What can we learn about God's sovereignty from Psalm 135:11? Setting the Scene Psalm 135 celebrates the Lord’s decisive acts in Israel’s story. Verse 11 spotlights three of those moments: “Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kings of Canaan.” (Psalm 135:11) What This Verse Tells Us about God’s Sovereignty • Named kings, real kingdoms, literal battles—Scripture records them as historical fact, underscoring that God rules in tangible time and space, not in myth or abstraction. (cf. Deuteronomy 3:1-7) • Each ruler held regional power, yet the Lord toppled them with ease. Human authority, no matter how entrenched, remains subject to His command. (Proverbs 21:1; Daniel 4:35) • The conquests fulfilled a centuries-old promise to Abraham (Genesis 17:8). God’s sovereign plan runs on His timetable, never late, never thwarted. • By naming the kings, the psalmist invites us to rehearse God’s track record. Remembered victories fuel present-day trust. (1 Samuel 17:37) • Nations fall, dynasties fade, but the Lord’s reign endures. The verse hints at a theme carried into the New Testament: He “works out everything according to the counsel of His will.” (Ephesians 1:11) Why These Defeats Matter for Us • Assurance in uncertainty—if God once overruled Amorite and Canaanite power, He can handle any crisis we face today. • Confidence in prayer—His sovereignty doesn’t distance Him; it invites us to appeal to the highest throne. (Hebrews 4:16) • Motivation for worship—Psalm 135 calls Israel (and us) to praise precisely because sovereignty and steadfast love meet in the same Person. • Hope for the future—the victories over Sihon, Og, and Canaan prefigure the final, comprehensive reign of Christ. (Revelation 11:15) Living in Light of Psalm 135:11 • Rehearse God’s past faithfulness—name specific ways He has acted in your own history. • Rest in His present rule—refuse the lie that circumstances have slipped beyond His reach. • Respond with obedient confidence—step forward in the tasks He assigns, knowing He equips and opens doors. (Joshua 1:9) The God who defeated Sihon, Og, and “all the kings of Canaan” is still on the throne, still keeping promises, and still worthy of wholehearted trust and praise. |
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