Overcoming Addiction through God's Sovereign Goodness
The concept of overcoming addiction through God's sovereign goodness is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize God's mercy, loving kindness, and power to save. The Psalmist cries out to God for help, asking to be saved "according to your loving kindness" [2]. This plea is echoed in Psalm 51:1, where David seeks God's mercy and cleansing from transgressions "according to the multitude of your tender mercies" [1].
In the biblical narrative, God's goodness is often associated with healing and restoration. Jesus is depicted as having authority over diseases and demons, healing people with a simple command [5]. This authority is seen as a manifestation of the Kingdom of God, which brings supernatural power and blessing to those who were previously excluded [6].
The idea that God's joy is a source of strength is also relevant to overcoming addiction. According to Adam Clarke, the joy of the Lord is not a "gluttonous and drunken festival" but rather a "religious feast" that gives strength and power to do God's will [4]. This understanding is rooted in Nehemiah 8:10, where the people are encouraged to "eat the fat, and drink the sweet" and to remember the poor, so that the joy and thanksgiving may be general.
In the view of Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, the goodness of God is a source of comfort and strength in the face of wickedness and adversity. Matthew Henry notes that David, when faced with the wickedness of the wicked, turns his attention to the goodness of God, acknowledging His transcendent perfections and grace [7].
The biblical concept of access to God is also relevant to overcoming addiction. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, access to God is obtained through faith, reconciliation, and the Holy Spirit [3]. This access enables believers to obtain mercy and grace, and to have confidence in their relationship with God.
Sources
- Psalms “Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. -- Psalms 51:1”
- Psalms “Help me, Yahweh, my God. Save me according to your loving kindness; -- Psalms 109:26”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
- Nehemiah (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Nehemiah 8:10: Eat the fat, and drink the sweet - Eat and drink the best that you have; and while ye are feeding yourselves in the fear of the Lord, remember those who cannot feast; and send portions to them, that the joy and the thanksgiving may be general. Let the poor have reason to rejoice as well as you. For the joy of the Lord is your strength - This is no gluttonous and drunken festival that enervates the body, and enfeebles the mind: from your religious feast your bodies will acquire strength and your minds power and fervor, so that you shall be able to Do His will, and ”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 8:16: 8:16-17 Jesus is the authoritative Lord over every disease and demon. 8:16 with a simple command: Jesus’ authority extended beyond touch; his words brought healing and life.”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 8:1: 8:1–9:34 Here the Kingdom of God is manifested with supernatural power (see 4:23-25; 11:2-6). It reaches people who had been excluded from the blessing of God: Gentiles, lepers, blind people, sick women, demoniacs, tax collectors, those with a chronic hemorrhage, and the dead. Jesus shows compassion, but the religious leaders are provoked to opposition. Jesus calls his followers to faith and discipleship.”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 36:5: David, having looked round with grief upon the wickedness of the wicked, here looks up with comfort upon the goodness of God, a subject as delightful as the former was distasteful and very proper to be set in the balance against it. Observe, I. His meditations upon the grace of God. He sees the world polluted, himself endangered, and God dishonoured, by the transgressions of the wicked; but, of a sudden, he turns his eye, and heart, and speech, to God "However it be, yet thou art good." He here acknowledges, 1. The transcendent perfections of the divine nature. Am”