– Pastor Jim McClarty, Grace Christian Assembly, Smyrna, Tennessee

Jehovah of Scripture describes Himself as being the Creator, the cause, the purpose and the final end of all things. When He calls Himself El Shaddai, or God Almighty, certain implications become axiomatic. For instance, if God is indeed omnipotent, or all-powerful, then there is no residual power separate from Him. No event empowers itself in a universe ruled by one who has “all power.” That is why God declared His absolute authority over light and dark, peace and evil. The Lord does all these things. Without Him nothing is formed, nothing exists, nothing occurs.

“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:3)

But, even beyond the fact that all creation was manufactured by God, it is equally true that all creation was formed for God. It all serves His purpose.

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Rev. 4:11)

All things that are, or which have ever been, find their purpose in the glorification of God. God empowers all things; therefore all things happen in accordance with His will and good pleasure. The events of history, playing out in time, serve God’s greater purpose: the revelation and glorification of Himself.

But — For some inexplicable reason, human beings think that God’s absolute supremacy stops at the doorstep of their “free will.”

With almost unimaginable hubris, the creature stiff-arms the Creator, shoving His hand in the Almighty’s face and announcing, “I will decide for myself how much influence I will allow you to have over me!”