Can God do all things?” That’s one of my favorite questions from the First Catechism, and I can always count on our kiddos to exclaim, “Yes!” Their enthusiasm warms my heart. Then I love to ask the follow-up question: Can God lie? Suddenly, the child’s brow furrows, and I can see his little mind working it out.
The correct answer to the catechism question is, “Yes, God can do all his holy will.” God can do whatever is consistent with his character; He cannot deny himself. So, Balaam explained to Balak, “God is not a man that he should lie” (Numbers 23:19).
The doctrine of God’s absolute sovereignty is one of enormous comfort to Christians. As a Boy Scout, I remember working on the requirements for my God and Country medal and facing withe question: what makes you afraid? “The dark,” I answered.
My mentor took me to Psalm 121, where, together, we read, “He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” It gave me peace to realize the all-powerful God never closes his eyes to sleep, and he always watches over his children.
As adults, rather than maturing in our understanding of and comfort from God’s sovereignty, we question it. Some imagine a God who created the world and then stepped away to let it unwind on its own. Others place a limit on God’s sovereignty – as though men or Satan can thwart his divine plan.
Scripture expresses a different perspective. Psalm 33:11 teaches us, “The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.” God declared through Isaiah, “…for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done…” (Isaiah 46:9-10). Or, as Jesus stated in a beautiful illustration, “And not one [sparrow] will fall to the ground apart from your Father” (Matthew 10:31).
God’s will is ultimate. But how does this comfort Christians? For one, he has unchangeably appointed the day, hour, and cause of your death. Nothing can change it, and you cannot extend your life or shorten it. Therefore you may live fearlessly (not carelessly), even during a plague. It is God’s will for you to fear him only. Second, if you truly belong to him through union with Christ, nothing can take that away he holds you by his power.
Three, nothing may come to pass that in any way obstructs, prevents, or prevails over God’s plan. Thus, Job could attribute all the circumstances of his life to God, “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10). Did you notice Satan disappeared entirely after the second chapter of Job?
Christian, so many circumstances in life tempt you to cower in fear, to hide under your covers and wait for death to take you. But this is not God’s will for you. The spirit of fear (cowardice) does not come from God (2 Timothy 1:7). Therefore, fear God only, put your trust in his sovereign power, and find the strength to live for his glory always.
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