Resignation: Submission to the Sovereignty of God in his Purposes
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Resignation, in a biblical context, refers to the act of submitting oneself to the will and sovereignty of God, trusting in His divine purposes and plans. This concept is deeply rooted in the understanding that God is omnipotent, omniscient, and benevolent, and that His ways are higher than human ways (Isaiah 55:8-9: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.").

Biblical Examples of Resignation

1. Job's Submission: The Book of Job provides a profound example of resignation. Despite immense suffering and loss, Job ultimately submits to God's sovereignty. In Job 1:21 , he declares, "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." Job's acceptance of God's will, even in adversity, exemplifies a heart resigned to divine sovereignty.

2. Jesus in Gethsemane: The ultimate model of resignation is found in Jesus Christ. In the Garden of Gethsemane, facing imminent crucifixion, Jesus prays, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39). This submission to the Father's will, even unto death, underscores the perfect example of resignation.

3. Paul's Contentment: The Apostle Paul demonstrates resignation through his contentment in all circumstances. In Philippians 4:11-13 , he writes, "I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Paul's reliance on Christ for strength reflects his submission to God's overarching plan.

Theological Foundations

Resignation is grounded in the belief in God's absolute sovereignty. Scriptures affirm that God works all things according to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11: "In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will"). This understanding calls believers to trust in God's perfect wisdom and timing, even when His purposes are not immediately clear.

Practical Implications

1. Trust in God's Providence: Resignation involves trusting in God's providence, acknowledging that He orchestrates all events for His glory and the ultimate good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28: "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose").

2. Peace in Trials: Resignation brings peace amidst trials, as believers rest in the assurance that God is in control. This peace surpasses human understanding and guards the hearts and minds of those in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7: "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus").

3. Obedience and Humility: A resigned heart is marked by obedience and humility, recognizing that God's plans are superior to human desires. This attitude is reflected in the call to "humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you" (1 Peter 5:6).

Conclusion

Resignation, as a submission to the sovereignty of God, is a profound expression of faith and trust in His divine purposes. It calls believers to relinquish control, embrace God's will, and find peace in His perfect plan. Through biblical examples and theological understanding, resignation emerges as a vital aspect of the Christian walk, fostering a deeper relationship with God and a steadfast hope in His eternal promises.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Romans 9:20,21
No but, O man, who are you that reply against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why have you made me thus?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Value of this Doctrine
... There can be no real submission with contentment ... touched upon this subject of
resignation to God's ... chapter upon our Attitude toward God's Sovereignty, and there ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter twelve the value of.htm

His Theology and Exegesis.
... about human freedom and divine sovereignty, meet in ... short of the language of submission
to an ... calm, cheerful faith, that patient resignation under affliction ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/chapter xiii his theology and exegesis.htm

An Index to Find a Psalm Suited to Particular Subjects or ...
... his sovereignty and goodness to man, [498]8, [499]113, [500]144; ... Resignation,
[970]39, [971]123, [972]131. ... Submission, [1128]123, [1129]131; ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/an index to find a.htm

The Christian's Peace and the Christian's Consistency
... Not merely with resignation, nor even with resolution, but ... a reality and energy in
the divine sovereignty which may ... new life is to be the submission of himself ...
/.../moule/philippian studies/chapter iv the christians peace.htm

Robert Nelson, his Friends, and Church Principles.
... owed the change of their lives, under God, to his ... but no one then spoke of 'sovereignty
residing in ... that it only bound them to submission, absented themselves ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter ii robert nelson his.htm

Ancient Chaldaea
... for instance, is an expression which merely affirms Anu's sovereignty in the ... face
to face without their coming to blows; the god sent his courier Saidu ...
/.../chapter iancient chaldaea.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... and, as a proof of his supreme sovereignty over them ... they are already in a state
of submission and vassalage ... not merely his subjects, but the god who presided ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... authority, and at other times acknowledged the sovereignty of the ... tried to prove
that there was one particular god named Baal, and his ideas, popularised ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... relief which represents Sennacherib receiving the submission of Judah ... he differs
most widely from his predecessors ... God is, according to him, widely removed from ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... For the rest, the faithful Zoroastrian was bound to believe in his god, to offer
to him the orthodox prayers and sacrifices, to be simple in heart, truthful ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about acceptance? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about fate / destiny? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to pray, “Thy will be done”? | GotQuestions.org

Resignation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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