Let's Review!

As we close out the week, let's review what we've learned.  Review is a good thing!  It helps us remember! We have focused our attention this week on El Elyon, God Most High, the name of God that shows us His sovereignty.  Sovereignty is defined as supreme power; freedom from external control.  In other words, when we think about the sovereignty of God, we see Him as the ultimate authority over every sphere and place.  All creation is subject to Him and answerable to Him.

Let's begin by reviewing some of the verses where we saw God's sovereignty demonstrated:

• Daniel 4:34...His dominion (supreme authority) is everlasting
• Daniel 4:35...No one can ward off His hand or question what He does
• Luke:22:31,32; Job 1:8-12; Job 2:3-7...God places limits on Satan, who can go no farther than God allows.
• Isaiah14:24,27...Isaiah (although using the name Jehovah Sabaoth) clearly describes God's sovereignty.  What God intends will happen.  What He plans will stand.  No one can frustrate His plans.
• Isaiah 46:9-10...God Himself testifies that He is absolutely sovereign.

So, knowing all this, what conclusions should we draw if we truly believe that God is El Elyon, Sovereign Ruler over everything?  How does this enable us to view the name of the Lord as a "strong tower", one we can run to and be safe?

By definition, sovereign means He is in charge of ALL the universe ALL the time.  Many years ago I read a book titled "Your God Is Too Small" by J. B. Phillips.  The title says it all.....our view of God is often too small.  Have you learned anything this week that has helped you to have a better view of God, to know Him better?  What have we learned this week about what God is sovereign over?

• Daniel 2:20-23.....over times and epochs (history); over kings (rulers and governments); over wisdom and knowledge; over hidden things; over the darkness.
• Isaiah 5:5-7.....over a nation's "hedge of protection"
• Deuteronomy 32:39.....over life and death
• Isaiah 46:9-10.....over the future.  Remember, NOTHING happens outside His control.  He rules over ALL things.
• Genesis 14:19....heaven and earth.

So, if we really believe that El Elyon is sovereign, then how does it affect our thinking about:

• our present circumstances?
• the past?
• our future?
• the economy?
• the government?

And knowing all this, believing it to be true, what difference does it make in my life?  Here are a few points to stimulate your thinking:

• Truth can set you free (John 8:32; John 17:17; Romans 12:2).  The truth is that El Elyon does His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth.  How does knowing that affect your daily living?  How does it affect your worship?
• God is in control.  Even if there are problems in my life, God has permitted them.  How does this affect the way you approach each day?
• Through it all, remember that Jesus is praying for you!  Romans 8:34 tells us that He intercedes for us!  Intercedes is present tense, meaning continuous action.  What difference does that make to you today?
• Remember that the Scripture teaches us that God is in control of all of history.  How does this impact your thinking about current situations in our world and what the future holds?  How does it impact your behavior? 
• To know God as El Elyon, sovereign over everything is empowering.  If you truly believe He is in control, you can be content, even in the midst of less-than-ideal circumstances.  You can know without doubt that "all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28).  You can truly "give thanks in all things" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Remember the story of Joseph?  He was sold by his brothers, falsely accused by Mrs. Potiphar, and thrown into prison.  But what was his response?  Read Genesis 50:20 if you need to refresh your memory.  Joseph knew that God had a purpose, and we can know that, too.

This has been a great week of study, hasn't it?  I hope that digging into these Scriptures has blessed you as much as it has blessed me.  I'm so glad we are taking this journey together!  Next week our journey will take us to El Roi, the God Who sees.  Until then, keep trusting El Elyon.  He as everything under control!
"This is my Father's world, O let me ne'er forget, that though the wrong is oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet."  (M. D. Babcock)