Sovereignty inspiring worship

For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. Rom. 11:36

Of God are all things: he is the creator of all that exists. Every particle, all energy and matter, all the laws of physics have their origin in God. The law of gravity cannot actually do anything; it cannot move pool balls across tables let alone create galaxies. The law of gravity is great in helping scientists to predict the movements of objects. But the laws of nature are not ultimately explanatory; indeed, they cannot explain themselves. What is the explanation then of why there is something rather than nothing? It is this: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Gen. 1:1).

Through God are all things: God is not only the creator, he is also the sustainer of all things. All things! There is not a maverick molecule in the universe, as R.C. Sproul used to say. God is not the god of the deists. The Word not only brings all things into existence (Jn. 1:1-3), but he also upholds all things by the word of his power (Heb. 1:3). This universe is not spinning out of control; its history is unfolding according to the only wise God's eternal and unchangeable plan.

To God are all things: God is the end of all that exists. The heavens declare the glory of God (Ps 19:1) and one day when all mankind is gathered before the throne of Christ, his lordship will be either gladly or fearfully acknowledged by all (Phil. 2:9-11). And therefore we say with Paul, "to whom be glory for ever."

Thank God if you see the God of whom and through whom and to whom are all things as perfectly glorious rather than as pretentiously grandiose. Do we see God's sovereignty as something which inspires our worship, as it did the apostle? Can your heart say "Amen" to this? Then flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but your Father who is in heaven (Mt. 16:17). Let us rejoice in our God upon whose sovereignty we gladly rest, and under whose sovereignty we gladly submit, and through whose sovereignty we gladly labor for his glory and our good.