As you go through life, you are guaranteed to face problems.

Job 5:7

7 For man is born for trouble,

As sparks fly upward.

There are some things that God has provided to make you able to handle the problems that will come your way. One of the ways you can take a step back and relax in adversity is to remember the promises that God has made to you. If you don’t have a good list, there is one here. It is simply a question of you listening to the promise God has made, and having faith that it is true, and then you can rest in the knowledge that God keeps His promises.

Another method that God gives us to handle problems is for us to think about who and what God is, or what His characteristics are. This is not a study of the concept of the trinity, but recognize that all three members of the trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) share the same characteristics. Today we’ll look at the first of ten.

SOVEREIGNTY

Deuteronomy 4:39

39 "Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.

Know that God is supreme in rule and has authority over all things. He has absolute will and authority to accomplish exactly what He wants to accomplish.

Isaiah 46:10

10 Declaring the end from the beginning,

And from ancient times things which have not been done,

Saying, "My purpose will be established,

And I will accomplish all My good pleasure';

There is nothing that God cannot do. He has the authority to do exactly what He wants to do. He doesn’t have to check with His boss!

Psalms 93:1-2

1 The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty;

The LORD has clothed and girded Himself with strength;

Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.

2 Your throne is established from of old;

You are from everlasting.

If you are struggling in a situation, and don’t think that God can help you, remember the sovereignty of God. He has absolute authority to do whatever He wants. Of course, everything He wants does not happen, because He still allows us to make our own decisions. Otherwise, everyone would be saved:

1 Timothy 2:3-4

3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Peter 3:9

9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

So realize that God has a perfect will, and the absolute authority to accomplish that will. But God will never use that absolute will to coerce us!

John 7:17

17 "If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself.