Toward the end of the period of the Judges, Eli ministered at Shiloh as High Priest to the LORD and as Judge over Israel (ca. 1100 B.C.). Hophni and Phineas, Eli’s sons, ministered there with him as Priests. Although Hophni and Phineas had one of the highest and most sacred callings in Israel, they were wicked and corrupt (1 Samuel 2:12). They had greatly departed from the ways of God, corrupting the priesthood for personal gain and pleasure. Eli himself, although not guilty of the same sins found in his sons, had done little to correct them in their wicked conduct.

In a revelation given to the young boy Samuel, God pronounced His impending judgment upon the family of Eli. God declared that He would kill both Hophni and Phineas in the same day and would tear the Priesthood away from the family of Eli. Such a pronouncement would surely be devastating to Eli, who had dedicated his life to serving the LORD and who greatly desired the prosperity of his own family; but upon hearing from Samuel of the doom pronounced upon his house, Eli responded, “It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him.”

“It is the LORD.” It is not man, though the instrumentality of man may be employed. It is not the devil, though God permits the devil to cause trouble in the earth. It is not fortune, chance, or luck, for these do not exist in God’s universe. No, it is the LORD. God ordains all things that come to pass, and He does so according to His wise and Holy will. Nothing can happen, whether good or evil, unless God determines that it will be so. Eli knew these truths and was quick to attribute whatever would happen with his family to the ruling providence of God. Job, after Satan had caused the tragic loss of his great possessions and his ten children in the same day, could say, “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away” (Job 1:21). Joseph, after being sold by his brothers as a slave into Egypt, could say to them, “So now it was not you who sent me here, but God” (Genesis 45:8). Paul described God to the Ephesians as He “who works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Ephesians 1:11), and there is nothing in the universe that is not subject to the sovereign rule of God. Christ Himself said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will” (Matthew 10:29).

“Let Him do what seems good to Him.”-Not “Let Him do what seems good to me.” Eli not only acknowledged God’s sovereign rule over the events of his life, but he humbly submitted to God. He was willing, though it caused him the deepest pain, to receive from God whatever God determined to be good. Job, on his occasion of deep loss said, “Blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21). Though crushed in his spirit and despairing of life, Job acknowledged that God’s ways were right, and he found no fault with God. Joseph also justified God in his painful trial, saying to his brothers, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good…” (Genesis 50:20).

It has been argued by some that Eli’s words were not of faith because he did not plead with God to restrain His hand of judgment. Although it is true that at other times God relented of imposing a threatened judgment (Jonah 3:10), God had twice told Eli that this judgment would come (1 Sam 2:27-36; 3:11-14), and the decree was firm (1 Samuel 3:14). It is also likely that Eli would have pleaded with God to grant mercy even though he was resigned to accept God’s will-and it is always appropriate for God’s people to do so. There need be no inconsistency between submission and supplication.

Let us learn to acknowledge that God is sovereign over all of the events of life. Can you look at the events of your life and say, “It is the LORD”? Are you able to acknowledge that it is God who has determined your path? Do you see that even your pain and trials come from His almighty hand? The sovereign rule of God in this world is one of the greatest truths that can ever be comprehended; it is a truth that transforms lives. Yes, there is One who is sovereign over all things. In His universe, nothing can occur that He does not decree. “It is the LORD.”

Let us learn to humbly submit ourselves to God’s sovereign rule. It is possible to admit God’s control of events and circumstances and yet lack submission to His will. Even the demons believe and tremble (James 2:19), but they do not submit in heart to what seems good to God; and this is the very essence of sin. It is not sufficient to acknowledge that God rules the world and that His power is supreme. God also requires humble submission to His will on the part of His creatures.

Has God’s providence in your life devastated you? Have the desires of your heart been withheld from you? Have you experienced pain and sorrow that seem more than you can bear? Have the tears flowed day after day, and have your nights been filled with sorrow? Hope in God, and learn to say from the heart, “Let Him do what seems good to Him.” Remember that what seems good to God is good, though it be painful to you. He has purposes for your trials that surpass your understanding but are surely known to Him. Remember that when you call upon Him in truth, submit to His will, and remain faithful, even your trials and losses will be turned into blessing. He will surely work all things together for good to those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28). In the end, Job was more greatly blessed than he had been before his trials began. In the end, Joseph was made the Prince of Egypt and saved the known world from famine. In the end, even the death of Eli’s sons and the removal of the Priesthood from his family preserved the true worship of God for a time in Israel. In the end, the Lord always proves that His will is for the ultimate good. Though He is a God of judgment, He is also full of compassion and merciful.

In the darkest time of His life, Christ humbly submitted to what was good in the sight of the Father. In the garden of Gethsemane, while in deep torment over the sufferings that were before Him, He humbled Himself before the Father and said, “Not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). He was submissive to the point of death. His sorrow was for our salvation. That which was the greatest pain to Him was for the greatest good in God’s plan, and His suffering eventually gave place to great rejoicing. So it is with God’s people: though our sorrow may last for the night, a shout of joy comes in the morning.