Sovereignty of God

Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain – Psalm 76:10

The psalmist here not only affirms the sovereignty of God, but also clearly delineates the boundaries (or rather boundlessness) of God’s rule.

A math equation, of sorts, is set before us. Of all the potential actions, emotions, and determinations of which humanity is capable, a certain amount of wrath (fury, poison) is allowed — only that amount which will be used to bring praise to God. The remainder is restrained.

The scope of God’s reign over humanity, then, includes every potential avenue by which we might poison our planet by our deeds or words or decisions. Those which will be overruled to the praise of God’s name are allowed; all the remaining possible outcomes are restrained.

There is no room left in the equation for poisonous deeds perpetrated without the knowledge of God, or that will not be overruled to the praise of his name. The wrath of humanity either will bring praise to God, or it will be restrained.

Immediately, a host of historical events spring to our minds, causing us to question the validity of the psalmist’s clear statement. What about the wrath of Hitler against the Jews, of Muslim extremists against Americans, of Chinese Communists against Christians? And yet God’s Word still proclaims: the wrath of men will praise God, and the remainder of wrath he will restrain.

What a great comfort, in the midst of humanity’s most horrific moments, to know that God is still on his throne and that he is still exercising his sovereign, restraining, and overruling power to bring glory to his name, in spite of the greatest wickedness of mankind.