THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD LIES BEHIND EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS
And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Genesis 2:16-17 NIV
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9 NIV
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:2-8 NIV
What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:9-11 NIV
‘“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”Revelation 4:11 NLT
FOUR PILLARS
1. GOD IS WISE
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT
You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. Genesis 50:20 NLT
2. GOD IS ALSO MYSTERIOUS
He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV
Are we only fish to be caught and killed? Are we only sea creatures that have no leader? Habakkuk 1:14 NLT
Why then does my suffering continue? Why is my wound so incurable? Your help seems as uncertain as a seasonal brook, like a spring that has gone dry.” Jeremiah 15:18 NLT
3. WE CANNOT LET WHAT WE CANNOT KNOW DESTROY WHAT WE CAN ENJOY
I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. Ecclesiastes 3:12 NIV
That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3:13 NIV
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Matthew 6:34 NLT
4. REST IN THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD
‘I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him. Ecclesiastes 3:14 NIV
Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. Job 1:21 CSB
‘Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account. Ecclesiastes 3:15 NIV
‘But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. Acts 2:23-24 NLT