Do Our Choices Really Matter?

God is Sovereign—He does what He wants to do. In view of God’s sovereignty, then, do our choices really matter? Do the things that we do really make a difference? And is it really purposeful, today, that we seek the Lord and pray?

According to Scripture, the answer is yes—God has not predetermined everything that may happen! Within a rebuke of King Saul, for instance, Samuel clearly confirmed man’s real effect by his words:

“. . .You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you. For now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue.”  (1 Samuel 13:13-14 NKJV)

Then, even within a reproof toward His people, the Lord established this truth by His words: “‘. . . I did not command them, nor did it come to my mind that they should do this abomination . . . ’” (Jer. 32:35 NKJV). As Scripture makes so very clear, God has chosen to limit Himself and to engage in real relationships with men. (See also the following: Jer. 23:32, Jer. 32:30-35, Jer. 18:7-10, 1 Sam. 13:13-14, Jer. 26:3, and Jon. 3:9-10.)

(Note: It is significant that we have a balanced view of God’s sovereignty—there are so many ramifications when we don’t.  Because of this, I further recommend to you the book excerpt "The Place of Man's Authority"—as well as the entirety of my book entitled God’s Sovereignty and Our Responsibility: His Heart for All Men. Click here for more information.)