Chapter 2: Is God in Absolute Control?
Romans 13:1
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Let verse 1 of Romans chapter 13 sink in a bit . . . What exactly are the higher powers? But, more importantly, we must digest the second and third parts of that passage: "there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." This, of course, will also depend on our interpretation of how much power God has over this universe, this planet, and our very lives. I addressed this question earlier, Remember? How much does God intervene with our lives? Well, I will tell you for sure that this book assumes that God intervenes one hundred percent with most of the life forms on this planet.* Is that a bad assumption? Well, if we are to believe the scriptures, then we have no choice but to believe it . . . Let's observe:
Psalms 46:7-10
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible*
(on Psalms 46:8)
See empires destroyed and regenerated; and in such a way as to show that a supernatural agency has been at work. By the hand of God alone could these great changes be effected.
The Treasury of David*
(on Psalms 46:9)
His voice quiets the tumult of war, and calls for the silence of peace. However remote and barbarous the tribe, he awes the people into rest. He crushes the great powers till they cannot provoke strife again.
Colossians 1:16-17
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible*
(on Colossians 1:16)
All things were created . . . for Him: that is, for his pleasure, that he may take delight and complacency in them, and in his own perfections displayed by them; and for his service and use, as the angels, to worship him and minister to him and for others, he sends them to: elect men are made to serve and glorify him with their bodies and spirits, which are his; and even the non-elect are made to subserve his mediatorial kingdom and interest; yea, the whole world is built and kept in being purely on his account, until he has finished the great affair of the salvation of his people.
1 Timothy 6:14-16
That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and ONLY POTENTATE, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
(on 1 Timothy 6:15)
And only Potentate . . . or, Governor of the whole world, which can be said of none but himself: he is the Governor among the nations, and over all the nations of the earth; his kingdom rules over all other kingdoms; and he has his power and government from himself, whereas all other potentates have their power from him, as follows: the King of kings, and Lord of lords; from whom they receive their sceptres, crowns, and kingdoms; by whom they reign, and are continued in their power; for he sets up kings, and removes kings at his pleasure, and to him they must be accountable for all their administrations another day; and at present they are under his influence, and at his control; he has their hearts, and their counsels, as well as kingdoms, in his hands, and under his overruling providence; and causes all to answer his wise and eternal purposes.
1 Chronicles 29:10-12
Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
(on 1 Chronicles 29:12)
"Both riches and honour come of thee": Whatever of either the children of men have is not owing to their merits, nor to their diligence and industry, and wise conduct, but to the providence of God, Ecclesiastes 9:11, so the gods with the Heathens are said to be givers of riches: "and thou reignest over all": govern the world by wisdom, and dispose all things in it for the best. "in thine hand is power and might": to do whatsoever he pleaseth. "and in thine hand it is to make great": in worldly things, and so in spiritual. "and to give strength unto all": against their enemies, and to do the will and work of God; of all which David had had an experience.
Isaiah 45:7*
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
Geneva Bible Translation Notes*
(on Isaiah 45:7)
I send peace and war, prosperity and adversity.
Job 12:9-10
Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
(on Job 12:9-10)
In whose hand is the soul of every living thing . . . Of every animal, of every brute creature, as distinct from man, in the next clause: the life of everyone of them is from him, and it is continued by him as long as he pleases, nor can it be taken away without his leave; two sparrows, which are not worth more than a farthing, not one of them falls to the ground, or dies without the knowledge and will of God, Matthew 10:29; of the soul or spirit of beasts, see Ecclesiastes 3:21.
Albert Barne's Notes on the Bible*
(on Job 12:9-10)
In whose hand is the soul of every living thing . . . The idea is, that all are under the control of God. He gives life, and health, and happiness when he pleases, and when he chooses he takes them away. His sovereignty is manifested, says Job, in the inferior creation, or among the beasts of the field, the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of heaven.
Proverbs 19:21
There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
Geneva Bible Translation Notes
(on Proverbs 19:21)
Man's device will not have success, unless God governs it, whose purpose is unchangeable.
Isaiah 14:24
The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
(on Isaiah 14:24)
surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; as he had shaped and schemed it, and drew the form and image in his own mind, or fixed and settled it there, so should it be done in due time, as every thing is that is determined by the Lord; and this shows that nothing is casual, or comes by chance, but everything as it is purposed of God; and that as everything comes to pass which he has resolved, so every such resolution proceeds from thought, and is the produce of the highest wisdom and prudence . . . And as I have purposed, so it shall stand; or "counselled"; within himself, for he does all things according to the counsel of his will; and which always stands firm, sure, and unalterable, let what devices soever be in the heart of man.
1 Samuel 2:6-7
The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
Poor Man's Commentary by Robert Hawker*
(on 1 Samuel 2:6-7)
These are all so many beautiful repetitions of the same important doctrine, in asserting God’s sovereignty over all things, both in the kingdoms of providence, and of grace.
Psalms 50:10-11
For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
Albert Barne's Notes on the Bible
(on Psalms 50:10-11)
It is a beautiful and impressive thought, that the “property” in all these animals - in all living things on the earth - is in God, and that he has a right to dispose of them as he pleases. What man owns, he owns under God, and has no right to complain when God comes and asserts his superior claim to dispose of it at his pleasure. God has never given to man the absolute proprietorship in “any” thing; nor does he invade our rights when he comes and claims what we possess, or when in any way he removes what is most valuable to us. Compare Job 1:21: "And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
If one is to not know that God is supreme and omnipotent, then one does not know God! For further research, also see Luke 1:37; Jeremiah 32:27; Isaiah 40:28; Job 42:2; Isaiah 44:24; Revelation 19:6; and Jeremiah 10:12.
Considering a God like this, can we truly say that it's impossible for Him to intervene in our lives? But, wouldn't that interfere with free-will, though? No, it doesn't. God must certainly intrude in on our flesh-feast if we are ever to learn about Him, right? Does not the scripture say that we cannot even come to Him unless the Spirit first draw us?* If God didn't intervene even at that moment, then there is truly no hope for any of us! And, if He first draw us, what's to stop Him from participating in our lives afterwards? So, to balance and make sense of all these things – and I will walk the tightrope here in not trying to get caught up in the Predestination vs Free-will debate*, nor of what satan's in-depth role is in all of this commotion* (for I shall cover both subjects in upcoming books) – I will certainly be as informative as possible in my present task on this vast subject.
Now, let's dig even deeper to see that God can truly intervene in our personal lives...
Proverbs 20:24
Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
(on Proverbs 20:24)
Man's goings are of the Lord . . . In a natural and literal sense, the instruments of going are of the Lord; the act of motion from place to place is not without the concourse of his providence; as in him we live, and move, and have our being, so "in and by him we move"; he preserves our going out and coming in; and as the preservation, so the success and prosperity of journeying are owing to his providence, and the whole is under his care and direction: and so likewise, in a civil sense, all the civil concerns, business, and actions of life, are guided by his providence; there is a time for every purpose under heaven, and the success of all depends on a divine blessing; and things are with every man in civil life according to the providence of God, and as it is his pleasure they should be; and it is by him they are directed to take this and the other step, the issue of which is according to his will: and this may be applied to men's goings in a spiritual and religious sense.
Adam Clark's Commentary on the Bible
(on Proverbs 20:24)
Man’s goings are of the Lord - He, by his providence, governs all the great concerns of the world. Man often traverses these operations; but he does it to his own damage. An old writer quaintly says: 'They who will carve for themselves shall cut their fingers.'
Albert Barnes Notes on the Bible
(on Proverbs 20:24)
The order of a man’s life is a mystery even to himself. He knows not where he is going, or for what God is educating him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the whole Bible*
(on Proverbs 20:24)
We are here taught that in all our affairs, 1. We have a necessary and constant dependence upon God. All our natural actions depend upon his providence, all our spiritual actions upon his grace. The best man is no better than God makes him; and every creature is that to us which it is the will of God that it should be. Our enterprises succeed, not as we desire and design, but as God directs and disposes. The goings even of a strong man (so the word signifies) are of the Lord, for his strength is weakness without God, nor is the battle always to the strong . . . 2. We have no foresight of future events, and therefore know not how to forecast for them: How can a man understand his own way? How can he tell what will befall him, since God's counsels concerning him are secret, and therefore how can he of himself contrive what to do without divine direction? We so little understand our own way that we know not what is good for ourselves, and therefore we must make a virtue of necessity, and commit our way unto the Lord, in whose hand it is, follow the guidance and submit to the disposal of Providence.
So much that one little scripture can say! But, let's continue:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
The People's New Testament*
(on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Ye are not your own. But members of Christ, and hence have not the right to use our bodies to our own pleasure. Ye are bought with a price. Christ paid the price, even his blood. Hence, since both body and spirit are God's, both should be used to glorify him. The fact that we are his, purchased, parts of his spiritual temple, makes the obligation imperative to consecrate the body and spirit to his service.
John Wesley's Explanatory Notes*
(on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
And even your body is not, strictly speaking, your own even this is the temple of the Holy Ghost - Dedicated to him, and inhabited by him.
Albert Barnes Notes on the Bible
(on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
We are purchased; we belong to God; we are his by redemption; by a precious price paid; and we are bound, therefore, to devote ourselves, body, soul, and spirit, as he directs, to the glory of his name, not to the gratification of the flesh.
The Biblical Illustrator*
(on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Ye are not your own: To be “our own” is our very greatest ambition. To be our own masters, that is nature . . . God has been pleased so to order it, that no man can truly say, “I am my own”; “Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are,” &c . . . Of all the happy conditions upon earth, the happiest is to give up the whole heart to an authority which the whole heart can quite love and respect . . . God’s property in you: A father has a right to his child, but God has done more than made you His child, for He has given you the spirit of a child, to cry “Abba Father.” . . . Christ has more than a right to His body, being the Head, and we all members in particular; so that each condition of life teaches us with one common voice, “Ye are not your own.”
Adam Clark's Commentary on the Bible
(on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
And ye are not your own? - Ye have no right over yourselves, to dispose either of your body, or any of its members, as you may think proper or lawful; you are bound to God, and to him you are accountable.
But what about my right to choose my own will? I, for one, do believe in free-will, but that it has its limitations. What do I mean? Well, let's consider Jonah, who had made up his mind that he was going to go against a direct order from God and not go to Nineveh to preach. His own free-will told him no, but even though he made that free-will choice, God, on the other hand, intervened with that decision, and ended up changing Jonah's mind about preaching there because of a tribulation that God sent him through, which Jonah ended up calling hell! – Jonah 2:2* – that is, considering the severity of the trial in which he endured. Jonah then, after spending a few days in the whale's belly, made a new choice – choosing, instead, to do God's will . . . So, what does that mean? It means that we can make our own decisions, but if they are the wrong decisions, and if those decisions go against God's will*, then He will end up changing our minds for us. Does He really do that? And, if so, is that wrong for Him to do? And just because this happened to Jonah, does it necessarily mean that it'll happen to us?
Romans 9:20-21
Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
It's not too hard to interpret Paul's words here. Simply put, God has complete control over His creation, to do with it as He sees fit, or as He pleases. And, while trying to explain these kinds of thoughts all during chapter 9 of Romans, Paul was very tempted to say – and actually did say:
Romans 9:14
What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
What would prompt him to even ask such a question? Surely, he knew that others would ask it. And, his answer? God forbid! In other words, No! – there is no unrighteousness with God. Simply put, God is God, and there is none other beside Him. He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. He has the power to intervene with our lives, and make them go into directions that pleases Him . . . Does that take away our free-will? Again, no, it does not. But, our freedom is limited when we make stupid decisions. Decisions, that is, that will end up harming us, or destroying us; or, and more especially, decisions that would end up harming other people . . . Folks, this works in the very same manner as a parent gives limited freedom to their own child. In that, if something will harm the child, the parent will step in and dictate the situation. Only, God does this on a much larger scale.
Therefore, with all this in mind, it's not crazy to think that God intervenes and interferes with our lives. It's not crazy to think that He can lead and guide our steps. And, it's not crazy to say that if we aren't following His will, that he can make us change our minds so that we do the right things.
But, even if this is so – that is, leading and guiding, and intervening in people's lives – what about those who don't serve God? Can God control their movements as well?
Isaiah 10:5-6
O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
Albert Barnes Notes on the Bible
(on Isaiah 10:5)
The Hebrew would bear the interpretation that the Assyrian was, an object against which God was angry; but the former is evidently the sense of the passage, as denoting that the Assyrian was the agent by which he would express his anger against a guilty people.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
(on Isaiah 10:5-19)
The king of Assyria, in his pride, thought to act by his own will. The tyrants of the world are tools of Providence. God designs to correct his people for their hypocrisy, and bring them nearer to him . . . The Assyrian boasts what great things he has done to other nations, by his own policy and power. He knows not that it is God who makes him what he is, and puts the staff into his hand . . . When God brings his people into trouble, it is to bring sin to their remembrance, and humble them, and to awaken them to a sense of their duty; this must be the fruit, even the taking away of sin.
Judges 2:14
And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.
Joshua 11:20
For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Deuteronomy 32:8
When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.
John Wesley's Explanatory Notes
(on Deuteronomy 32:8)
And therefore he so guided the hearts of several people, that the posterity of Canaan, which was accursed of God, and devoted to ruin, should be seated in that country which God intended for the children of Israel, that so when their iniquities were ripe, they might be rooted out, and the Israelites come in their stead.
Psalms 75:7
But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
The Treasury of David
(on Psalms 75:7)
“But God is the judge.” Even now he is actually judging. His seat is not vacant; his authority is not abdicated; the Lord reigneth evermore “He putteth down one, and setteth up another.” Empires rise and fall at his bidding. A dungeon here, and there a throne, his will assigns. Assyria yields to Babylon, and Babylon, to the Medes. Kings are but puppets in his hand; they serve his purpose when they rise and when they fall. A certain author has issued a work called “Historic Ninepins,” a fit name of scorn for all the great ones of the earth. God only is; all power belongs to him; all else is shadow, coming and going, unsubstantial, misty, dream-like.
Ezra 1:1-2
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
Geneva Bible Translations Notes
(on Ezra 1:2)
For he was chief monarch and had many nations under his dominion, which this heathen king confesses to have received from the living God.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
(on Ezra 1:1-4)
God governs the world by his influence on the spirits of men; whatever good they do, God stirs up their spirits to do it.
Daniel 4:34-35
And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
(on Daniel 4:35)
He [God] disposes of men on earth, and puts them into such stations, and such conditions and circumstances, and appoints them such business and services, as he thinks meet . . . The "inhabitants of the earth" are the men of it, as before, with whom he does as he pleases in things temporal and civil, making some rich, and others poor; raising some to great honour and dignity, while others live in meanness, poverty, and disgrace . . . he does what he will with his own; he bestows grace and glory on whomsoever he pleases, as free grace gifts, without any merit of the creature, according to his sovereign will and pleasure.
Acts 17:23-28 (Paul speaking)
For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary*
(on Acts 17:26-27)
And hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation — The apostle here opposes both Stoical Fate and Epicurean Chance, ascribing the periods and localities in which men and nations flourish to the sovereign will and prearrangements of a living God.
Acts 4:26-28
The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
(on Acts 4:28)
And thy counsel determined before to be done: God's decrees are from eternity; there is nothing comes to pass in time but what he has beforetime determined should be done, either by effecting it himself, or doing it by others, or suffering it to be done, as in the case here. Whatever was done to Christ, either by Jews or Gentiles, by Herod or Pontius Pilate, was according to the secret will of God, the covenant he made with Christ, and the council of peace that was between them both: what they wickedly did, God designed for good, and hereby brought about the redemption and salvation of his people: this neither makes God the author of sin, nor excuses the sinful actions of men, or infringes the liberty of their wills in acting.
Deuteronomy 8:18
But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
Geneva Bible Translation Notes
(on Deuteronomy 8:18)
If things concerning this life proceed only from God's mercy, how much more do spiritual gifts and everlasting life.
Deuteronomy 7:15
And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but WILL lay them upon all them that hate thee.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
(on Deuteronomy 7:15)
Diseases are God's servants; they go where he sends them, and do what he bids them . . . God will do his own work in his own method and time; and we may be sure that they are always the best.
John Wesley's Explanatory Notes
(on Deuteronomy 7:15)
[Repeating Matthew Henry] Diseases are God's servants, which go where he sends them, and do what he bids them.
He even, at times, controls individual people:
1 Samuel 16:14
But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit FROM the LORD troubled him.
Geneva Bible Translation Notes
(on 1 Samuel 16:14)
The wicked spirits are at God's commandment* to execute his will against the wicked.
Also, seen in 1 Samuel 16:16; and 19:9.
Exodus 9:12a
And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh...
Poor Man's Commentary by Robert Hawker
(on 1 Exodus 9:12a)
Observe the change of expression. Upon several instances before, it is said that Pharaoh hardened his own heart: but here it is said, that the Lord hardened it.
Also seen in Exodus 10:20; 10:27; 11:10; and 14:8.
1 Kings 22:23
Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.
Adam Clark's Commentary on the Bible
(on 1 Kings 22:23)
The Lord hath put a lying spirit - He hath permitted or suffered a lying spirit to influence thy prophets. Is it requisite again to remind the reader that the Scriptures repeatedly represent God as doing what, in the course of his providence, he only permits or suffers to be done? Nothing can be done in heaven, in earth, or hell, but either by his immediate energy or permission*. This is the reason why the Scripture speaks as above.
2 Chronicles 18:22
Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.
I want to point out that God can, and does, exercise complete control over His entire creation. And if that is so – as the scriptures that I used dictate – then can it be absurd for me to say that it was by the power of God that on that certain day at my job the folks were being cruel in the morning and were as gentle as lambs in the afternoon? Can it really be that God was using this example for my benefit and education? And, especially, so that I could pass this knowledge on for the sake of others?
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Let verse 1 of Romans chapter 13 sink in a bit . . . What exactly are the higher powers? But, more importantly, we must digest the second and third parts of that passage: "there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." This, of course, will also depend on our interpretation of how much power God has over this universe, this planet, and our very lives. I addressed this question earlier, Remember? How much does God intervene with our lives? Well, I will tell you for sure that this book assumes that God intervenes one hundred percent with most of the life forms on this planet.* Is that a bad assumption? Well, if we are to believe the scriptures, then we have no choice but to believe it . . . Let's observe:
Psalms 46:7-10
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible*
(on Psalms 46:8)
See empires destroyed and regenerated; and in such a way as to show that a supernatural agency has been at work. By the hand of God alone could these great changes be effected.
The Treasury of David*
(on Psalms 46:9)
His voice quiets the tumult of war, and calls for the silence of peace. However remote and barbarous the tribe, he awes the people into rest. He crushes the great powers till they cannot provoke strife again.
Colossians 1:16-17
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible*
(on Colossians 1:16)
All things were created . . . for Him: that is, for his pleasure, that he may take delight and complacency in them, and in his own perfections displayed by them; and for his service and use, as the angels, to worship him and minister to him and for others, he sends them to: elect men are made to serve and glorify him with their bodies and spirits, which are his; and even the non-elect are made to subserve his mediatorial kingdom and interest; yea, the whole world is built and kept in being purely on his account, until he has finished the great affair of the salvation of his people.
1 Timothy 6:14-16
That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and ONLY POTENTATE, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
(on 1 Timothy 6:15)
And only Potentate . . . or, Governor of the whole world, which can be said of none but himself: he is the Governor among the nations, and over all the nations of the earth; his kingdom rules over all other kingdoms; and he has his power and government from himself, whereas all other potentates have their power from him, as follows: the King of kings, and Lord of lords; from whom they receive their sceptres, crowns, and kingdoms; by whom they reign, and are continued in their power; for he sets up kings, and removes kings at his pleasure, and to him they must be accountable for all their administrations another day; and at present they are under his influence, and at his control; he has their hearts, and their counsels, as well as kingdoms, in his hands, and under his overruling providence; and causes all to answer his wise and eternal purposes.
1 Chronicles 29:10-12
Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
(on 1 Chronicles 29:12)
"Both riches and honour come of thee": Whatever of either the children of men have is not owing to their merits, nor to their diligence and industry, and wise conduct, but to the providence of God, Ecclesiastes 9:11, so the gods with the Heathens are said to be givers of riches: "and thou reignest over all": govern the world by wisdom, and dispose all things in it for the best. "in thine hand is power and might": to do whatsoever he pleaseth. "and in thine hand it is to make great": in worldly things, and so in spiritual. "and to give strength unto all": against their enemies, and to do the will and work of God; of all which David had had an experience.
Isaiah 45:7*
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
Geneva Bible Translation Notes*
(on Isaiah 45:7)
I send peace and war, prosperity and adversity.
Job 12:9-10
Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
(on Job 12:9-10)
In whose hand is the soul of every living thing . . . Of every animal, of every brute creature, as distinct from man, in the next clause: the life of everyone of them is from him, and it is continued by him as long as he pleases, nor can it be taken away without his leave; two sparrows, which are not worth more than a farthing, not one of them falls to the ground, or dies without the knowledge and will of God, Matthew 10:29; of the soul or spirit of beasts, see Ecclesiastes 3:21.
Albert Barne's Notes on the Bible*
(on Job 12:9-10)
In whose hand is the soul of every living thing . . . The idea is, that all are under the control of God. He gives life, and health, and happiness when he pleases, and when he chooses he takes them away. His sovereignty is manifested, says Job, in the inferior creation, or among the beasts of the field, the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of heaven.
Proverbs 19:21
There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
Geneva Bible Translation Notes
(on Proverbs 19:21)
Man's device will not have success, unless God governs it, whose purpose is unchangeable.
Isaiah 14:24
The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
(on Isaiah 14:24)
surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; as he had shaped and schemed it, and drew the form and image in his own mind, or fixed and settled it there, so should it be done in due time, as every thing is that is determined by the Lord; and this shows that nothing is casual, or comes by chance, but everything as it is purposed of God; and that as everything comes to pass which he has resolved, so every such resolution proceeds from thought, and is the produce of the highest wisdom and prudence . . . And as I have purposed, so it shall stand; or "counselled"; within himself, for he does all things according to the counsel of his will; and which always stands firm, sure, and unalterable, let what devices soever be in the heart of man.
1 Samuel 2:6-7
The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
Poor Man's Commentary by Robert Hawker*
(on 1 Samuel 2:6-7)
These are all so many beautiful repetitions of the same important doctrine, in asserting God’s sovereignty over all things, both in the kingdoms of providence, and of grace.
Psalms 50:10-11
For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
Albert Barne's Notes on the Bible
(on Psalms 50:10-11)
It is a beautiful and impressive thought, that the “property” in all these animals - in all living things on the earth - is in God, and that he has a right to dispose of them as he pleases. What man owns, he owns under God, and has no right to complain when God comes and asserts his superior claim to dispose of it at his pleasure. God has never given to man the absolute proprietorship in “any” thing; nor does he invade our rights when he comes and claims what we possess, or when in any way he removes what is most valuable to us. Compare Job 1:21: "And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
If one is to not know that God is supreme and omnipotent, then one does not know God! For further research, also see Luke 1:37; Jeremiah 32:27; Isaiah 40:28; Job 42:2; Isaiah 44:24; Revelation 19:6; and Jeremiah 10:12.
Considering a God like this, can we truly say that it's impossible for Him to intervene in our lives? But, wouldn't that interfere with free-will, though? No, it doesn't. God must certainly intrude in on our flesh-feast if we are ever to learn about Him, right? Does not the scripture say that we cannot even come to Him unless the Spirit first draw us?* If God didn't intervene even at that moment, then there is truly no hope for any of us! And, if He first draw us, what's to stop Him from participating in our lives afterwards? So, to balance and make sense of all these things – and I will walk the tightrope here in not trying to get caught up in the Predestination vs Free-will debate*, nor of what satan's in-depth role is in all of this commotion* (for I shall cover both subjects in upcoming books) – I will certainly be as informative as possible in my present task on this vast subject.
Now, let's dig even deeper to see that God can truly intervene in our personal lives...
Proverbs 20:24
Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
(on Proverbs 20:24)
Man's goings are of the Lord . . . In a natural and literal sense, the instruments of going are of the Lord; the act of motion from place to place is not without the concourse of his providence; as in him we live, and move, and have our being, so "in and by him we move"; he preserves our going out and coming in; and as the preservation, so the success and prosperity of journeying are owing to his providence, and the whole is under his care and direction: and so likewise, in a civil sense, all the civil concerns, business, and actions of life, are guided by his providence; there is a time for every purpose under heaven, and the success of all depends on a divine blessing; and things are with every man in civil life according to the providence of God, and as it is his pleasure they should be; and it is by him they are directed to take this and the other step, the issue of which is according to his will: and this may be applied to men's goings in a spiritual and religious sense.
Adam Clark's Commentary on the Bible
(on Proverbs 20:24)
Man’s goings are of the Lord - He, by his providence, governs all the great concerns of the world. Man often traverses these operations; but he does it to his own damage. An old writer quaintly says: 'They who will carve for themselves shall cut their fingers.'
Albert Barnes Notes on the Bible
(on Proverbs 20:24)
The order of a man’s life is a mystery even to himself. He knows not where he is going, or for what God is educating him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the whole Bible*
(on Proverbs 20:24)
We are here taught that in all our affairs, 1. We have a necessary and constant dependence upon God. All our natural actions depend upon his providence, all our spiritual actions upon his grace. The best man is no better than God makes him; and every creature is that to us which it is the will of God that it should be. Our enterprises succeed, not as we desire and design, but as God directs and disposes. The goings even of a strong man (so the word signifies) are of the Lord, for his strength is weakness without God, nor is the battle always to the strong . . . 2. We have no foresight of future events, and therefore know not how to forecast for them: How can a man understand his own way? How can he tell what will befall him, since God's counsels concerning him are secret, and therefore how can he of himself contrive what to do without divine direction? We so little understand our own way that we know not what is good for ourselves, and therefore we must make a virtue of necessity, and commit our way unto the Lord, in whose hand it is, follow the guidance and submit to the disposal of Providence.
So much that one little scripture can say! But, let's continue:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
The People's New Testament*
(on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Ye are not your own. But members of Christ, and hence have not the right to use our bodies to our own pleasure. Ye are bought with a price. Christ paid the price, even his blood. Hence, since both body and spirit are God's, both should be used to glorify him. The fact that we are his, purchased, parts of his spiritual temple, makes the obligation imperative to consecrate the body and spirit to his service.
John Wesley's Explanatory Notes*
(on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
And even your body is not, strictly speaking, your own even this is the temple of the Holy Ghost - Dedicated to him, and inhabited by him.
Albert Barnes Notes on the Bible
(on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
We are purchased; we belong to God; we are his by redemption; by a precious price paid; and we are bound, therefore, to devote ourselves, body, soul, and spirit, as he directs, to the glory of his name, not to the gratification of the flesh.
The Biblical Illustrator*
(on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Ye are not your own: To be “our own” is our very greatest ambition. To be our own masters, that is nature . . . God has been pleased so to order it, that no man can truly say, “I am my own”; “Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are,” &c . . . Of all the happy conditions upon earth, the happiest is to give up the whole heart to an authority which the whole heart can quite love and respect . . . God’s property in you: A father has a right to his child, but God has done more than made you His child, for He has given you the spirit of a child, to cry “Abba Father.” . . . Christ has more than a right to His body, being the Head, and we all members in particular; so that each condition of life teaches us with one common voice, “Ye are not your own.”
Adam Clark's Commentary on the Bible
(on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
And ye are not your own? - Ye have no right over yourselves, to dispose either of your body, or any of its members, as you may think proper or lawful; you are bound to God, and to him you are accountable.
But what about my right to choose my own will? I, for one, do believe in free-will, but that it has its limitations. What do I mean? Well, let's consider Jonah, who had made up his mind that he was going to go against a direct order from God and not go to Nineveh to preach. His own free-will told him no, but even though he made that free-will choice, God, on the other hand, intervened with that decision, and ended up changing Jonah's mind about preaching there because of a tribulation that God sent him through, which Jonah ended up calling hell! – Jonah 2:2* – that is, considering the severity of the trial in which he endured. Jonah then, after spending a few days in the whale's belly, made a new choice – choosing, instead, to do God's will . . . So, what does that mean? It means that we can make our own decisions, but if they are the wrong decisions, and if those decisions go against God's will*, then He will end up changing our minds for us. Does He really do that? And, if so, is that wrong for Him to do? And just because this happened to Jonah, does it necessarily mean that it'll happen to us?
Romans 9:20-21
Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
It's not too hard to interpret Paul's words here. Simply put, God has complete control over His creation, to do with it as He sees fit, or as He pleases. And, while trying to explain these kinds of thoughts all during chapter 9 of Romans, Paul was very tempted to say – and actually did say:
Romans 9:14
What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
What would prompt him to even ask such a question? Surely, he knew that others would ask it. And, his answer? God forbid! In other words, No! – there is no unrighteousness with God. Simply put, God is God, and there is none other beside Him. He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. He has the power to intervene with our lives, and make them go into directions that pleases Him . . . Does that take away our free-will? Again, no, it does not. But, our freedom is limited when we make stupid decisions. Decisions, that is, that will end up harming us, or destroying us; or, and more especially, decisions that would end up harming other people . . . Folks, this works in the very same manner as a parent gives limited freedom to their own child. In that, if something will harm the child, the parent will step in and dictate the situation. Only, God does this on a much larger scale.
Therefore, with all this in mind, it's not crazy to think that God intervenes and interferes with our lives. It's not crazy to think that He can lead and guide our steps. And, it's not crazy to say that if we aren't following His will, that he can make us change our minds so that we do the right things.
But, even if this is so – that is, leading and guiding, and intervening in people's lives – what about those who don't serve God? Can God control their movements as well?
Isaiah 10:5-6
O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
Albert Barnes Notes on the Bible
(on Isaiah 10:5)
The Hebrew would bear the interpretation that the Assyrian was, an object against which God was angry; but the former is evidently the sense of the passage, as denoting that the Assyrian was the agent by which he would express his anger against a guilty people.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
(on Isaiah 10:5-19)
The king of Assyria, in his pride, thought to act by his own will. The tyrants of the world are tools of Providence. God designs to correct his people for their hypocrisy, and bring them nearer to him . . . The Assyrian boasts what great things he has done to other nations, by his own policy and power. He knows not that it is God who makes him what he is, and puts the staff into his hand . . . When God brings his people into trouble, it is to bring sin to their remembrance, and humble them, and to awaken them to a sense of their duty; this must be the fruit, even the taking away of sin.
Judges 2:14
And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.
Joshua 11:20
For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Deuteronomy 32:8
When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.
John Wesley's Explanatory Notes
(on Deuteronomy 32:8)
And therefore he so guided the hearts of several people, that the posterity of Canaan, which was accursed of God, and devoted to ruin, should be seated in that country which God intended for the children of Israel, that so when their iniquities were ripe, they might be rooted out, and the Israelites come in their stead.
Psalms 75:7
But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
The Treasury of David
(on Psalms 75:7)
“But God is the judge.” Even now he is actually judging. His seat is not vacant; his authority is not abdicated; the Lord reigneth evermore “He putteth down one, and setteth up another.” Empires rise and fall at his bidding. A dungeon here, and there a throne, his will assigns. Assyria yields to Babylon, and Babylon, to the Medes. Kings are but puppets in his hand; they serve his purpose when they rise and when they fall. A certain author has issued a work called “Historic Ninepins,” a fit name of scorn for all the great ones of the earth. God only is; all power belongs to him; all else is shadow, coming and going, unsubstantial, misty, dream-like.
Ezra 1:1-2
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
Geneva Bible Translations Notes
(on Ezra 1:2)
For he was chief monarch and had many nations under his dominion, which this heathen king confesses to have received from the living God.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
(on Ezra 1:1-4)
God governs the world by his influence on the spirits of men; whatever good they do, God stirs up their spirits to do it.
Daniel 4:34-35
And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
(on Daniel 4:35)
He [God] disposes of men on earth, and puts them into such stations, and such conditions and circumstances, and appoints them such business and services, as he thinks meet . . . The "inhabitants of the earth" are the men of it, as before, with whom he does as he pleases in things temporal and civil, making some rich, and others poor; raising some to great honour and dignity, while others live in meanness, poverty, and disgrace . . . he does what he will with his own; he bestows grace and glory on whomsoever he pleases, as free grace gifts, without any merit of the creature, according to his sovereign will and pleasure.
Acts 17:23-28 (Paul speaking)
For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary*
(on Acts 17:26-27)
And hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation — The apostle here opposes both Stoical Fate and Epicurean Chance, ascribing the periods and localities in which men and nations flourish to the sovereign will and prearrangements of a living God.
Acts 4:26-28
The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
(on Acts 4:28)
And thy counsel determined before to be done: God's decrees are from eternity; there is nothing comes to pass in time but what he has beforetime determined should be done, either by effecting it himself, or doing it by others, or suffering it to be done, as in the case here. Whatever was done to Christ, either by Jews or Gentiles, by Herod or Pontius Pilate, was according to the secret will of God, the covenant he made with Christ, and the council of peace that was between them both: what they wickedly did, God designed for good, and hereby brought about the redemption and salvation of his people: this neither makes God the author of sin, nor excuses the sinful actions of men, or infringes the liberty of their wills in acting.
Deuteronomy 8:18
But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
Geneva Bible Translation Notes
(on Deuteronomy 8:18)
If things concerning this life proceed only from God's mercy, how much more do spiritual gifts and everlasting life.
Deuteronomy 7:15
And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but WILL lay them upon all them that hate thee.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
(on Deuteronomy 7:15)
Diseases are God's servants; they go where he sends them, and do what he bids them . . . God will do his own work in his own method and time; and we may be sure that they are always the best.
John Wesley's Explanatory Notes
(on Deuteronomy 7:15)
[Repeating Matthew Henry] Diseases are God's servants, which go where he sends them, and do what he bids them.
He even, at times, controls individual people:
1 Samuel 16:14
But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit FROM the LORD troubled him.
Geneva Bible Translation Notes
(on 1 Samuel 16:14)
The wicked spirits are at God's commandment* to execute his will against the wicked.
Also, seen in 1 Samuel 16:16; and 19:9.
Exodus 9:12a
And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh...
Poor Man's Commentary by Robert Hawker
(on 1 Exodus 9:12a)
Observe the change of expression. Upon several instances before, it is said that Pharaoh hardened his own heart: but here it is said, that the Lord hardened it.
Also seen in Exodus 10:20; 10:27; 11:10; and 14:8.
1 Kings 22:23
Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.
Adam Clark's Commentary on the Bible
(on 1 Kings 22:23)
The Lord hath put a lying spirit - He hath permitted or suffered a lying spirit to influence thy prophets. Is it requisite again to remind the reader that the Scriptures repeatedly represent God as doing what, in the course of his providence, he only permits or suffers to be done? Nothing can be done in heaven, in earth, or hell, but either by his immediate energy or permission*. This is the reason why the Scripture speaks as above.
2 Chronicles 18:22
Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.
I want to point out that God can, and does, exercise complete control over His entire creation. And if that is so – as the scriptures that I used dictate – then can it be absurd for me to say that it was by the power of God that on that certain day at my job the folks were being cruel in the morning and were as gentle as lambs in the afternoon? Can it really be that God was using this example for my benefit and education? And, especially, so that I could pass this knowledge on for the sake of others?
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