MONDAY September 24, 2018
God’s Sovereignty
“The bows of the mighty men are broken, and those who stumbled are girded with strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, and the hungry have ceased to hunger. Even the barren has borne seven, and she who has many children has become feeble.”
1 Samuel 2:4-5
Hannah had been blessed with a child, and she praised God for answered prayer. The birth of Samuel gave her so much joy, as much as if she had seven children. Hannah prayed for a child and was blessed to know Samuel was dedicated to God––lent into His service. God had increased Hannah’s position in life, and Penniah’s, had decreased.
In His sovereignty, the Lord lifts up one and puts down another. In the story of Esther, we see God’s sovereign hand at work. Haman was a man full of pride and arrogance. King Ahasuerus had promoted him above all the princes. People bowed to Haman to show him obeisance, but Mordecai, who was a Jew, would not bow to him. Haman’s pride was wounded; he became full of anger, and not only sought to kill Mordecai, but he wanted to annihilate all the Jews in the kingdom (Esther 3).
God, in His sovereignty, used Esther, a beautiful, young orphaned woman, to save His people. Esther was chosen to become the king’s new queen above all the other women who were brought before the king. Hearing the plight of her people, she went before King Ahasuerus and interceded for the lives of her people (Esther 2, 4-5).
Meanwhile, Haman sought to hang Mordecai, but the Lord exalted and honored him. Haman had no knowledge that Esther was Jewish. The Lord humbled Haman, and, in the end, he was hung on the gallows he had built for Mordecai. The Lord in His sovereignty saved Mordecai.
Thank God for His sovereign work in saving your life through Christ.
No matter what season of life you’re in—we all have something to seek God for. But what happens when God is seemingly silent or doesn’t answer a prayer the way we’d like? In these times, it’s important to understand the nature of God, His sovereignty and His love.
~Billy Graham~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!