eye seeth thee…” (Job 42:1, 6 KJV).
Job had justified himself whether than God. He defended himself and his righteousness whether than God, who allowed his suffering, and HIS righteous decision. God’s corrected Job through Elihu. “…Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu ... against Job ...because he justified himself rather than God. Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job...” (Job 33:1-10 KJV).
For those “IN” Christ, there are some things the Word of God teaches about suffering. “…Christ suffered for [us]…, leaving [us]… an example, that [we] should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly…” (1 Peter 2:20-23 NIV).
First lesson, “… [when he (Jesus) suffered,] …he entrusted himself to him who judges justly...” (1 Peter 2:19-23 NIV). “…that ye(redeemed souls) should follow his steps…” (1 Peter 2:21 KJV). “...Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things he suffered…” (Hebrews 5:8 KJV).
“….he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin…” (1 Peter 4:1 KJV).
“…if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God…” (1 Peter 2:20-23 NIV).
“…the suffering of this present time ARE NOT worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us…” (Romans 8:18 KJV).
“...all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose…”(ROMANS 8:28 KJV).
“…So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation…” (1 Peter 5:10 NLT).
“…The Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: … So Job died, being old, and FULL of days...” (Job 42:12-17 KJV).
Remember, Joseph went from prison to a high position, after a “season of suffering.” “Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. …“And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”…Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”…So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command,[and people shouted before him, “Make way!” Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt…” (Genesis 41 NIV).
After suffering in the fiery furnace, the Hebrew boys were also promoted. …Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon” (Daniel 3 KJV).
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (James 1:12 KJV).
Whatever you lose or give up, during a “season of suffering,” for God’s sake; God gives you a powerful promise: “...Then Peter began to speak up ‘We’ve given up everything to follow you,’ he said. ‘Yes,’ Jesus replied, ‘and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive NOW in return a hundred times as many houses, brother, sisters, mothers, children, and property – along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life…” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT).
Therefore, “...Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).
“The steps of a good man (woman) are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way” (Psalms 37:23 KJV).
God is saying: "…Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness…” (Isaiah 43:19-20 NASB).
"I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images. "Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you." (Isaiah 42:9 NASB).
“...I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along “unfamiliar” paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them...” (Isaiah 42:16 NIV).
Again, “…When he suffered …he entrusted himself to him who judges justly...” (1 Peter 2:19-23 NIV). “…that ye should follow his steps…” (1 Peter 2:21 KJV).
“…After you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation” (1 Peter 5:10 NLT).
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