As I sit down to type out today’s post my mind passes over all the possible topics that could potentially be used as the primary subject. In current events Fidel Castro has announced he will no longer be ruler over Cuba, however this topic doesn’t seem to fit the purpose of this blog. In a recent episode of ER there was a scene that so perfectly illustrated the shortcomings of post-modern thought especially in religion, but I’ll just direct you to my brothers site for the video and his commentary.
Reading through the Psalms this morning I came across this verse: “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)
When reading this verse, and many of the psalms, I come away with an absolute sense of God’s sovereignty. The psalmist makes it clear – unless God does it, it won’t be done. Our God is a God that is in control! For some this is a fearful thought, but for the psalmists it was a comforting thought. If our God is in total control then “Those who trust in the LORD, are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.” (Psalm 125:1) Even if one thing was beyond God’s control that verse would be useless.
Some might respond: “If everything under God’s control then I must not be held responsible for my actions.” But we know from scripture that this is not true. Sticking with the psalms “If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, That You may be feared. (Psalm 130:3-4) The psalmist recognizes that he has done things which must be forgiven, marking personal responsibility. David wrote Psalm 51 as a prayer begging for forgiveness, taking responsibility for his sin.
So which is it? Is God Sovereign over all things or is man responsible for his own actions? The answer is a resounding “YES!” I empathize with the people that say “but that doesn’t make sense!”, but then again does a Holy God coming to earth as a man, and dying to redeem men that had acted in rebellion against Him make any sense? We accept, and learn about God’s love, justice, forgiveness, mercy, grace etc. because the Bible tells us what it is. We are have faith in a triune God regardless of the fact that no human can fully understand it. Why is it that we cannot accept the mystery of God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility that is so clearly taught over and over again in Scripture?
The answer must come down to pride. I still have rooted deep within me my human nature that does not want to give total control to anyone…I must keep at least some of it for myself! Or perhaps I have the arrogant attitude that I’m not responsible for my actions because “God made me do it.” O Lord! Create in me a heart that gives you all the glory. You deserve glory because you made a dead sinner alive. You deserve the glory for convicting my heart of sin for which I’m responsible and bringing me to repentance. You deserve glory for bringing me through trials. You deserve glory for giving me joy and satisfaction in giving you glory and praise! Oh how much glory you deserve, and how little I can offer.
