Leaving Beyond – Grounded In Scripture

 “God is never helpless, never perplexed, never baffled; Satan has no power but that which God allows.” ~ Charles Spurgeon

 “God governs all things, even the wicked actions of men, for the accomplishment of His eternal purposes.” ~ John Owen

Satan is not sovereign or omnipotent. When evil things happen, some are quick to speak much of the devil—the devil being messy, the devil is busy, Satan is working overtime.

Friend, the devil is real, but he is not equal with God, and he is not sovereign.

Sadly, some are stripped of any hope or comfort in tragedy, as too much emphasis is placed on the devil and God is made to appear weak and powerless against such a mighty foe. God always seems to be “trying His best” while the devil is out here winning.

I remember a Q&A where R.C. Sproul took a question—something, I think, to do with the loss of a child—and he recalled some TV evangelist having taken a question from a caller who was devastated at the loss of a loved one. This TV evangelist then tried to comfort the caller, but in an effort not to blame God, he then spoke of how God had no control over it and it was all the devil’s doing. This so upset Sproul that he began talking to him through the TV.

You see, if, when evil things happen, we remove God so as to protect Him from any responsibility for what happens, then we remove hope. We remove God’s unfolding providential plan, whereby He uses wicked men (who are entirely responsible for their wicked actions) to achieve His purposes.

This is very offensive to many Christians. They cannot see that what they feel like is making God the author of evil is not. What they are doing in removing God from His sovereign position over all things is also removing His providence and, thereby, removing any hope we may have that God is actually working all things out for good. He is sovereign and He even uses sinful man to fulfill His purposes. While men mean it for evil, God means it for good.

Friend, if Satan were one step ahead of God and God were always trying His best, then we have NO hope, no assurance, no confidence in anything God has said or promised. We cannot take Him at His Word. God is not trying; He is not weak, powerless, and He has no equal.

Satan can ONLY act within the limits God allows. Remember Job?

Friend, take courage, every Word of God is true and God is still sovereign. This is our comfort. If we look for comfort in an easy life filled with worldly pleasures and the fulfillment of our dreams and desires, we may be sorely disappointed. But if we find our comfort in who God is then even amid tragedy we may be at peace knowing God is still God!

Grace and Peace, y’all
Soli Deo Gloria

April J. Buchanan