God's Sovereignty in Dark Struggles and Trials
God's sovereignty is a profound theme that permeates the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of dark struggles and trials. The Psalmist writes, "Clouds and darkness are around him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne" [1]. This imagery underscores God's control even in the midst of obscurity and turmoil.
The biblical account often employs darkness as a symbol of God's judgment or the day of the Lord [6, 7, 9]. For instance, during the crucifixion, "darkness came over the whole land" (Luke 23:44), signifying the gravity of Jesus' sacrifice and God's judgment [8]. Similarly, in Psalm 97:2, the "clouds and darkness" surrounding God are associated with his coming in judgment [7].
The concept of darkness is not merely a metaphor; it is also an aspect of God's creation. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, darkness was "created by God" and is a manifestation of his power and greatness [2]. This understanding is rooted in passages like Psalm 104:20 and Isaiah 45:7, which attribute the creation of darkness to God.
The interplay between God's sovereignty and darkness is further illustrated in the biblical names that reflect God's strength and power. Names like "Jehazekel", "Jazeel", and "Ezekiel" mean "strength of God", highlighting the divine attribute that underlies both creation and judgment [3, 4, 5].
The biblical narrative also portrays God's sovereignty as extending over all aspects of life, including the experiences of his people. The Psalmist's plea for deliverance from enemies is grounded in the confidence that God's righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne [1]. This confidence is echoed in the promises of praise that follow the Psalmist's prayers for relief [10].
Sources
- Psalms “Clouds and darkness are around him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. -- Psalms 97:2”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Darkness — Created by God -- Ps 104:20; Isa 45:7. Originally covered the earth -- Ge 1:2. Separated from the light -- Ge 1:4. Called night -- Ge 1:5. Caused by the setting of the sun -- Ge 15:17; Joh 6:17. Inexplicable nature of -- Job 38:19,20. Exhibits God's power and greatness -- Job 38:8,9. Degrees of, mentioned Great. -- Ge 15:12. That may be felt. -- Ex 10:21. Thick. -- De 5:22; Joe 2:2. Gross. -- Jer 13:16. Outer or extreme. -- Mt 8:12. Effects of Keeps us from seeing objects. -- Ex 10:23. Causes us to go astray. -- Joh 12:35; 1Jo 2:11. Causes us to stumble. -”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Jehezekel — strength of God”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Jazeel — strength of God”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Ezekiel — the strength of God”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 27:45: 27:45 Darkness symbolizes the judgment of God or, more specifically, the arrival of the day of the Lord (see Amos 5:18, 20; 8:9-10; also Jer 4:27-28; 13:16; 15:9).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 97:2: 97:2-4 Dark clouds . . . Fire . . . lightning: This language shows that the Lord is coming in judgment.”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 23:44: 23:44 Darkness symbolizes sorrow as well as God’s judgment (Ps 23:4; Isa 8:22; 9:1-2).”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 13:10: 13:10 Cosmic upheaval and darkness are common images for the day of the Lord, a time of God’s judgment (see also Ezek 32:7-8; Joel 2:10, 31; 3:15; Matt 24:29; Mark 13:24; Rev 6:12-13; 8:12; cp. Isa 30:26).”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 35 (introduction): The Psalmist invokes God's aid, contrasting the hypocrisy, cunning, and malice of his enemies with his integrity and generosity. The imprecations of the first part including a brief notice of their conduct, the fuller exposition of their hypocrisy and malice in the second, and the earnest prayer for deliverance from their scornful triumph in the last, are each closed (Psa 35:9-10, Psa 35:18, Psa 35:27-28) with promises of praise for the desired relief, in which his friends will unite. The historical occasion is probably 1Sa. 24:1-22. (Psa.”