Tag Archives: Sovereignty

Victory Belongs to the Lord

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Reading the Word

Proverbs 21:30–31 (ESV)
30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.

Understanding and Applying the Word

The final two verses of Proverbs 21 go together. Verse 30 states a general truth and verse 31 gives a specific illustration of that truth. We are first told that there is nothing that can stand against the Lord. There is no wisdom, there is no understanding, and there is no counsel that can prevail against what God has set in place. Mankind may plan battles and bring its powers together, but it is God who determines the outcome. Victory belongs to the Lord.

The truth of God’s sovereignty has been discussed previously as we have been going through Proverbs. It is no surprise to find it again. Understanding that God is in control should bring us great comfort. It means that when things feel out of our control, we can trust the One who is Lord over all. He is on our side and he is good. God has not told us every detail of his plans or the timing of how things will unfold in this world, but he has told us the end result. Sin and evil will be judged and Christ’s people will dwell in the presence of God for eternity. There will be a last battle before that day, but the outcome has already been determined. Victory belongs to the Lord!

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God Holds Kings

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Reading the Word

“The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” (Proverbs 21:1, ESV)

Understanding and Applying the Word

Lest we forget who is truly in control of things, this proverb reminds us. Many kings have come and gone who accumulated much wealth and power and believed themselves to be the highest power on the earth. Not so! God is Lord over all. He is the Sovereign One and holds kings and leaders and governments in his hand. All things are under the authority of God!

Do you ever worry about the future? Do you wonder where the world is headed? Take heart in knowing that God is on the throne and that his plans and purposes are being fulfilled. This does not mean everything will be easy for us in this world, but we know that for those who love God, all things work for good (Romans 8:28). God’s plans are in place and the destination is sure. There is no reason to fear.

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Nothing to Chance

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Reading the Word

“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” (Proverbs 16:33, ESV)

Understanding and Applying the Word

In the time this proverb was written, the casting of lots was used to make some decisions. A “lot” was a stone that was thrown down and, based on what side it landed on, could be used to remove bias from a decision. Casting lots could be compared to rolling a die for such a decision today.

In the previous verses of this chapter, we see that carefully laid plans of the heart are fully in the control of God (cf. Proverbs 16:1, 9). Now, we are also told that even what seems to be random is under the sovereign hand of God. Its every decision is from the Lord. Nothing is truly random. God leaves nothing to chance.

Whatever you may be going through and whatever you may be struggling with, know that the Lord is sovereign and his plans and purposes are being fulfilled. Our God is the Almighty and we can trust in him. Go to him with your questions or concerns and go to him with your praises for holding you in his hands at very moment.

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Everything for Its Purpose

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Reading the Word

“The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.” (Proverbs 16:4, ESV)

Understanding and Applying the Word

When you start talking about God’s sovereignty, some become very uncomfortable. It is a theme that you find throughout Scripture, even here in Proverbs 16. Read through the entire chapter. Notice that the chapter begins and ends with statements about the Lord’s sovereignty and includes multiple statements of the same theme in between. To put it quite simply, the Lord is in control. Always.

Why do some become uncomfortable when the subject of God’s sovereignty comes up? Well, some believe that a loving God could not allow bad things to happen to good people. This sounds compelling on the surface, but it misses the fact that God can use what we think of as “bad” to accomplish good things. In fact, this is what Romans 8:28 teaches us. All things work together for the good of those who love God. All of those bad things are for the good of God’s people. Is it better to say that the bad things that happen to us are random and meaningless? Is that more comforting than saying that our loving God is using those things for a good purpose? Today’s proverb is a reminder that all things have a purpose and their purpose is in the hands of the sovereign and loving God.

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Living Without Fear

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Reading the Word

Luke 13:31–33 (ESV)

31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. 33 Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’

Understanding and Applying the Word

It is interesting that some Pharisees went to Jesus to warn him about Herod. The Pharisees did not like Jesus. Were they genuinely warning Jesus? Were they simply trying to scare Jesus away?

Jesus was not concerned with the news the Pharisees brought. He was not afraid of Herod. By calling Herod a “fox”, Jesus communicated that he felt Herod was insignificant and without honor. Instead of running away in fear, Jesus intended to continue doing what the Father intended for him. He would finish his course.

Jesus was sold out to do the will of the Father regardless of the opposition. No earthly ruler or power could prevent that. He did not fear others and neither should we. We too must be willing to live fully for our Lord knowing that he is the one truly in power and control. We have no reason to fear those who are opposed to Christ. Our God reigns!

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Deliver Me, O Lord

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Reading the Word

Psalm 140:1–13 (ESV)

1 Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men;
preserve me from violent men,
2 who plan evil things in their heart
and stir up wars continually.
3 They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s,
and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah

4 Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;
preserve me from violent men,
who have planned to trip up my feet.
5 The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,
and with cords they have spread a net;
beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah

6 I say to the LORD, You are my God;
give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O LORD!
7 O LORD, my Lord, the strength of my salvation,
you have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked;
do not further their evil plot, or they will be exalted! Selah

9 As for the head of those who surround me,
let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!
10 Let burning coals fall upon them!
Let them be cast into fire,
into miry pits, no more to rise!
11 Let not the slanderer be established in the land;
let evil hunt down the violent man speedily!

12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
and will execute justice for the needy.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
the upright shall dwell in your presence.

Understanding and Applying the Word

This psalm is attributed to David. In these verses, he calls out to God to save him from the wicked and evil men who want to destroy him. David knows that it is God who gives him strength for battle and protects him in the fight. In the second half of the psalm (vv. 9-13), David calls on the Lord to judge those who are evil.

Life in this world will include its share of troubles. Many of the troubles will be the result of conflict with other people. Some of the conflict may be our own fault. Perhaps we said something we should not have. A simple apology may go a long way to make things better. However, there will be times when another (others) desire our harm for no good reason. They attack because we belong to God or because our lives bear witness to truth that contradicts their choices in life.

When we face such evil, we can be encouraged because we are not the first. In fact, Jesus himself faced such opposition (John 15:18). We can also find comfort in knowing that God is in control. He provides strength and protection to his people. He does not leave us alone, but goes into battle with us. And we know that he will ultimately judge all evil and purge it from the world. We can trust in him and give thanks even in the face of difficulty.

**Want to read the Bible every day? Be sure to subscribe to this page and follow along! We are currently reading through the Book of Psalms. In 2019, we will focus on the Life of Christ for our daily readings.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

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Psalm 13914 [widescreen]

I hope you enjoy reading the Bible each day with Shaped by the Word. I do not publish devotional material on Sundays, but I do include a Scripture reading. Please be sure to subscribe to this page so you can follow along as we read through the Book of Psalms in 2018. Wondering what we will be doing in 2019? We will be reading through the Life of Christ from the four Gospels.

Reading the Word

Psalm 139:13–24 (ESV)

13 For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.

19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
O men of blood, depart from me!
20 They speak against you with malicious intent;
your enemies take your name in vain.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
22 I hate them with complete hatred;
I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!

The Lord’s Purpose for Me

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Reading the Word

Psalm 138:1–8 (ESV)

1 I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
2 I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.
3 On the day I called, you answered me;
my strength of soul you increased.

4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD,
for they have heard the words of your mouth,
5 and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD,
for great is the glory of the LORD.
6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly,
but the haughty he knows from afar.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.
8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Understanding and Applying the Word

As we read these last several psalms, we find the central theme of praise. In Psalm 138, we once again find this theme and a focus on God’s steadfast love and faithfulness as the reason for our praise. It is God who answers prayer and it is God who is a helper in times of trouble (vv. 3, 7).

The psalmist concludes this psalm by saying, “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me.” This is a wonderful statement of confidence in the Lord’s faithfulness. God has a purpose for his people, not just collectively, but individually. Whatever we may face in life, we can find hope and a reason for thanksgiving because the Lord has a purpose and will fulfill it. And we know that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). So, let us learn to give thanks knowing that our God is great and he is faithful.

**Want to read the Bible every day? Be sure to subscribe to this page and follow along! We are currently reading through the Book of Psalms. In 2019, we will focus on the Life of Christ for our daily readings.

Unless the Lord Builds the House

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Reading the Word

Psalm 127:1–5 (ESV)

1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate

Understanding and Applying the Word

What are you counting on for success? If you are counting on your own efforts and abilities, you labor in vain. It is God alone who gives blessing and success. This is a difficult truth for many of us to accept because we want to take credit for the good things in our lives. But a proper understanding of who God is will lead us to praise and thanksgiving for all he has done for us.

The second half of this psalm stresses that even our children are a blessing from the Lord. They are a blessing to parents and they too are in the hands of the sovereign God. This is a great comfort to parents because we can trust the One who is over all as our children grow, mature, and begin to live independently as adults. It is God who builds the house and protects the city. Let us not be anxious while trusting in ourselves, but let us rest in his loving care.

**Shaped by the Word is a daily Bible reading devotional. Please use the links at the bottom to subscribe to this page. You can also share this post with your friends through social media using the buttons below. Thanks for reading!

The Lord Who Is on Our Side

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Reading the Word

Psalm 124:1–8 (ESV)

1 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side— let Israel now say— 2 if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us, 3 then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; 4 then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; 5 then over us would have gone the raging waters. 6 Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! 7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! 8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Understanding and Applying the Word

This psalm observes that if the Lord had not been on the side of Israel, they would have been defeated. The enemy would have triumphed over the people and destroyed them. But God was on the side of Israel and the people escaped.

Romans 8:31 states, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” The Apostle Paul’s point in this verse is that if the sovereign God stands on our side, we are assured victory. Paul goes on to say that this is the same God who sent his Son to die for us. And if God was willing to pay such a huge price to save us, he is not going to just give us up. When we trust in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we are brought into the family of God. We are his and he stands on our side. Let us go into the world with confidence knowing that our salvation is secure and we have nothing to fear.

**Shaped by the Word is a daily Bible reading devotional. Please use the links at the bottom to subscribe to this page. You can also share this post with your friends through social media using the buttons below. Thanks for reading!