Text: Genesis 18:9-15

9 And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife?  And he said, Behold, in the tent. 10 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life;  and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age;  and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.   12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?  13 And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?  14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD?  At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. 15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not;  for she was afraid.   And he said, Nay;  but thou didst laugh.  

Wednesday, 10^th April 2024

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS SOVEREIGN 2

Text: Genesis 18:9-15

Memory verse: Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

If God is sovereign, why is there sin and suffering in this world? And if a sovereign God would allow sin and suffering to be present in this world, does their presence mean that He is not good? God is in sovereign control, but not all things that occur have been caused by Him. Take sin for example. Sin exists, but God did not create it. Sin is not so much a creation as it is a distortion. It's the effect of rebellion against God. Satan was free to rebel against God, and he chose to do so. Adam was free to rebel against God and he likewise chose to do so. The sin and suffering that are present in this world exist as the logical effect of these acts of rebellion. God has temporarily allowed them, but He didn't cause them.

The Scripture makes it clear that it is God's sovereign plan to remedy what humanity has damaged. From eternity past, God the Father planned our salvation. God the Son came to this earth and accomplished it, and God the Holy Spirit continues to apply the effects of salvation to our lives daily.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

It is God's sovereign plan to restore this fallen world. Creation currently sighs as it awaits its restoration to the perfection it enjoyed before the fall of mankind when it was subsequently cursed. Apostle Paul said in Romans 8:20-22 "For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.  For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now."  It is also God's sovereign plan to welcome redeemed mankind into His presence for all eternity and restore the kind of relationship that was enjoyed by Adam and Eve before they sinned against Him. Revelation 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God." 

Again, as we dwell on this attribute of God, our hearts should be prompted to be at peace. We don't have to control everyone and everything around us. That's not something we can accomplish anyway. The Holy Spirit is in control, and He even makes a point to turn situations in our lives that seemed like they were meant for our harm into circumstances that work for our ultimate good. He strengthens us through our trials. He grants us joy during our pain. He blesses us with hope when it is tempting to feel hopeless. Our self-existent God is sovereign, and our sovereign God is good.

CGDS Hymn 9; SS&S 577:

I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR

1. I need Thee every hour,

Most gracious Lord;

No tender voice like Thine

Can peace afford.

Refrain

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee ;

Every hour I need Thee ;

Oh, bless me now, my Saviour !

I come to Thee.

2. I need Thee every hour,

Stay Thou near by ;

Temptations lose their power

When Thou art nigh.

3. I need Thee every hour,

In joy or pain ;

Come quickly and abide,

Or life is vain.

4. I need Thee every hour ;

Teach me Thy will ;

And Thy rich promises

In me fulfil.

5. I need Thee every hour,

Most Holy One :

Oh, make me Thine indeed,

Thou blessed Son.

   Prayers:

1.  Holy Spirit, deliver me all-round with your sovereign power.

2.  LORD God Almighty, restore every wasted years back to me by Your sovereign power in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  Pray for others in this regard.