Sovereignty, One Diamond in God’s Multicarat Ring by Dr Howard Eyrich

Editor’s Note: In a recent blog, I shared God is More than Sovereign by Jonathan Worthington. Dr. Howard Eyrich read that blog and appreciated his simple thesis that God is much greater than merely sovereign. As Dr. Eyrich was reading his morning devotions, with the article in mind, and reflecting on his son-in-law’s suffering, he ran across another psalm (Psalm 121) that helped him consider God’s marvelous character – the beauty of which matches a beautiful diamond. God is certainly much more than merely sovereign. You’ll enjoy this read.

Sovereignty, One Diamond in God’s Multicarat Ring

By Dr. Howard Eyrich

 

Expansion

In his introduction to the article by Jonathan Worthington that recently published from The Gospel Coalition on KevinCarson.com, Kevin wrote, “[H]e suggests that we cannot ever simply think of God as just or merely sovereign. He is also wise and good. When one takes these three together, then you get a better understanding of God. To simply say that God is sovereign, is to limit your understanding and limit your worship – especially as one in suffering, grief, or disappointment.”

This article appeared as my son-in-law, a PCA Pastor, is sitting in a hospital room immediately post-Covid. He preached the past Sunday after three weeks out of the pulpit fighting his way through the virus. Then, on Monday, suffered chest pain and was hospitalized and diagnosed with pneumonia, but not Covid in nature, some odd strain yet to be identified.

 

Historical Context

What you need to know to fully understand my response to this article is that five years ago my son-in-law dramatically collapsed after the last sentence of his sermon at the first servie Sunday morning. The doctor and the nurse who saved his life were providentially restrained from not being in the congregation that morning. They were on him in thirty seconds. The doctor was an expert at delivering CPR in critical events. The nurse was an experienced critical care provider.

A congregant immediately texted someone at the Baptist Church down the street, who in turn, immediately notified the Pastor. The Pastor engaged the congregation in a season of prayer in the midst of the morning service. Later I met someone from Pittsburg, PA who received a similar text message asking for immediate prayer resulting in their Pastor taking similar action.

 

Encouragement

I awoke at four this morning and prayed for him and my daughter. Then I read this article which set my mind churning. What is the difference between fatalism and my Christian view, I mused? Various Scripture passages surfaced and then I landed on Psalm 121, where upon I decided to text him words of encouragement rooted in this Psalm.

This is that note:

 

My son, note the character of God at work!

 

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

    where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the Lord,    [Compassionate]

    the Maker of heaven and earth.  [Omnipotent]

3 He will not let your foot slip—

    he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel

    will neither slumber nor sleep.   [Omnipresent]

5 The Lord watches over you—

    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,

    nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—

    he will watch over your life;   [Omniscient]

8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going

    both now and forevermore.  [Eternality]

 

Application

I then referenced this article saying, Mr. Worthington was correct in citing WISE and GOOD as defining adjectives of sovereignty. However, Psalm 121, while embodying WISE and GOOD, gives us a much fuller description of our Sovereign God. Again, note His character in action.

Sovereignty therefore is not fatalism. Fatalism affirms a purposeless and nonsensical, “Whatever will be, will be.” Christianity affirms an Intelligent and Purposeful “Whatever will be, will be” as the Sovereign providential administration of the Wise, Good, Compassionate, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscience, Eternal God.

Fatalism affirms a purposeless & nonsensical, “Whatever will be, will be.” Christianity affirms an Intelligent & Purposeful “Whatever will be, will be” as the Sovereign providential administration of the Wise, Good, Compassionate, Omnipotent,… Click To Tweet

 

Implementation

So, my son, take courage. Run the race on the track which your God, in all His attributes, has laid before you. Why this track we might ask? Remember Moses, “The secret things belong to God, but the things revealed belong to us…” What is revealed is His promises, His work, and His eternal plan. You and we saw this played out in brilliant colors as we walked with you from imminent physical death into a full productive life. You and we and God’s people anywhere in any circumstances can trust Him implicitly.

 

Conclusion

Yes, the anywhere and any circumstances includes the horrendous situation experienced by our brothers and sisters in the persecuted church worldwide. The likes to the current tragedy in Afghanistan are not new to God’s children. Review the Old Testament or New Testament church history. This reality reminds us that to find comfort in this present world we need our whole Bible and the whole theology it teaches. Hanging on to one aspect of theological truth like sovereignty without the support of the total Bible leads to error and either hopelessness or foolishness.

 

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