The God Who Does Whatever He Pleases
Discovering Freedom and Peace in the Unshakable Sovereignty of Yahweh
Sermon Summary
The central issue facing believers today is the temptation to rely on human control and worldly idols rather than resting in God's supreme authority. Psalm 135 teaches that Yahweh possesses absolute sovereignty over creation and human history, rendering all man-made idols powerless. In response, believers are called to surrender anxiety, reject subtle cultural idols, and offer wholehearted, joyful worship to the sovereign Lord.
Introduction
In a world filled with sudden economic shifts, unexpected family trials, and global uncertainty, human beings naturally grasp for control. We build elaborate plans and look to modern securities to make ourselves feel safe. Yet, true peace is never found in our ability to manage our circumstances. It is found in recognizing the God who reigns supreme over all creation. Psalm 135 lifts our eyes above our temporary struggles to behold Yahweh, the sovereign King who accomplishes His will in heaven, on earth, and in the deep seas. Understanding His absolute authority changes how we pray, how we face fear, and how we worship every single day.
Main Scripture
Psalms 135:5-7
For I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleased, that he has done, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps. He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightnings with the rain. He brings the wind out of his treasuries.
Psalm 135:5-7 serves as the theological anchor of this sermon because it establishes the total, unrestricted authority of God over every realm of creation. The psalmist moves from personal conviction to a cosmic declaration: God does whatever pleases Him. Weather patterns, natural elements, and deep ocean depths operate under His direct command. This passage assures believers that the God who commands the universe is the same covenant Lord who lovingly cares for His people.
Main Sermon Points
1. Acknowledge God's Absolute Power in Creation
For I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleased, that he has done, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps. He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightnings with the rain. He brings the wind out of his treasuries.
The psalmist declares that Yahweh's authority is not limited by geography, circumstances, or earthly powers. He controls the atmospheric forces and the deepest oceans, doing whatever He pleases.
In ancient times, nations worshipped regional storm gods like Baal. The psalmist refutes these myths by showing that atmospheric phenomena are merely servants in Yahweh's treasuries.
Believers should stop viewing daily anxieties as beyond God's control. When facing personal storms or financial stress, pray with confidence, knowing the Creator rules every detail of life.
Quick Insights
- God rules over every force in creation with supreme authority.
- Your difficult circumstances are never beyond the reach of God's power.
- Peace begins when we stop trying to control what God already governs.
2. Trust God's Proven Deliverance Throughout History
He struck the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and animal. He sent signs and wonders into the middle of you, Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his servants. He struck many nations, and killed mighty kings — Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan — and gave their land for a heritage, a heritage to Israel, his people.
God's sovereignty is not an abstract theory; it is demonstrated through real acts of redemption. He defeated formidable earthly rulers like Pharaoh, Sihon, and Og to give His people their promised heritage.
Sihon and Og represented giant obstacles to Israel's survival. God brought them down easily, demonstrating that human military power cannot hinder divine promises.
Write down and remember how God delivered you from past trials. Use those memories to anchor your faith when new challenges threaten your peace today.
Quick Insights
- God's past deliverances prove His unshakeable commitment to His people.
- No human leader or obstacle can stand against the fulfillment of God's promises.
- Remembering God's history builds steady courage for your present struggles.
3. Reject the Lifeless Idols of This World
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they can ’t speak. They have eyes, but they can ’t see. They have ears, but they can ’t hear, neither is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, yes, everyone who trusts in them.
Human idols, whether made of silver or modern wealth and status, are entirely helpless. The psalmist warns that trusting in lifeless things makes us spiritually blind, deaf, and dead.
We inevitably conform to the image of what we worship. Worshipping mute and blind idols numbs the soul, while worshipping the living God brings life.
Audit your heart and schedule to identify functional idols like money, career status, or approval. Confess these false trusts and replace them with devotion to the living Lord.
Quick Insights
- Whatever human hands fashion can never give true spiritual life or security.
- You become spiritually like the primary object of your devotion.
- True freedom is found only when we tear down false cultural idols.
4. Render Joyful Praise to the Living King
Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD ’s name! Praise him, you servants of the LORD, you who stand in the LORD ’s house, in the courts of our God ’s house. Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good. Sing praises to his name, for that is pleasant.
Because God is inherently good and has chosen us as His cherished possession, corporate and personal praise is our most fitting response. Praise aligns our soul with divine truth.
Praise is called 'pleasant' because it brings the human soul into harmony with its Creator, satisfying our deepest spiritual design.
Make corporate worship and daily personal praise a priority. Gather with the local church, singing praises with gratitude regardless of your temporary emotions.
Quick Insights
- Praising God aligns our hearts with the reality of His eternal goodness.
- Worship is not a heavy burden but a joyful privilege for God's children.
- Gathering with fellow believers in praise strengthens the faith of the community.
Bottom Line
Because Yahweh is the sovereign God who does whatever He pleases, we can completely abandon our reliance on lifeless worldly idols and rest securely in His proven goodness, rendering Him our joyful and uninterrupted praise.
Memorable Quote
The God who commands the winds and ocean depths is the same loving Father who governs every detail of your daily life.
Theological Point
Psalm 135 illuminates the doctrine of God's absolute sovereignty and divine providence, affirming that God operates with complete freedom across all of creation and history to accomplish His holy, covenantal purposes.
Prayer Guide
- Ask God to forgive us for relying on temporary human securities and modern idols.
- Thank God for His supreme power over creation and His proven faithfulness in history.
- Seek God's help to rest peacefully in His divine sovereignty during times of severe trial.
- Pray for a renewed heart of joyful praise that honors the name of the Lord every day.
Responding to God’s Word
Responding to God's Word calls us back to the heart of our message: resting in 'The God Who Does Whatever He Pleases.' In a culture obsessed with self-reliance, Psalm 135 reminds us that our security lies in Yahweh's unrestricted reign. This truth finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, through whom all things were created and who exercised sovereign power over wind and waves during His earthly ministry. Christ humbled Himself on the cross to redeem us from the bondage of sin and idolatry, rising triumphantly as King of kings. Therefore, let us turn from every lifeless idol, bow before Lord Jesus, and yield our lives in faithful obedience and joyful worship to our sovereign God.
