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Aside from the allusion to the acronym TULIP, this design is also a hat tip to a sweet friend, Jeannette, whom I had the joy and privilege of seeing come to faith in Christ years ago! I originally made her a necklace just like these as a gift on the day of her baptism to remind her of the Lord’s kindness and sovereignty. May it remind you of the same!

Our tulip necklaces and earrings are the perfect everyday jewelry that go with everything! They are:

—hypoallergenic

—lead-free

—nickel-free

—lightweight

—available in antiqued brass or antiqued silver over brass

*earrings come with backings

Your earrings, necklace or set will come in a beautiful, reusable gift bag imprinted with “Sola Gratia” and Eph. 2:8-9 as an encouraging reminder of the Lord’s kindness to seek and save those who are His—perfect for gifting!

—————————

An overview of the the Doctrines of Grace:

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/tulip-and-reformed-theology-total-depravity

Total Depravity

Unconditional Election

Limited Atonement

Irresistible Grace

Perseverance of the Saints

Original design from Sola Gratia Co. made into durable vinyl stickers; scratch, water, and sun resistant.

Penned in 1772–“There is a Fountain Filled with Blood”:

“E'er since by faith I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die:
And shall be till I die,
And shall be till I die;
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die.”

What is the theme of your life? What is the overarching, all-encompassing, sum total purpose of your existence? For the believer, it’s “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever” (Westminster Shorter Catechism). Your understanding of your life’s meaning and purpose is defined by the Gospel of grace.

“A Christian is one who recognizes Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, as God manifested in the flesh, loving us and dying for our redemption; and who is so affected by a sense of the love of this incarnate God as to be constrained to make the will of Christ the rule of his obedience, and the glory of Christ the great end for which He lives.”
—Charles Hodge

“…remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
—Ephesians 2:12-13

Human beings have the tendency to look inward to find an identity or state of being of some sort—a theme for our lives. Something to cling onto to characterize ourselves. We see this exploding right now in the area of gender and sexuality but it is something we are all prone toward; be it identity in our career, marital status, parenthood (or lack thereof), financial standing, educational achievements—you name it, we are inclined in our flesh to “find ourselves” outside of God’s design for our affections—His glory and communion with Him.

As you interact with those outside of Christ, point to the redemption of your soul as the constant thread of joyful purpose for your life. Be an enthusiastic witness to His love, mercy, and grace that led and continues to lead you to repentance and the peace offered to you in Jesus. Share with them the hope of the Gospel, that their ever-changing pursuit of identity can eternally rest in the finished work of Christ as they trust in Him.

Original design from Sola Gratia Co. made into durable vinyl stickers; scratch, water, and sun resistant.

 A reminder of both the common grace of pancakes + the reality of hardship here on earth!

From Charles Spurgeon’s sermon, “The Sweet Uses of Adversity”:

“[God]…delights to see [his child] put through hard questions, because he knows that it will be able to answer them all. So God glories in his children. He loves to hear them tried, that the whole world may see that there is none like them on the face of the earth, and even Satan may be compelled before he can find an accusation against them, to resort to his inexhaustible fund of lies. Sometimes God on purpose puts his children in the midst of this world's trials. On the right, left, before, behind, they are surrounded. Within and without the battle rages. But there stands the child of God, calm amidst the bewildering cry, confident of victory. And then the Lord pointeth joyously to his saint, and he saith, ‘See, Satan, he is more than a match for thee. Weak though he is, yet through my power, he all things can perform.’”

…Perhaps, O tried soul! the Lord is doing this to develope thy graces. There are some of thy graces that would never be discovered if it were not for thy trials. Dost thou not know that thy faith never looks so grand in summer weather, as it does in winter? …And dost thou not know that hope itself is like a star—not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity? Dost thou not understand that afflictions are often the black foils in which God doth set the jewels of his children's graces, to make them shine the better.

…Beloved, ye remember that it is written, that we ‘must bear the image of the heavenly,’ namely, the image of Christ. As he was in this world even so must we be. We must have fellowship with him in his sufferings, that we may be conformable unto his death. Hast thou never thought that none can be like the Man of Sorrow unless they have sorrows too?”

Original design from Sola Gratia Co. made into durable vinyl stickers; scratch, water, and sun resistant. 

So…if you follow us on Instagram, you know the origin of this design (memes, of course). But no worries if not—it’s pretty self-evident that jello salad molds were proof of man’s fallenness. 🤢

Sometimes we think things are a good idea and they’re not, right?

Jeremiah 17:9

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”

Proverbs 14:2

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”

Romans 3:23

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

RC Sproul on Total Depravity:

“The doctrine of total depravity reflects the Reformed viewpoint of original sin…Some people assume that the term original sin must refer to the first sin—the original transgression that we’ve all copied in many different ways in our own lives, that is, the first sin of Adam and Eve. But that’s not what original sin has referred to historically in the church. Rather, the doctrine of original sin defines the consequences to the human race because of that first sin.

That is, as a result of the sin of Adam and Eve, the entire human race fell, and our nature as human beings since the fall has been influenced by the power of evil…Therefore, original sin has to do with the fallen nature of mankind. The idea is that we are not sinners because we sin, but that we sin because we are sinners.

The idea of total in total depravity doesn’t mean that all human beings are as wicked as they can possibly be. It means that the fall was so serious that it affects the whole person…It affects our minds and our thinking; we still have the capacity to think, but the Bible says the mind has become darkened and weakened. The will of man is no longer in its pristine state of moral power. The will, according to the New Testament, is now in bondage. We are enslaved to the evil impulses and desires of our hearts. The body, the mind, the will, the spirit—indeed, the whole person—have been infected by the power of sin.

I like to replace the term total depravity with my favorite designation, which is radical corruption…The Reformed view is that the effects of the fall extend or penetrate to the core of our being. Even the English word core actually comes from the Latin word cor, which means ‘heart.’ That is, our sin is something that comes from our hearts. In biblical terms, that means it’s from the core or very center of our existence.”

https://solagratia.co/collections/encouragement-week-tees

So…if you follow us on Instagram, you know the origin of this design (memes, of course). But no worries if not—it’s pretty self-evident that jello salad molds were proof of man’s fallenness. 🤢

Sometimes we think things are a good idea and they’re not, right?

Jeremiah 17:9

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”

Proverbs 14:2

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”

Romans 3:23

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

RC Sproul on Total Depravity:

“The doctrine of total depravity reflects the Reformed viewpoint of original sin…Some people assume that the term original sin must refer to the first sin—the original transgression that we’ve all copied in many different ways in our own lives, that is, the first sin of Adam and Eve. But that’s not what original sin has referred to historically in the church. Rather, the doctrine of original sin defines the consequences to the human race because of that first sin.

That is, as a result of the sin of Adam and Eve, the entire human race fell, and our nature as human beings since the fall has been influenced by the power of evil…Therefore, original sin has to do with the fallen nature of mankind. The idea is that we are not sinners because we sin, but that we sin because we are sinners.

The idea of total in total depravity doesn’t mean that all human beings are as wicked as they can possibly be. It means that the fall was so serious that it affects the whole person…It affects our minds and our thinking; we still have the capacity to think, but the Bible says the mind has become darkened and weakened. The will of man is no longer in its pristine state of moral power. The will, according to the New Testament, is now in bondage. We are enslaved to the evil impulses and desires of our hearts. The body, the mind, the will, the spirit—indeed, the whole person—have been infected by the power of sin.

I like to replace the term total depravity with my favorite designation, which is radical corruption…The Reformed view is that the effects of the fall extend or penetrate to the core of our being. Even the English word core actually comes from the Latin word cor, which means ‘heart.’ That is, our sin is something that comes from our hearts. In biblical terms, that means it’s from the core or very center of our existence.”

https://solagratia.co/collections/encouragement-week-tees

So…if you follow us on Instagram, you know the origin of this design (memes, of course). But no worries if not—it’s pretty self-evident that jello salad molds were proof of man’s fallenness. 🤢

Sometimes we think things are a good idea and they’re not, right?

Jeremiah 17:9

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”

Proverbs 14:2

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”

Romans 3:23

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

RC Sproul on Total Depravity:

“The doctrine of total depravity reflects the Reformed viewpoint of original sin…Some people assume that the term original sin must refer to the first sin—the original transgression that we’ve all copied in many different ways in our own lives, that is, the first sin of Adam and Eve. But that’s not what original sin has referred to historically in the church. Rather, the doctrine of original sin defines the consequences to the human race because of that first sin.

That is, as a result of the sin of Adam and Eve, the entire human race fell, and our nature as human beings since the fall has been influenced by the power of evil…Therefore, original sin has to do with the fallen nature of mankind. The idea is that we are not sinners because we sin, but that we sin because we are sinners.

The idea of total in total depravity doesn’t mean that all human beings are as wicked as they can possibly be. It means that the fall was so serious that it affects the whole person…It affects our minds and our thinking; we still have the capacity to think, but the Bible says the mind has become darkened and weakened. The will of man is no longer in its pristine state of moral power. The will, according to the New Testament, is now in bondage. We are enslaved to the evil impulses and desires of our hearts. The body, the mind, the will, the spirit—indeed, the whole person—have been infected by the power of sin.

I like to replace the term total depravity with my favorite designation, which is radical corruption…The Reformed view is that the effects of the fall extend or penetrate to the core of our being. Even the English word core actually comes from the Latin word cor, which means ‘heart.’ That is, our sin is something that comes from our hearts. In biblical terms, that means it’s from the core or very center of our existence.”

https://solagratia.co/collections/encouragement-week-tees

So…if you follow us on Instagram, you know the origin of this design (memes, of course). But no worries if not—it’s pretty self-evident that jello salad molds were proof of man’s fallenness. 🤢

Sometimes we think things are a good idea and they’re not, right?

Jeremiah 17:9

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”

Proverbs 14:2

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”

Romans 3:23

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

RC Sproul on Total Depravity:

“The doctrine of total depravity reflects the Reformed viewpoint of original sin…Some people assume that the term original sin must refer to the first sin—the original transgression that we’ve all copied in many different ways in our own lives, that is, the first sin of Adam and Eve. But that’s not what original sin has referred to historically in the church. Rather, the doctrine of original sin defines the consequences to the human race because of that first sin.

That is, as a result of the sin of Adam and Eve, the entire human race fell, and our nature as human beings since the fall has been influenced by the power of evil…Therefore, original sin has to do with the fallen nature of mankind. The idea is that we are not sinners because we sin, but that we sin because we are sinners.

The idea of total in total depravity doesn’t mean that all human beings are as wicked as they can possibly be. It means that the fall was so serious that it affects the whole person…It affects our minds and our thinking; we still have the capacity to think, but the Bible says the mind has become darkened and weakened. The will of man is no longer in its pristine state of moral power. The will, according to the New Testament, is now in bondage. We are enslaved to the evil impulses and desires of our hearts. The body, the mind, the will, the spirit—indeed, the whole person—have been infected by the power of sin.

I like to replace the term total depravity with my favorite designation, which is radical corruption…The Reformed view is that the effects of the fall extend or penetrate to the core of our being. Even the English word core actually comes from the Latin word cor, which means ‘heart.’ That is, our sin is something that comes from our hearts. In biblical terms, that means it’s from the core or very center of our existence.”

https://solagratia.co/collections/encouragement-week-tees

⁣⁣⁣⁣Be encouraged, saint—the One who calls you to obedience is the One who equips you for it. ⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
You may have heard the phrase “do the next thing” before—it was largely made popular by Elisabeth Elliot so she is often credited with the quote, however—she was actually quoting from a longer poem by Minne E. Paull, crediting old Saxon legend.⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
This is the original poem:⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
“From an old English parsonage down by the sea⁣⁣⁣⁣
There came in the twilight a message to me;⁣⁣⁣⁣
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Hath, it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.⁣⁣⁣⁣
And on through the doors the quiet words ring⁣⁣⁣⁣
Like a low inspiration: “DO THE NEXT THING.”⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
Many a questioning, many a fear,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.⁣⁣⁣⁣
Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.⁣⁣⁣⁣
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing.⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
Do it immediately, do it with prayer;⁣⁣⁣⁣
Do it reliantly, casting all care;⁣⁣⁣⁣
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand⁣⁣⁣⁣
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.⁣⁣⁣⁣
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Leave all results, do the next thing.⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
Looking for Jesus, ever serener,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Working or suffering, be thy demeanor;⁣⁣⁣⁣
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,⁣⁣⁣⁣
The light of His countenance be thy psalm,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.⁣⁣⁣⁣
Then, as He beckons thee, do the next thing.”⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
Philippians 4:13-14⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

⁣⁣⁣⁣Be encouraged, saint—the One who calls you to obedience is the One who equips you for it. ⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
You may have heard the phrase “do the next thing” before—it was largely made popular by Elisabeth Elliot so she is often credited with the quote, however—she was actually quoting from a longer poem by Minne E. Paull, crediting old Saxon legend.⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
This is the original poem:⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
“From an old English parsonage down by the sea⁣⁣⁣⁣
There came in the twilight a message to me;⁣⁣⁣⁣
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Hath, it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.⁣⁣⁣⁣
And on through the doors the quiet words ring⁣⁣⁣⁣
Like a low inspiration: “DO THE NEXT THING.”⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
Many a questioning, many a fear,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.⁣⁣⁣⁣
Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.⁣⁣⁣⁣
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing.⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
Do it immediately, do it with prayer;⁣⁣⁣⁣
Do it reliantly, casting all care;⁣⁣⁣⁣
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand⁣⁣⁣⁣
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.⁣⁣⁣⁣
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Leave all results, do the next thing.⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
Looking for Jesus, ever serener,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Working or suffering, be thy demeanor;⁣⁣⁣⁣
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,⁣⁣⁣⁣
The light of His countenance be thy psalm,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.⁣⁣⁣⁣
Then, as He beckons thee, do the next thing.”⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
Philippians 4:13-14⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

⁣⁣⁣⁣Be encouraged, saint—the One who calls you to obedience is the One who equips you for it. ⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
You may have heard the phrase “do the next thing” before—it was largely made popular by Elisabeth Elliot so she is often credited with the quote, however—she was actually quoting from a longer poem by Minne E. Paull, crediting old Saxon legend.⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
This is the original poem:⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
“From an old English parsonage down by the sea⁣⁣⁣⁣
There came in the twilight a message to me;⁣⁣⁣⁣
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Hath, it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.⁣⁣⁣⁣
And on through the doors the quiet words ring⁣⁣⁣⁣
Like a low inspiration: “DO THE NEXT THING.”⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
Many a questioning, many a fear,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.⁣⁣⁣⁣
Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.⁣⁣⁣⁣
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing.⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
Do it immediately, do it with prayer;⁣⁣⁣⁣
Do it reliantly, casting all care;⁣⁣⁣⁣
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand⁣⁣⁣⁣
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.⁣⁣⁣⁣
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Leave all results, do the next thing.⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
Looking for Jesus, ever serener,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Working or suffering, be thy demeanor;⁣⁣⁣⁣
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,⁣⁣⁣⁣
The light of His countenance be thy psalm,⁣⁣⁣⁣
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.⁣⁣⁣⁣
Then, as He beckons thee, do the next thing.”⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
Philippians 4:13-14⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

When we think of these lyrics, “this is my Father’s world”, we often picture serene meadows and mountains, waterfalls and butterflies. After all, those are the times we are naturally drawn to remember God made and sustains the world as we gaze upon his creation (Ps. 19:1). We see His majesty and His dominion clearly in these times and places.

But what about when the world is burning? When we listen to constant justification of the murder of precious babies, watch image bearers deny their God-given design for gender and sexuality, or receive persecution for upholding truth? When we are worn down and discouraged?

It seems those are the times we most need to remember this is our Father’s world. It is. No matter the ways and with what intensity the nations rage—the King is still on His throne. Nothing has changed in those times—the Lord is still sovereign.

From “The Call to Witness” by John Calvin:

“Let us not deceive Jesus Christ in the testimony we owe Him, by stopping our mouths, when it is needful to maintain His honor, and the authority of His gospel. Yea, and when we see our brethren afflicted for the cause of God, let us join with them, and assist them in their affliction. Let us not be shaken by the tempests that arise, but let us always remain constant in our purpose; and stand as witnesses for the Son of God, seeing He is so gracious as to use us in such a good cause…Therefore St. Paul adds, ‘Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel.’

There is no man but what would willingly escape affliction; this is according to human nature; and although we confess, without dissembling, that it is a singular grace which God bestows, when He enables men to bear affliction, and maintain His cause, yet there is not one of us, but what would willingly draw his neck out of persecution. For we look not at the lesson given by St. Paul, which saith, the gospel bringeth troubles. Jesus Christ was crucified in His own person, and His doctrine is joined with many miseries.”

Psalm 103:19

“The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.”

Lamentations 3:37-38

“Who has spoken and it came to pass,
    unless the Lord has commanded it?

Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
    that good and bad come?”

When we think of these lyrics, “this is my Father’s world”, we often picture serene meadows and mountains, waterfalls and butterflies. After all, those are the times we are naturally drawn to remember God made and sustains the world as we gaze upon his creation (Ps. 19:1). We see His majesty and His dominion clearly in these times and places.

But what about when the world is burning? When we listen to constant justification of the murder of precious babies, watch image bearers deny their God-given design for gender and sexuality, or receive persecution for upholding truth? When we are worn down and discouraged?

It seems those are the times we most need to remember this is our Father’s world. It is. No matter the ways and with what intensity the nations rage—the King is still on His throne. Nothing has changed in those times—the Lord is still sovereign.

From “The Call to Witness” by John Calvin:

“Let us not deceive Jesus Christ in the testimony we owe Him, by stopping our mouths, when it is needful to maintain His honor, and the authority of His gospel. Yea, and when we see our brethren afflicted for the cause of God, let us join with them, and assist them in their affliction. Let us not be shaken by the tempests that arise, but let us always remain constant in our purpose; and stand as witnesses for the Son of God, seeing He is so gracious as to use us in such a good cause…Therefore St. Paul adds, ‘Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel.’

There is no man but what would willingly escape affliction; this is according to human nature; and although we confess, without dissembling, that it is a singular grace which God bestows, when He enables men to bear affliction, and maintain His cause, yet there is not one of us, but what would willingly draw his neck out of persecution. For we look not at the lesson given by St. Paul, which saith, the gospel bringeth troubles. Jesus Christ was crucified in His own person, and His doctrine is joined with many miseries.”

Psalm 103:19

“The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” (Lamentations 3:37-38)

“Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come?”

When we think of these lyrics, “this is my Father’s world”, we often picture serene meadows and mountains, waterfalls and butterflies. After all, those are the times we are naturally drawn to remember God made and sustains the world as we gaze upon his creation (Ps. 19:1). We see His majesty and His dominion clearly in these times and places.

But what about when the world is burning? When we listen to constant justification of the murder of precious babies, watch image bearers deny their God-given design for gender and sexuality, or receive persecution for upholding truth? When we are worn down and discouraged?

It seems those are the times we most need to remember this is our Father’s world. It is. No matter the ways and with what intensity the nations rage—the King is still on His throne. Nothing has changed in those times—the Lord is still sovereign.

From “The Call to Witness” by John Calvin:

“Let us not deceive Jesus Christ in the testimony we owe Him, by stopping our mouths, when it is needful to maintain His honor, and the authority of His gospel. Yea, and when we see our brethren afflicted for the cause of God, let us join with them, and assist them in their affliction. Let us not be shaken by the tempests that arise, but let us always remain constant in our purpose; and stand as witnesses for the Son of God, seeing He is so gracious as to use us in such a good cause…Therefore St. Paul adds, ‘Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel.’

There is no man but what would willingly escape affliction; this is according to human nature; and although we confess, without dissembling, that it is a singular grace which God bestows, when He enables men to bear affliction, and maintain His cause, yet there is not one of us, but what would willingly draw his neck out of persecution. For we look not at the lesson given by St. Paul, which saith, the gospel bringeth troubles. Jesus Christ was crucified in His own person, and His doctrine is joined with many miseries.”

Psalm 103:19

“The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.”

Lamentations 3:37-38

“Who has spoken and it came to pass,
    unless the Lord has commanded it?

Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
    that good and bad come?”

When we think of these lyrics, “this is my Father’s world”, we often picture serene meadows and mountains, waterfalls and butterflies. After all, those are the times we are naturally drawn to remember God made and sustains the world as we gaze upon his creation (Ps. 19:1). We see His majesty and His dominion clearly in these times and places.

But what about when the world is burning? When we listen to constant justification of the murder of precious babies, watch image bearers deny their God-given design for gender and sexuality, or receive persecution for upholding truth? When we are worn down and discouraged?

It seems those are the times we most need to remember this is our Father’s world. It is. No matter the ways and with what intensity the nations rage—the King is still on His throne. Nothing has changed in those times—the Lord is still sovereign.

From “The Call to Witness” by John Calvin:

“Let us not deceive Jesus Christ in the testimony we owe Him, by stopping our mouths, when it is needful to maintain His honor, and the authority of His gospel. Yea, and when we see our brethren afflicted for the cause of God, let us join with them, and assist them in their affliction. Let us not be shaken by the tempests that arise, but let us always remain constant in our purpose; and stand as witnesses for the Son of God, seeing He is so gracious as to use us in such a good cause…Therefore St. Paul adds, ‘Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel.’

There is no man but what would willingly escape affliction; this is according to human nature; and although we confess, without dissembling, that it is a singular grace which God bestows, when He enables men to bear affliction, and maintain His cause, yet there is not one of us, but what would willingly draw his neck out of persecution. For we look not at the lesson given by St. Paul, which saith, the gospel bringeth troubles. Jesus Christ was crucified in His own person, and His doctrine is joined with many miseries.”

Psalm 103:19

“The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.”

Lamentations 3:37-38

“Who has spoken and it came to pass,
    unless the Lord has commanded it?

Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
    that good and bad come?”