How to Know God as Almighty and Sovereign LORD ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba

Over the past few weeks, I wrote to you about the first foundational truth that can transform your life into one in which you awaken each day amazed by joy, undaunted by the storms of life. Faith begins with knowing God IS. Within those two words we begin to see the characteristics of God as the Great I am. We are nothing, having no being; until we find our Being in Him, who created us each and gave us life. Beyond knowing our existence in Him, we need also to understand that God IS Almighty! His power and might is above all other powers. He rules with Sovereign might over the affairs of men (women and children); just as He rules over the stars, the animal kingdom, and everything within the Universe. As the Almighty Ruler; then, we must understand that He will accomplish His purpose in our life.

Even in those moments that we do not understand the plan; we can trust the heart of Almighty God, who loved us with all His might. Nothing happens in my life or your; but, that God Almighty has allowed or ordained to fulfill His purpose in our lives. He, who created me, knows every crevice of my heart; knows also exactly what is needed to transform my heart into one that finds my joy, my hope, and my pleasure in Him. He knows that in the end; He is that which will fully satisfy my heart.

ISAIAH 46 (NKJV)

Remember the former things of old,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me,
¹⁰Declaring 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,’
¹¹… Indeed, I have spoken it;
(and) I will also bring it to pass.
I have purposed it;
(therefore,) I will also do it.

¹²“Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted,
Who are far from righteousness:
¹³I bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off;
My salvation shall not linger.

God pleads and draws near to us, who so stubbornly desire our own will; as though, we really know what is best for our own lives. We think we know what will bring us pleasure; only to be disappointed repeatedly with counterfeit joys. In His Sovereignty, often God allows us to face disappointment, trials and sorrows; so that we might ultimately seek Him and then find our rest and comfort in Him. When we begin to see our trials through His Almighty Hands of love; we, learn to seek Him in the center of every storm. His only desire, in the end is our fulfillment of Joy, Love, and Glory in Him; for He IS all that we need.

AN EXAMPLE WITH JOB

Job had been a righteous man, even before the disaster came. He prayed, offered sacrifice, and worshipped God; however, he never fully understood God’s almighty power to bring him into a closer relationship with God, until Job lost everything. He knew of God before the tragedy; but, he really knew God intimately after the tragedy struck. I won’t try to recall the entire story of Job here; but, I urge you to go to the book of Job and read it for yourself. I do want to point out this one statement by one of Job’s “friends” and refer you to God’s own dissertation that followed in Job 38-42, in which God declares once more Himself as the Almighty Ruler over all.

“You who think you know so much,^[b] teach the rest of us how we should approach God. For we are too dull to know! With your wisdom, would we then dare to approach him? Well, does a man wish to be swallowed alive? ²¹For as we cannot look at the sun for its brightness when the winds have cleared away the clouds, ²²neither can we gaze at the terrible majesty of God breaking forth upon us from heaven, clothed in dazzling splendor. ²³We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty, and yet he is so just and merciful that he does not destroy us. ²⁴No wonder men everywhere fear him! For he is not impressed by the world’s wisest men!”Job 37 (TLB)

HOW TO APPROACH GOD ALMIGHTY

The dissertation of Job’s friend, at first; sounds true. Only, the friend is missing one thing! We are called upon by God to approach His throne of Grace, boldly. He bids us to covenant with Him. Yes, we should fear Him; if we do not allow Him into our own lives. Yet, if I come to Him with a heart humbled by the reality that He is Sovereign Lord and I, a sinner in need of Him to provide for me His Righteousness; He will save me and will do the work needed to transform my heart.

That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the Lord thy God, and into his oath, which the Lord thy God maketh with thee this day:That he may establish thee today for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God

And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. And the Lord thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, for the Lord will again rejoice over thee for good If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. Deuteronomy 29: 12-13 and 30:6,9

A CALL TO APPROACH THE ALMIGHTY

When we fully understand that God is Almighty, we may at first tremble; however, He has provided a way for our salvation through Jesus Christ, who was the propitiation for our sins.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

Then, we can trust God Almighty to complete His Purpose and plan in our lives. No matter what comes or confronts us; we can trust that He has the best plan for our lives.

we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Because God is Almighty, I can trust Him–no matter what. His purpose in my life is to bring me closer to Him; therefore, I know His Heart is for my good. I will not worry; because, He holds my hand. Because, I know God is Almighty, my heart awakens each morning amazed by joy, undaunted by the storms.

CONCLUDING TWEETS

[tweetthis]Because God is Almighty, I can trust Him with every detail in my life[/tweetthis]

[bctt tweet=”Because of Jesus Christ, I can come before God Almighty boldly to bow at His throne of Grace” username=”effiedarlene”]

This is an original Drawing by an amazing artist whom I love and admire. Please check out his work at http://roninron.com Because he did this drawing with a piece of paper and a pencil only, I am awed by the talent God has blessed him with. Also, because it is protected under copyright, it cannot be copied or duplicated without permission.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Featured picture at top of post courtesy of https://unsplash.com/collections/212185/the-almighty

New King James Version (NKJV)

Living Bible (TLB)