Is God sovereign and in control even when things don't go as expected?
Yes. Scripture indicates that even when God does not act according to human expectations, He remains sovereign and in control. Believers are laborers together with God, and human carnality does not cancel that partnership. His methods may differ from what people think best, but His sovereignty is never diminished.
Les explains that even when God does not do it the way we think He should, He is nevertheless sovereign and in control. In verse 9, the text says believers are laborers together with God. Les calls this a wonderful partnership, better than being hooked up with a wealthy person. Even if believers are carnal like the Corinthians, it does not cancel that they are still laborers with God. This encourages those who are not spiritual giants.