By Rev. Tan Eng Boo
I use Psalm 148 to praise God for His sovereignty. In this chapter alone, the command to praise the Lord is repeated nine times in the first five verses and twelve times in the entire psalm.
Barton Bouchier wrote (cited by C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David [Baker], 7:426),
“This psalm is neither more nor less than a glorious prophecy of that coming day, when not only shall the knowledge of the Lord be spread over the whole earth, as the waters cover the sea, but from every created object in heaven and in earth, animate and inanimate, from the highest archangel through every grade and phase of being, down to the tiniest atom—young men and maidens, old men and children, and all kings and princes, and judges of the earth shall unite in this millennial anthem to the Redeemer’s praise.”
The message of Psalm 148 is simple:
Everything and everyone in heaven and on earth should praise the Lord.
On Sunday, 16 February, as I sat in church for worship, Dn. Oei Kiang led the congregation to sing one of the most meaningful songs, “Our Sovereign God.” Even though I was not familiar with the tune, I was thoroughly blessed by the lyrics. Our God is sovereign indeed. We need to know this great doctrine to understand that God is fully in charge and in control of all that is happening in the world today, including our lives.
In I Samuel 3:18, the High Priest Eli told Samuel:
“… It is the LORD. Let him do what seems good to him.”
In the book “Reformed Systematic Theology: Revelation and God,” penned by Joel Beeke and Paul M. Smalley, the writers wrote:
“God is sovereign; that is, he is the supreme Lord who rules over all. This is one of the great doctrines of the Bible, pervading its pages. It is the nourishing root of the believer’s piety and comfort, and the strong foundation of his hope.”
The sovereignty of God refers to His supreme power and authority over all creation.
The Sovereignty of God over all Nations
I am thankful to God for His sovereignty over His creation. Look at the governmental authority of Kings, Presidents and Prime Ministers. These people have tremendous power in their countries, but they can also be powerful leaders in the world. We sometimes call the countries led by them as “superpowers”. But no matter how “super” or powerful a person is, God’s word says that He is the One who rules over all the kingdoms of the nations. See the words of King Jehoshaphat in his prayer:
And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. (2 Chronicles 20:5, 6)
No nation can do anything that God does not purpose.
Take the example of the new President of the United States of America (USA). God has a purpose in putting him in the White House. I do not know what the purpose of God is in doing so, but I know nothing happens without the plan of God. Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar
“He (God) changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings….” (Daniel 2:21).
This verse is interpreted to mean that God controls world events, including who rules nations and for how long.
For us in Singapore, we can be thankful to God for His sovereign grace upon our nation for granting us a good government. We pray for the Lord’s continued grace upon us.
The Sovereignty of God over our life
I have a story to share with you about Ira Sankey:
The year was 1876, and Sankey was traveling on a steamboat up the Delaware River on Christmas Eve.
On the deck were gathered a number of passengers, looking out at the calm, starlit night. Someone said, "Mr. Sankey is aboard!" and immediately there were cries of "Let him sing for us! Let's ask Mr. Sankey to sing!"
He stood leaning against one of the great funnels of the boat. Before he began, he stood for a moment as if in prayer, deciding what to sing. He wanted to sing a Christmas song, but somehow the words of the Shepherd Song were what came to his heart.
"Saviour, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need thy tender care.
In thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use thy folds prepare."
Among the listeners, there was a deep stillness. The words telling the sweet story of God's love for wandering men, and the beautiful melody floated out across the deck, across the water, into the night. Every heart was stirred.
At the end of the song, there was an almost audible response. One man stepped forth—a rough-looking man.
To Sankey, he said, "Did you ever serve in the Union Army?" "Yes," answered Sankey. "In the spring of 1860"
"Can you remember if you were doing picket duty on a bright moonlight night in 1862?" "Yes, I do," answered Sankey, with surprise. "Were you...?"
"I did, too, but I was serving in the Confederate Army. When I saw you standing at your post, I said to myself, 'That fellow will never get away from here alive.' I raised my musket and took aim. I was in the shadow, completely hidden, while you walked in full moonlight.
"At that instant, you began to sing—just as a moment ago. The song was 'Saviour, like a shepherd lead us...' "The music reached my heart. I took my finger off the trigger. 'I'll wait until the end of the song,' I said to myself. 'I can't miss him, and I can shoot him afterwards.'
"As you sang, you reached the place where it says, "'We are Thine, do Thou befriend us,' "'Be the guardian of our way...'
"I could hear every word perfectly, and how the memories came to my heart! I began to think of my childhood and my mother. She loved God. She had sung that song to me many times. But she died all too soon, otherwise I think my life might have been different.
"At the end of the song, I could not raise my musket again. It was impossible for me to take aim, though you still stood in the bright moonlight, a perfect target.
"Then I thought of the Lord. I looked at you and thought, 'The Lord who was able to save that man from certain death must surely be great and mighty.' My arm dropped to my side and I cannot tell you all the things I thought at that time. My heart was smitten, but I didn't know what to do.
"Just now, when you were about to sing and stood quietly as if praying, I recognized you. I've wandered far and wide, since that other occasion. I have never found that Shepherd. Please help me now find a cure for my sick soul."
Deeply moved, Mr. Sankey threw his arms about the man who had been his enemy, who, indeed, could have ended his life. That Christmas Eve night, a former soldier found the great and tender Shepherd as his Saviour.
(https://enjoyingthejourney.org/hymn-history-savior-like-a-shepherd-lead-us/)
The sovereignty of God is seen here in the saving hand of the Lord upon two persons. One from physical death. The other one, from eternal damnation.
Do not Trust in Fate
The sovereignty of God is not fatalism. Fate is never a part of the doctrine of Scripture. God is fully in control of His creation and creatures.
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