PRÉCIS ON WHO’S BOSS: GOD’S ABSOLUTE SOVEIGNTY UNIMPEDED IN THE LAST DAYS

SCRIPTURE. “The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nought; He makes the thoughts and plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of His heart through all generations.” – PSALM 33:10-11, AMPC

KEY TERM: “NO EFFECT.” ‘Nu’ [ הֵ֝נִ֗יא]: “A primitive root, ‘To forbid, hinder, dissuade, refuse, or neutralize; to disallow, discourage.’” NOTE: “The verb נוּא (nû’) is used in the Hebrew Bible to convey the act of refusing or forbidding something. It can also imply dissuading someone from a course of action or neutralizing an effect or influence.”

QUOTATION. “To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the Almighty, the Possessor of all power in Heaven and Earth, so that none can defeat His Counsels, thwart His Purpose, or resist His Will (Ps. 115:3). To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is: ‘The Governor among the nations!’ (Ps. 22:28), setting up kingdoms, overthrowing empires, and determining the course of dynasties as pleaseth Him best. To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the ‘Only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords’ (1 Tim. 6:15).

‘Such is the God of the Bible. How different is the God of the Bible from the God of Modern Christendom! ‘The conception of Deity which prevails most widely today, even among those who profess to give heed to the Scriptures, is a miserable caricature, a blasphemous travesty of the Truth. The God of the twentieth century is a helpless, effeminate being who commands the respect of no really thoughtful man. The God of the popular mind is the creation of a maudlin sentimentality. The God of many a present-day Pulpit is an object of pity rather than of awe-inspiring reverence.” ― Arthur W. Pink, The Sovereignty of God, 1919; edited

Huzzah!

COMMENTARY. “‘The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen, or, of the nations to naught’ — Though Nations combine themselves and their counsels together, yet He defeats them when he pleases. Thus, He passes from the Work of Creation to the Works of Providence, and from the instances of His Power, in senseless and irrational creatures, to His Power in overruling the thoughts, and wills, and actions of men, whether single or united. ‘The Counsel of the Lord standeth for ever!’ — All His Purposes and Designs, and especially those which concern His chosen people, of whom He speaks in the next verse, are always successful and irresistible.” – JOSEPH BENSON, Notes on the Holy Bible, 5 vols., 1811-1818; edited

DK’S TAKE. There is a popular clothing line created in 1989 whose brand is signified by just two words: “No fear.” Greater Truth is that every true follower of Jesus Christ has fuller access to the Source of the privilege of walking in such Boldness for God’s Love and Truth. But most do not do so, for one simple yet crucial reason.

They have not ‘Sold Out’ to Christ 100%.

To be honest, it took me 35 years to find my way into circumstances that demanded A CHOICE: I was asked by God to jump ‘Full in’ to my walk with Him, or accept the consequences of a half-way commitment to God. And the means by which He forced the decision was through a Question if immense importance:

“Would you be willing to die for Me if I require it?

Now that thought will get you up in the morning, boys and girls. And as I have said in previous Commentaries, it took me a good while to answer, “Yes,” with full conviction.

But ever since that day just a few years ago, I have experienced a heady freedom and joy for Christ never before experienced.

As DIETRICH BONHOEFFER expressed it so perfectly, cited by this writer more than once: “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die” (The Cost of Discipleship, 1937). This, my friends, is the Great Door through which we must all walk, if we are to love and serve God with all our heart, soul, and mind. So do I issue a shout to you all:

Come on in, beloved, the Water’s fine