Hoping in God’s Sovereignty

What does it mean to be Anchored By Hope because God is Sovereign? This post explores the hope found in the sovereignty of God.

“God Is Sovereign.”

Once, during a moment of very deep personal grief, a friend said those words to me. Tears welled in my eyes, threatening to run, yet again, hot, down my cheeks.

“Yes, God is sovereign,” I echoed.

Those words brought me comfort… but why? Why can God’s sovereignty anchor us in the hope of Christ Jesus?

The easiest way to define God’s sovereignty is that, ultimately, He is in charge. He has the right to do whatever He decides is best, and He has the power to accomplish His will.

Knowing that He is always good, and that He is love, helps us see that whatever He decides is best is best— for our eternal good and for His glory. And even when things are hard (or even terrible), knowing that we are in good, loving, and capable hands brings comfort. Even in the most dire situations, and even when our limited human perspective just can’t see it, God is working His good and perfect plan!

Esther’s Story (In Fast Mode)

There are so many beautiful stories of God’s sovereignty in the Bible. The heroes of the faith all lived out displays of God’s perfect and knowing sovereign love.

But it’s Esther’s story (and the story of her people) that I always think of when I’m reflecting on God’s sovereign nature.

If you’re familiar with the Book of Esther, you remember that Esther was elevated into the position of Queen (but with no real ruling rights) in the Persian Empire, some time after the Jews who’d been held in captivity there were set free to return home. Yet, many stayed behind; Esther and her uncle, Mordecai, did just that.

Long story (very) short, the arrogant, controlling, and temperamental king, Xerxes (under the influence of his evil official, Haman), made an edict to eradicate all the Jews in his empire — which were effectively all the Jews. This would have wiped out the hope of the coming Savior: Jesus Christ! (No Jews, no Mary, no Jospeh, no census, no trip to Bethlehem… you get the idea.)

After fasting, which (Biblically) implies the seeking of God through prayer, Esther courageously approached the king at the risk of her own life.

Esther could have hidden her Jewishness and sided with the Persian world around her. She could have escaped with her life while her people were destroyed. But, she chose her side and then made it known. She identified herself as a child of God and revealed her true Jewish identity to Xerxes.

In nothing short of a miracle, God used an ordinary girl to stand as a mediator for her people… allowing the Jews to live and the true enemy, evil Haman, to be defeated. Because all the Jews were not wiped out, the line of the Savior was protected and Jesus would later be born.

At many points in this story things looked bad. Horrible, actually! For God’s children, there seemed to be absolutely no hope and no escape from the world around them. They were controlled and surrounded by an evil, invincible, dominating power. The Persian kingdom was vain and foolish, and it was incredibly dangerous.

No hope, no escape? Vain? Foolish? Dangerous? Hmmm… those things don’t necessarily sound like only ancient history, do they?

God is Sovereign

Esther’s story is remarkable, not only because she was so brave (which she absolutely was– let me give credit!), but also because of the main character in the story– the One who is never even mentioned in the book: God!

The Book of Esther reveals a powerful, loving God working actively behind the scenes. Yes, Esther was brave, but God’s mighty hand of Providence was orchestrating all the details to save and give victory to His people through her obedience.

Esther’s story serves as a reminder to us, living in the modern world. Our world may be a mess– it may be hard, sad, unjust, confusing, and dangerous– but God is good. And He is working behind the scenes to orchestrate just the right details to give eternal victory to His children.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

Our good and loving Father is so patient with us. He wishes for none to perish, but for all to come to know Jesus as Lord. And interestingly, the confusion and pain experienced in this world presents us with a unique opportunity to point others to the hope and victory found in Christ alone.

Just as God worked in Esther’s story to bring about His good and perfect will, He will work in our lives.

The deep and very personal grief we experience? He is sovereign.

Our hurts and pains? He is sovereign. 

The uncertainty that makes the way seem impossible? He is sovereign!

There is nothing too big for our God to handle!

Yes, God is sovereign. And because of that, because he is working “all things… together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose,” we can be anchored by hope! (See Romans 8:28) 

How does knowing that He is sovereign give you hope today?

In Him,
Ali