II Chronicles II
Solomon the son of David established himself in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great. (II Chronicles 1:1 ESV)
Who?
Who is helping whom here? Solomon was the most famous, the most successful, the most wealthy, the most wise King. But it is the Lord whose presence made those things happen, and who made Solomon exceedingly great.
But it seems to me that Solomon was not passive. Solomon did not sit back and hope that God would do something. Solomon established Himself as king. In line with God’s law, in accordance with Godly wisdom, in submission to God… of course.
But Solomon figured out what to do, and did it.
The Bible is all about God’s sovereignty. But God’s sovereignty, by His choice, is entwined with our actions. God’s sovereignty, by His choice, is manifested in our decisions. God’s sovereignty, by His choice, is noticeable through our presence in the world.
It is Him… but because He is amazingly gracious, it is through His people.