Divine Sovereignty and Meaningful Human Choice

We now begin Section Six of Randy Alcorn’s book If God Is Good. I will be sharing thoughts and various excerpts from chapter 22. This section focuses on Divine Sovereignty and meaningful human choice that accounts for evil and suffering.

I want to thank those of you who have been following along with me through this book. As a reminder, you can find posts of previous chapters under the heading Bible Studies in the menu above. I would be most honored if you would leave your respectful thoughts, comments, or prayer needs below. Unless otherwise noted, the Scriptures used are from the NKJV.

The Author’s Opening Thoughts

The six chapters of this section take us into deep waters, you may find it either fascinating or difficult,  possibly both at times. I encourage all to persevere because this is a vital aspect of the problem of evil and suffering.

How we view God’s choices, those made by ourselves, other people, and demons aren’t merely academic; It’s immensely practical. It will shape how we see life events and how we respond to them.

The Bible says a great deal about human choice and responsibility. It also says a great deal about God’s Sovereignty. We should not pick and choose passages that speak only what we want to hear. We must compare Scripture with Scripture and discern “The whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27, ESV).

If we only look at the hundreds of biblical passages that teach or assume human choice, then we will have a small view of God’s Sovereignty. Likewise, if you look only at the hundreds of biblical passages that teach or assume God’s Sovereignty then you will likely assume humans have no meaningful capacity for choice.

We should affirm both Divine Sovereignty and meaningful human choice. In this section, I will do both in ways that may frustrate readers accustomed to affirming one but not the other.

Because the universe begins and ends with God and NOT humankind, we must remember that it’s not about us but about God’s purposes, plan, and glory. Because he is infinite and we are finite, his choices naturally hold more sway.

If we see humanity through the lens of God’s nature as revealed in his Word, we see ourselves accurately. However, if as we read scripture we see God through the lens of human nature, we are bound to distort him.

Alcorn reminds us:

• Chapters in this section should be viewed as a whole to see them in proper biblical balance.
• No single chapter in this section is balanced on its own.
• However, the last three chapters of this section look at passages that affirm both Divine Sovereignty and human choice in the same context providing a healthy balance.

Chapter 22 – God’s Divine Sovereignty and its Reach

God’s Sovereignty is the biblical teaching that all things remain under God’s rule, and nothing happens without either his direction or permission.

“All things work together for good to those who love God” – Rom 8:28.

These “all things” include evil and suffering. God doesn’t commit moral evil, but he can use it for good purposes.

Ps 22:28 tells us “For the kingdom is the Lord’s, And He rules over the nations.”

Because he has absolute power no one, including demons and humans who choose to violate his moral will, can thwart his ultimate purpose.

Hebrews 1:3 ESV, tells us that “Christ upholds the universe by the word of his power.” The Greek word translated as “upholds” is PHERO which means to carry. It’s the same word used in Luke 5:18 of the friends who carried the paralyzed man on his bed to Jesus for healing.

God carries the entire universe as men may carry a bed.

“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,” – Eph 1:11

Again, “all things” is comprehensive allowing for no exceptions. God works even in those things done against his moral will to bring them into conformity with his purpose and according to his plan.

God can and will redeem the worst thing that ever happens to his child.

Divine Sovereignty – Certain Things “Must” Happen

When Jesus said certain things “must” happen, he assumes an inevitability related to God’s predetermined purpose. Consider the following scriptures:

• Matt 16:21 – “From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He MUST go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”
• Mark 13:7 – “But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things MUST happen, but the end is not yet.”
• Mk 13:10 – “And the gospel MUST first be preached to all the nations.”
• Luke 17:25 – “But first He MUST suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.”
• Lk 24:26 – “Did not the Messiah HAVE TO suffer these things and then enter his glory?” (NIV)

Similar wording describes various prophecies that MUST be fulfilled. Why “must” these things happen? Because God knows they will happen. Some say:

• Though they involve evil human and demonic choices, God fully anticipates them even though he doesn’t desire them to happen.
• Some argue that God knows exactly what he will and will not permit and has a specific redemptive purpose in doing so.
• Others say God knows these things will happen because he will cause them to happen.

In any case, because of what the triune God knew and decided in eternity past, Jesus not only might or could go to the cross, but certainly would do so. His redemptive work must happen.

God’s Original and Only Plan

Though evil had no part in God’s original creation, it was part of his original plan.

Rev 13:8 states Christ is the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

Likewise, Eph 1:4-5 tells us God: “Chose us in Him [Jesus] before the foundation of the world.”

This means:

• God didn’t devise his redemption plan on the fly.
• Evil didn’t take him by surprise.
• God isn’t the author of evil, but he is the author of a story that includes evil.
• He intended from the beginning to permit evil, then to turn evil on its head.
• In the face of the lowest evil, God intended to show his higher good.

It is possible to plan for something you know is coming, without forcing that thing to happen.

Divine Sovereignty – Christ’s Crucifixion Known From Eternity Past

Christ’s crucifixion was God’s set purpose known from eternity past.

“Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;” –  Acts 2:23

Questions to Consider

• If God planned Christ’s death, do others die according to his plan?
• Does the God who had a purpose in the death of his Son also have a purpose, even though a different one, in the deaths of his other children?
• Does the same God who intended evil for good in the life of Joseph, intend evil for good in the life of other believers?

Alcorn suggests by the statement in Romans 8:28 that the answer is YES.

Various Scriptures Affirm God’s Control

Countless passages affirm God’s control over human lives and circumstances.

1 Timothy 6:15 tells us that our creator is “God the blessed and only ruler.” We find other passages that state:

• “Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand, it is to make great and to give strength to all.” – 1 Chr 29:12
• “But He is unique, and who can make Him change? And whatever His soul desires, that He does.” – Job 23:13
• “The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.” – Dan 4:17 (ESV)
• “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” – Prov 16:33 (ESV)
• “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” –  Matt 10:29-30

If we believe these scriptures, our reactions to many of the difficulties we face will change. Problems will seem smaller. Even though we can’t control them, we know God can.

The Evil of Joseph’s Brothers and Life in Egypt

God intended for good the evil actions of Joseph’s brothers, as well as Joseph’s subsequent life in Egypt. Joseph recognized God’s Sovereignty (see Genesis 45:5-8 ESV). God didn’t only permit Joseph’s journey to Egypt; he sent him there through his brothers’ evil deeds.

Joseph also declared: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” – Gen 50:20 (ESV)

“God meant it for good” communicates something far stronger than God being handed lemons and making lemonade.

God did not merely make the best of a bad situation; on the contrary, fully aware of what Joseph’s brothers would do, and fully permitting their sin, God intended that the bad situation, which he could have prevented, but didn’t, be used for good. He did so in accordance with his plan from eternity past.

We see two wills at work in Genesis 50:20. The brothers successfully did evil, and God successfully brought about good from their evil. This good dramatically eclipsed their evil.

While God did not force them to do evil, he sovereignly worked so that the moral evil they committed and the consequential evils that came from it accomplished his ultimately good purposes.

Nothing about God’s sovereign work in Joseph’s life suggests that God works differently in the lives of his other children. Though events in our lives may have less drama or historical prominence, God didn’t act out of character with Joseph. Rather he revealed for our benefit how he sovereignly works in our lives as well.

We Must Recognize God’s Divine Sovereignty

To understand that short-term evil and suffering sometimes accomplish long-term good we must recognize God’s Divine Sovereignty. God clearly and repeatedly affirms and assumes his Divine Sovereignty over all. Many verses make clear that though God’s creatures can oppose him they cannot ultimately prevail for example:

“Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,’” – Isa 46:10

“All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” – Dan 4:35

That God does what pleases him, does not mean that all that happens, pleases him.

The following passages emphasize God’s Sovereignty in this broken world.

God gives and withholds children.

Many couples struggle with infertility, but the Bible consistently ascribes this problem to God.

• 1 Sam 1:5 – “But to Hannah, he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had closed her womb.”
• Gen 29:31 – “When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.”
• Gen 16:2 – “So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children.”
• Jud 13:3 – “And the Angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, ‘Indeed now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.’”
• Lk 1:13 – “But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.’”
• Ps 139:13 – “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.”

God sends prosperity and wealth.

• 1 Sam 2:7-8 – “The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, to set them among princes and make them inherit the throne of glory…”

God grants limited and conditional power to people.

• Jn 19:10-11 – “Pilate said to Him, ‘Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?’ Jesus answered, ‘You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore, the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.’”

However, God, the power dispenser, still maintains control.

God determines the times and places people will live.

• Acts 17: 25-26 – “Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings…”

God’s Divine Sovereignty Over Disabilities And Diseases

Scripture sometimes regards physical afflictions as:

• consequences of the Fall,
• as the work of demons,
• but ultimately sees them from God.

Ex 4:11 – “The Lord said to him, ‘“Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?’”

God takes full credit for giving these disabilities. God does not say the fall makes people deaf or Satan makes them blind, but that God himself does.

God doesn’t attempt to give us a full list of disabilities. However, doesn’t he intend for us to understand that he also gives people Down syndrome, deformities, cancer, and insulin-dependent diabetes?

The fact that we don’t like the idea that deformities, diseases, and suffering come from God’s own hand does not alter Scripture. Our discomfort will not change his mind.

Distancing God From Disabilities

Many Christians distance God from disabilities, sometimes arguing that people won’t trust the God who would deliberately dispense handicaps. Yet the author states that he has spoken with many disabled people who didn’t find comfort until they came to believe God had made them as they are.

Right-thinking believers find great comfort in knowing that such life-altering abnormalities don’t happen randomly or because of bad luck but are granted to us with divine purpose.

God doesn’t helplessly watch us suffer because of bad genes or an accident that Satan or people caused. He offers us help to deal with any disability he has given us.

Randy Alcorn shares that he has seen clearly himself, how God has used his insulin-dependent diabetes to humble him. Alcorn said that it was no accident that it appeared the same month that his first book came out in 1985. His conclusion was that God wanted Alcorn to be dependent on him. Randy Alcorn wrote that every day since, he’s recognized that need.

If we see God’s involvement with people’s deformities or diseases, we will view them differently than if we think they suffer because of Satan or sin.

A large percentage of children diagnosed with diseases before birth are aborted. If we believe Satan alone deforms the child or gives the adult a disease, then we might view taking their lives as battling evil instead of committing it. However, if we believe God has made these individuals as they are then we can love them as he intends.

Divine Sovereignty Means God Knows

God knows what good may arise from a disease or disability and what evil could come if that disease or disability were withheld or healed. Vicky Anderson was born with hypertelorism, a facial abnormality. Vicky says:

“I don’t really like the phrase “birth defect”- it contradicts my theology. A “defect” implies a mistake and I believe that God is sovereign. If he had the power to create the entire universe according to his exact specifications, then my face was certainly no challenge for him! If God is loving, why did he do for my face? I don’t know – maybe because with a normal face I would have been robbed of the thousands and thousands of blessings that I have received because of my deformities. It seems odd, but usually our greatest trial is what most molds and shapes us. It gives us character, backbone, courage, wisdom, discernment, and friendships that are not shallow.” [1]  

Vickey’s mother dealt with this condition from the time of her daughter’s birth. She writes:

“I believe that God chose this sorrow for my family. And surprisingly, what I at first felt was sorrow, I see now as a joy. In all sincerity, if given such a chance, I would not change the journey our family has traveled. We have all learned, we have all grown, and we love the Lord and His sovereign direction in our lives.” [2]

God Uses Disabilities for His Purpose

God uses disabilities to accomplish his unique purpose.

David O’Brien had had a severe form of cerebral palsy since birth. David demonstrates a joy that transcends his body’s bondage. Alcorn writes:

“David asked me to join him at a conference for disabled people. I spoke at three session, and David spoke at one. Despite David’s brilliance he’s not always easy to understand. So, he asked me to serve as his interpreter. He laboriously spoke what he’d written, then I read it so everyone could understand.”

David’s message began: “Is it possible that God has his hand in shaping the events that could lead to a handicap or suffering?”

Following David’s notes, I read from Genesis 32:24-28 the story of Jacob wrestling with a man identified as God in human flesh, most likely the preincarnate Christ. David observed: “We see Jacob’s thigh touched by the hand of God. Therefore, his hip was out of joint. This handicap was caused directly by God’s hand.” He went on to say, “I believe that the result of God’s blessings [David called Jacobs handicap a blessing] were preservation of Jacob’s life and a  lifelong dependency upon God’s ability to carry out his plan.”

As a room full of disabled people listened intently, David went on to speak of God’s affirmation in Exodus 4:11 that he makes people deaf, mute, and blind. David pointed out that God didn’t merely say he permitted but that he created people with those conditions.

Alcorn writes, “I still remember the faces in that room full of twisted and atrophied bodies, all confined to wheelchairs and beds on wheels. I can still hear the groans of affirmation of David O’Brien’s words that rose up to God that day. Those groans reminded me of Romans 8, the holy spirits groanings too deep for words.”

Continuing, David then turned to John 9:1-3. “Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”  Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned. But it happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (MEV)

Jesus stated the disabilities’ purpose, this happened “so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”  The “so that” is critical. David said it rules out haphazardness, demonic control, or bad luck. Rather, Jesus declares a deliberate, divine purpose in that blindness. While God would receive great glory in the man’s healing, surely, he had a purpose for the man’s life, long before his healing.

David went on to comment “If Christ had to suffer to be made complete, how can we expect not to have some form of suffering? Then he said something unforgettable: “God tailors a package of suffering best suited for each of his own. We all have the opportunity to grow through these. Dare I question God’s wisdom in making me the way I am? If God knew that Christ had to suffer to make him complete, certainly he knows what I need.”

Deprived of lesser objects of affection my friend David, turned to the greatest, Jesus Christ

Skeptics may say of these disabled people, “They’re denying reality and finding false comfort. They’d do better to admit they were dealt a bad hand and get on with it. If there is a God who loves him, he wouldn’t treat them like this.”

However, the people at the conference that night, living as they had for many years, understood what skeptics don’t. They had found better reasons to believe and worship the God who purchased their resurrection with his blood and offers them comfort and perspective.

Why believe the skeptics who purchased them nothing and offer only hopelessness?

God’s Divine Sovereignty in Our Own Suffering

Your state of mind determines whether the doctrine of God’s Sovereignty comforts you or threatens you. Spurgeon wrote,

“There is no attribute of God more comforting to his children than the doctrine of divine Sovereignty. On the other hand, there is no doctrine more hated by worldlings.” [3]    

Why? Because the proud human heart doesn’t want to submit to Almighty God. We want to make our own plans, do our own thing, and have it our own way. We don’t want anyone, including God to impose his way on us.

James identifies the arrogance and evil boasting underlying our presumption that we can do whatever we wish without submitting to God’s plan:

“Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”  As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.” – James 4:13-16

We delude ourselves when we think we have ultimate control over our lives.

We imagine that God should let us have our way and when he doesn’t, we resent him.

However, we can trust God’s love and Sovereignty throughout a lifetime of hardship.

Perhaps, the greatest test of whether we believe Romans 8:28 is to identify the very worst things that have happened to us, and then ask if we believe that, in the end, God will somehow use them for our good.

Reflecting on his long life, Malcolm Muggeridge wrote:

“Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that at the time seemed especially desolating and painful with particular satisfaction. Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my 75 years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my existence, has been through affliction and not through happiness, whether pursued or attained.” [4]   

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[1] Vicki Anderson, http://aboutfaithnow.blogspot.com/2005/01/hypertelorism_23.htmlhttp:// aboutfaithnow.blogspot.com

[2] http://aboutfaithnow.blogspot.com/2005/07/moms-story-final-chapter.html.

[3] Charles Haddon Spurgeon, sermon titled “Divine Sovereignty,” quoted in Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2004), 51.

[4] Malcolm Muggeridge, A Twentieth Century Testimony (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1978).