The Thornbush And The Ram

“Both the sickle and the grape belong to You, O Lord. Both the thorn bush and the ram.”

These beautiful words flowed out of me as I prayed in the Spirit one morning. I had been meditating upon the sovereignty of God— how it is both fearsome and comforting to me. It seems so odd that I feel both intimidation and peace in the presence of the Lord— that I feel He is both everything I’ve ever known, and yet utterly unknowable. This seeming dichotomy of God is both perplexing, yet strangely fitting. God is not subject to our perceptions of Him, and that is both disturbing and appropriate in every way. 

Another thought which came to me that morning, was that the sovereignty of God means He can use us even in our ignorance and error. He works around all our messes and fumbling. He allows us to both feed His sheep and stumble them. He can make a fig tree out of foolishness, and manna out of our mistakes. His purpose in mankind continues onward despite us. Our Father is more than our fumbling. 

That morning I prayed, “I’m so glad you’re God,” because I need a sovereign God. Humanity needs a sovereign God. We need a God Who is bigger than our ignorance and error. We need a God Who can finish the work He begins in us. We need a Savior Who constantly intercedes for us and can save us to the uttermost, with nothing left undone. We need a God who can see all the hidden things in us that we can’t see ourselves. A God Who can winnow our soul and separate the chaff from the wheat…

… a God to Whom both the sickle and the grape belong, both the thorn bush and the ram. 

(Heb 7:25) Therefore He is able to save completely [forever and to the uttermost] those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.

(Phil 1:6) …being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

(2 Tim 1:12) …for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

(Ps 138:7,8) If I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve me from the anger of my foes; You extend Your hand, and Your right hand saves me. The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me. O LORD, Your loving devotion endures forever—do not abandon the works of Your hands.