God's Sovereignty in Crisis Moments and Trials

The concept of God's sovereignty is deeply intertwined with the idea of His power and control over all circumstances, including crisis moments and trials. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, God's power is described as supreme, unlimited, and everlasting, emphasizing His capability to subdue all things and uphold all creation ^{[1, 4]}.

In times of trouble, the Psalmist affirms that "the Lord is the saviour of the upright: he is their strength in the time of trouble" ^[3]. This assurance is rooted in the understanding that God's sovereignty is not limited by human circumstances. His righteousness is a fundamental aspect of His character, described as very high, abundant, and everlasting ^[2].

The sovereignty of God in crisis moments is not just a passive attribute but is actively demonstrated through His actions. He is described as a refuge and strength to the afflicted, comforting and preserving them ^[5]. The biblical narrative is replete with instances where God's sovereignty is exercised on behalf of His people, delivering them from their troubles.

Different Christian traditions interpret the extent and nature of God's sovereignty in trials. For instance, the Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, as represented by Matthew Henry, emphasizes God's supreme presidency and power in all councils and courts, asserting His control over both the legislative and executive powers of princes ^[7]. Similarly, the Baptist/Reformed tradition, as seen in John Gill's commentary, highlights Christ's presence with His people, supporting, comforting, and preserving them in times of trial ^[8].

The Protestant academic tradition, as represented by Tyndale House, notes that the sovereignty of God is a recurring theme in biblical literature, often invoked in contexts where God's people are facing judgment or crisis. For example, in Romans 14:11, the quotation from Isaiah 45:23 is surrounded by assertions of God's sovereignty, underscoring His right to stand in judgment ^[9].

In the face of trials, believers are encouraged to exhibit resignation to the will of God, submitting to His sovereignty in His purposes. This is exemplified in Christ's example of submission to the Father's will, even in the face of suffering ^[6].

Ultimately, the sovereignty of God in crisis moments and trials serves as a foundation for trust and hope. As the Psalmist petitions, "Wake up, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever" ^[11], highlighting the tension between the believer's plea for intervention and the assurance of God's sovereign control.

The book of Revelation further reinforces this understanding, depicting the prayers of God's people as a significant basis for the judgments and plagues that unfold, underscoring the interplay between divine sovereignty and human prayer ^[10]. In this context, God's sovereignty is not a distant or abstract concept but a living reality that intersects with the lives of believers in their moments of crisis and trial.

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Power of Christ, The — As the Son of God, is the power of God -- Joh 5:17-19; 10:28-30. As man, is from the Father -- Ac 10:38. Described as Supreme. -- Eph 1:20,21; 1Pe 3:22. Unlimited. -- Mt 28:18. Over all flesh. -- Joh 17:2. Over all things. -- Joh 3:35; Eph 1:22. Glorious. -- 2Th 1:9. Everlasting. -- 1Ti 6:16. Is able to subdue all things -- Php 3:21. Exhibited in Creation. -- Joh 1:3,10; Col 1:16. Upholding all things. -- Col 1:17; Heb 1:3. Salvation. -- Isa 63:1; Heb 7:25. His teaching. -- Mt 7:28,29; Lu 4:32. Working miracles. -- Mt 8:27; Lu 5:17. Enabling ot”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Righteousness of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ps 7:9; 116:5; 119:137. Described as Very high. -- Ps 71:19. Abundant. -- Ps 48:10. Beyond computation. -- Ps 71:15. Everlasting. -- Ps 119:142. Enduring for ever. -- Ps 111:3. The habitation of his throne. -- Ps 97:2. Christ acknowledged -- Joh 17:25. Christ committed his cause to -- 1Pe 2:23. Angels acknowledge -- Re 16:5. Exhibited in His testimonies. -- Ps 119:138,144. His commandments. -- De 4:8; Ps 119:172. His judgments. -- Ps 19:9; 119:7,62. His word. -- Ps 119:123. His ways. -- Ps 145:17. His acts. -- J”
Psalms “Psalms 37:39 (BBE) — But the Lord is the saviour of the upright: he is their strength in the time of trouble.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Power of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- Ps 62:11. Expressed by the Voice of God. -- Ps 29:3,5; 68:33. Finger of God. -- Ex 8:19; Ps 8:3. Hand of God. -- Ex 9:3,15; Isa 48:13. Arm of God. -- Job 40:9; Isa 52:10. Thunder of his power. -- Job 26:14. Described as Great. -- Ps 79:11; Na 1:3. Strong. -- Ps 89:13; 136:12. Glorious. -- Ex 15:6; Isa 63:12. Mighty. -- Job 9:4; Ps 89:13. Everlasting. -- Isa 26:4; Ro 1:20. Sovereign. -- Ro 9:21. Effectual. -- Isa 43:13; Eph 3:7. Irresistible. -- De 32:39; Da 4:35. Incomparable. -- Ex 15:11,12; De 3:24; Job 40:9; Ps 89:8.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted Saints — God is with -- Ps 46:5,7; Isa 43:2. God is a refuge and strength to -- Ps 27:5,6; Isa 25:4; Jer 16:19; Na 1:7. God comforts -- Isa 49:13; Jer 31:13; Mt 5:4; 2Co 1:4,5; 7:6. God preserves -- Ps 34:20. God delivers -- Ps 34:4,19; Pr 12:13; Jer 39:17,18. Christ is with -- Joh 14:18. Christ supports -- 2Ti 4:17; Heb 2:18. Christ comforts -- Isa 61:2; Mt 11:28-30; Lu 7:13; Joh 14:1; 16:33. Christ preserves -- Isa 63:9; Lu 21:18. Christ delivers -- Re 3:10. Should praise God -- Ps 13:5,6; 56:8-10; 57:6,7; 71:20-23. Should imitate Christ -- Heb 12:1-3; 1P”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 82:1: We have here, I. God's supreme presidency and power in all councils and courts asserted and laid down, as a great truth necessary to be believed both by princes and subjects (Psa 82:1): God stands, as chief director, in the congregation of the mighty, the mighty One, in coetu fortis - in the councils of the prince, the supreme magistrate, and he judges among the gods, the inferior magistrates; both the legislative and the executive power of princes is under his eye and his hand. Observe here, 1. The power and honour of magistrates; they are the mighty. They are so”
Zephaniah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Zephaniah 3:17: The Lord thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty Every word carries in it something very encouraging to the church and people of God; and is an antidote against those fears and faintings they are subject to; Christ "is in the midst of" them; near at hand to support and supply them, to assist and strengthen them, to protect and defend them; he is not only near by his essential presence, which is everywhere; and by his providential presence, which is concerned with all his creatures; but by his gracious presence, peculiar to his church and people; and which gives th”
Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 14:11: 14:11 This quotation is from Isa 49:18; 45:23. In its original context, Isa 45:23 is surrounded by assertions of God’s sovereignty (Isa 45:22, 24). Only the sovereign God has the right to stand in judgment (Rom 14:10, 12).”
Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 5:8: 5:8 fell down before the Lamb: The crucified and risen Christ has divine authority to initiate the events of this age; he is fully worthy of worship. • The prayers of God’s people become a significant basis for the judgments and plagues (6:9-11; 8:2-5).”
Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 44:23: 44:23-26 In the end, God’s people can turn to the Lord and trust him for rescue. Their petition for God to remedy their situation is as strong as their lament about God’s rejection. 44:23 Wake up: Biblical authors often call for God’s attention in a crisis (35:23; 44:23; 73:20; 80:2; Mark 4:38).”

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