~ GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY AND OUR RESPONSIBILITY
Beloved, God’s sovereignty does not negate our responsibility to pray but rather makes it possible to pray with confidence.
Prayer assumes God’s sovereignty. Otherwise, we have no assurance that He’s able to answer those prayers; they would become nothing more than wishes.
God’s sovereignty (along with His wisdom and love) remains the foundation of our trust in Him, while prayer represents the expression of that trust.
We are to use all legitimate means at our disposal to avoid harming ourselves or others and to bring about what is good and right.
God usually works through means, and He intends that we use them as He makes them available. Of course, unless God prospers those means, all our plans, efforts, and prudence are of no avail.
In Psalms 127:1-2 AMP, we find a memorable illustration of this truth: “Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise early, To retire late, To eat the bread of anxious labors— For He gives [blessings] to His beloved even in his sleep.”
In a sense, the verse sums up all our responsibilities in life. Whether in the physical, the mental, or the spiritual realm, we should always be building and watching, always recognizing that none of these efforts will prosper unless God intervenes. At the same time, we remain responsible. The Bible never allows us to use our utter dependence on God as an excuse for indolence.
Psalms 121:1, 3, 5 AMP “I will lift up my eyes to the hills [of Jerusalem]— From where shall my help come? He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade on your right hand.”
We’re absolutely dependent upon God yet simultaneously responsible to diligently use whatever means are appropriate for the occasion.
The question then is; does failure on our part to act prudently frustrate the sovereign plan of God? The Scriptures never indicate that God is frustrated to any degree by our failure to act as wisely as we should.
In His own infinite wisdom, God’s sovereign plan includes our failures and even our sins.
God usually works through ordinary events and the voluntary actions of people. But He always provides the means necessary and guides them by His unseen hand. He is sovereign, and He cannot be frustrated by our failure to act or by any of our actions that in themselves are sinful. We must always remember, however, that God still holds us accountable for the very sins He uses to accomplish His purpose.
There’s no conflict in the Bible between His sovereignty and our responsibility. Let us hold equally to both, doing our duty as revealed in Scripture and trusting God to sovereignly work out His purpose in and through us.
(Ref: Trusting God Even when life hurts, Jerry Bridges)
NOW LET US PRAY
Sovereign God, thank You Father for not allowing our failures or inactions to affect Your power and sovereignty over our lives. Help us to be responsible in prayers, bible study, seeking Your face and drawing close to You. Help us to live our lives in obedience to Your will. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray. Amen 
Have a blessed day 
