From events and people that have gone before us, we can learn many valuable lessons. Today we’ll review briefly our commission to fully trust in the sovereignty of God.
As noted in our devotional thought for May 30, we observed that God’s sovereignty refers to His control over every event, every outcome in history. Nothing escapes His notice or approval, and everything works for His own glory and purposes as is clearly stated in Psalm 115:3: “Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.”
Should God close a door, no man can open it. If God opens a door no man can close it. When God chooses to protect us nothing can harm us. When He sends calamity no man can avoid it.
For instance: In a skirmish with the French and Indians in 1755, George Washington was the only officer not wounded or killed. Shortly thereafter he wrote: “…by the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me!”
Washington’s absolute confidence in the sovereignty of God saved countless lives. In fact, at one point in another skirmish with the French and Indians in November, 1758, his men were mistakenly shooting at each other. He shouted out “cease fire” but only a few heard him. Desperate to save lives, Washington charged into the crossfire. He used his sword to knock the soldiers’ guns up, making them fire into the air instead of at each other. Finally, the shooting stopped. Miraculously, Washington escaped without a scratch.
Reflecting back on this incident he later wrote: “My life was in as much jeopardy as it has ever been before or since.”
From George Washington we learn some invaluable lessons:
- The safest place in the universe is in the will of God.
- Resting in the sovereignty of God will result in a fruitful life because we will be in the center of His will. Consider how much Washington accomplished with his life!
- Resting in the sovereignty of God will make our life more exciting.
- Resting in the sovereignty of God will free us from worry.
Allow me to conclude with the wisdom of another faithful witness from the past, George Macdonald (1824-1905). On trusting God, MacDonald writes: “This is a sane, wholesome, practical, working faith: first, that it is a man’s business to do the will of God; second, that God takes on Himself the special care of that man; and third, that therefore that man ought never to be afraid of anything.”