God’s Sovereignty – Word for the Soul

A Golden Opportunity

June 23, 2025June 19, 2025 Loring Schultz

“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 NIV

Occasionally, in our lives we come across the opportunity of a lifetime. Whether it’s a dream job, an exotic vacation, meeting a celebrity or favorite sports figure, a scholarship to a major university or being appointed to a high-level government position, we look at it as a golden opportunity, one that is too good to pass up. Opportunities may come about by chance with no effort on our part without the hard work of blood, sweat, and tears. Whatever the case, we are grateful for the opportunity and do not take it for granted.

The biblical figure ‘Job’ is often referenced in describing those who are suffering or have suffered due to some personal tragedy in their lives. Job is the perfect example in these circumstances as it is said in comparison, ‘no one has suffered more next to Job.’ Job had lost his entire family, save his wife, all his livestock, and his servants in one day by Satan’s hand as he accused Job’s integrity before God. God then permitted Satan to afflict Job with painful sores over his entire body, knowing the He could trust Job to remain faithful. The Lord did permit the attacks on Job proving to Satan Job’s faithfulness that he would not curse God, but also to give Job a golden opportunity.

On the surface, Job’s suffering does not look like a golden opportunity. Job himself, throughout the book of Job questions why the suffering, but is convinced he did nothing wrong. Job relays to his three friends that God knows of his conduct and is testing him, not to refine him by purifying him of his sins, but to prove his innocence and he will come forth as gold. (Job 23:10)

Does God test His children today? Yes, I’m afraid He does. But He puts us to the test to draw ourselves closer to Him, to increase our faith in Him, to trust His plan for us, and to show ourselves as a true follower of Jesus to others in need. It may be hard at the time, but may we thank the Lord for each golden opportunity.

Devotionals

Our Great and Powerful God

February 20, 2025February 18, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: Daniel 4:1-3 NLT – Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream about a Tree – Bible Gateway

“Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory.” Romans 11:33, 26 NLT

It’s hard for the mortal to understand the immortal. For us the God of the universe with unlimited power and knowledge is hard to wrap our minds around. Most of us take it by faith through reading and believing the Scriptures, and some others witness His great power through a life-changing event experiencing firsthand the greatness and power God. Nebuchadnezzar experienced the latter and was able to grasp the power and sovereignty of God in the events found in the book of Daniel chapter four.

Nebuchadnezzar introduces the narrative of his encounter with God saying, “I want you all to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how powerful his wonders!” (Dan.4:2-3 nlt) Nebuchadnezzar was shown the greatness, power, and sovereignty of God in a most humiliating way. He saw firsthand how great and powerful God was and how small and insignificant he was. God is ruler over all, and all for His glory.

The apostle Paul writes in Romans, “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory.” (11:33, 36 nlt) Paul is breaking out in praise for God’s greatness, power, wisdom, and knowledge that brought about the plan of salvation by His sovereign will for all people. We may not be able to wrap our minds around that either, so it’s OK to receive it by faith (Eph.2:8-9), or if you need a Nebuchadnezzar experience the Lord will provide one for you. Just be sure to respond to the call.

Devotionals

God’s Sovereignty: The book of Daniel, a book of encouragement

December 27, 2024December 26, 2024 Loring Schultz

“….. the Most High God rules over the kingdoms of the world and appoints anyone he desires to rule over them.” Daniel 5:21b NLT

Webster’s New World dictionary defines ‘sovereignty’ as, “the status, rule, etc. of a sovereign (above all others), supreme and independent political authority.” There is only one sovereign, the Lord God, and one book in the Bible that describes it as none other is the Old Testament book of Daniel. The book ‘Daniel’ was written 2,500 years ago describing the events of that day with many similarities to our day.

God was in control with the state of His people living in a foreign land after being carried off to Babylon during the destruction of Jerusalem. Although they were there due to their sin, God did not forget them but worked out His purposes and shown His sovereignty through them. Christians today living in oppressed countries against Christianity face the same circumstances as the Jews living in Babylon. But God still shows His sovereignty in the events of nations including our own.

The book of Daniel is an encouragement for all believers who find themselves in uncomfortable situations in knowing the Lord God put us there, whether due to our sin or not. He is in control, God is sovereign. Indeed, God controls the events of lives and the status of the nations today and into the future. We as Christians need not worry how things will turn out in our individual lives or in world affairs. God has it planned, and it will turn out for our good as He is in control.

God’s sovereignty is on display in Daniel’s writing bringing us encouragement for the future. Daniel was a prophet who also wrote the words of Lord God concerning what we call today ‘the end times.’ We may not be able to understand it all, but it is good news for all who trust God and have accepted His Son as savior. Yes, God is in control, and He is sovereign. The book of Daniel is a book of encouragement for every believer. I encourage you to read through it with the Holy Spirit’s guidance and see how God’s sovereignty is working in your life.