The Bible clearly teaches that God rules over nature. There is no part of nature that is out of His control. The psalmist wrote:
“For I know that the Lord is great, and our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the Lord pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places. He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries” (Ps. 135:5-7).
One might ask, “Isn’t Satan involved in nature’s destructive force?” The answer is yes. However, Satan can rule in nature only to the extent that the Lord allows. Satan can influence nature only to the extent that his activities carry out God’s eternal purpose. This has to be the case or Paul’s statement in Romans would not be true:”
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
If God did not reign as sovereign Lord over nature and man, this promise would not always be true for the believer. Satan would see to it that many things would not work out for their good. He would work all things for their destruction.
We clearly see the sovereignty of God over Satan’s efforts to destroy Job. God gave Satan permission to bring severe trials upon Job; however, God limited what Satan could do:
“So the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.’ Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord” (Job 1:12).
In the verses that follow, we read that Satan was allowed to take Job’s possessions and children. Here we clearly see that Satan can control nature only to the degree God allows.
Over and over again in the Old Testament we see God in control of nature.
• Genesis 6:17 – the Flood
• Genesis 6:19, 20 – the animals that entered the ark
• Exodus 8-10 – the plagues of Egypt: frogs, flies, thunder, hail, fire, darkness
• Joshua 10:12, 13 – the sun and moon stood still
• Isaiah 38:1-8 – the sun moved back 10 degrees
• 1 Kings 17:2-4 – ravens fed Elijah
• Jonah 1:17 – a large fish saved Jonah
• Daniel 3:25-27 – three Hebrews saved from the fiery furnace
• Daniel 6:22 – lions kept from killing Daniel
Jesus Christ was God in the flesh: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1, 14). Therefore, we also see God’s sovereignty over nature in the New Testament manifested through Jesus.
• Mark 4:36-41 – a storm quieted
• Mark 6:35-44 –the loaves and fishes multiplied to feed more than 5,000 people
• Mark 6:45-51 – Jesus and Peter walked on water
• Matthew 17:27 – a fish carried a coin to Peter for taxes
• Matthew 21:18-20 –the fig tree cursed and it died
Because of God’s sovereign reign over this earth, we can be assured that God can do and will do what He promises and that Satan cannot stop Him from fulfilling all His promises to those who believe in Him.
Personal Reflection and Discussion
1. How much of the natural world does God have rulership over?
2. Why is it important for Christians to know that God has sovereign rulership over nature?
3. Give examples from the Old Testament of God’s sovereign rulership over nature.
4. Give examples from the New Testament of Christ’s sovereign rulership over nature.
Prayer Activity
• Call your prayer partner and discuss this devotional with him/her.
• Pray with your prayer partner:
1. Pray for God to baptize you with His Holy Spirit.
2. Pray for God to revive you and His church.
3. Pray for God to help you accept His sovereign rulership over all of nature.
4. Pray for the individuals on your prayer list.
Excerpt From: Dennis Smith. “40 Days.”