His Sovereignty

His Sovereignty

With God nothing is impossible. When our hearts lay hold on that fact and feed on it until our souls have absorbed it, we will know a great personal blessing.

The hymn writers of the centuries have found this to be true, and have given us a series of word combinations that are unique in our language. They show how souls in search of spiritual food have found all- sufficient supply in the Lord and His grace. "My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply." This line from "How Firm a Foundation" includes the "all" which swells the sufficiency of divine grace to its proper proportions. Go on through hymnology:

He with all-commanding might,
Filled the new-made world with light.

See Israel's gentle Shepherd stand
With all-engaging charms . . .

'Tis God's all-animating voice
 That calls thee from on high . . .

O that the world might know
The all-atoning Lamb!

The name all-victorious of Jesus extol;
His kingdom is glorious, and rules over all.

He ever lives above, For me to intercede;
His all-redeeming love, His precious blood to plead.

One ray of Thine all-quickening light
Dispels the clouds and dark of night.

Peace on earth, good will to men, From Heaven's all-gracious King.
Jesus, Thine all-victorious love
Shed in my heart abroad.

If the words are taken together they begin to form a picture of our Lord, all-powerful, all-gracious, all-sufficient, and all in all. And when there are sorrows which overtake us, we may be sure that they have been measured to our need and our ability to endure.

Obey, thou restless heart, be still
And wait in cheerful hope, content To
take whate'er His gracious will, His
all-discerning love, hath sent.

1. How does the sovereignty of God inform us how to pray for others? How to handle anxiety? How to plan? How to preach to unbelievers?
2. If our ability to endure is only found in the Lord, what part in perseverance do I play?
3. Do you find the fact that God is totally in control comforting or uncomfortable? Explain why.