A Truth to Believe

What does it mean that God is Sovereign

God is a mighty, good, wise, and sovereign King who rules over everything. For God to be sovereign means that he controls all things and does whatever pleases him. God, in his wisdom and goodness governs, preserves, and directs everything to glorify himself. God reigns over the entire universe, from large-scale movements of kingdoms to minute personal details. All things are subject to his will and purpose.

God’s sovereignty and providence are two closely related realities. God’s sovereignty is his absolute control to do whatever he pleases––his dominion. God’s providence is his purposeful plan and ordaining of whatever comes to pass––his divine plan. Therefore, God is not only fully free to accomplish what he wants, but he also governs and rules over all things according to his definite and purposeful plans.

This means that sin and suffering are not outside of God’s control or plan––including the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  He ordains brokenness to accomplish his good purposes, although these realities simultaneously grieve his heart. While God controls the suffering of his saints, he is not the author of evil. Because in God there is no darkness and evil may not dwell with him, God is absolutely good and never morally responsible for evil.

There is nothing outside of God's control, and nothing takes him by surprise. This means God does not merely turn circumstance for good. Instead, he plans, intends, and means all things for the good of his people. God is in control of all things, and he does whatever he pleases. But God is also infinitely wise and infinitely good. God always knows and does what is best, accomplishing his purposes through the best methods for his glory. God also always has good intentions, does what is good, and produces ultimate good.

I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.

Isaiah 46:9–11

Something about Living

Scripture recognizes that God reigns over the entire universe, from large-scale movements of kingdoms to minute personal details. His power and greatest extend over all other authorities and all things are subject to his will and purpose. This is the sovereign, wise, and good God we worship.

I comprised and categorized a list of things the Bible declares God is sovereign over. May it encourage you to see the breadth and depth of God's sovereignty and providence.

1.     God’s control over his own plans (Psalm 115:3) See also Job 42:2; Psalm 115:3; Isaiah 14:24–27; 43:13; 46:9–11; Jeremiah 23:20; Daniel 4:34–35; Ephesians 1:11. 

2.     God’s control over the created world (Psalm 135:6–7) See also Job 37:5–13; Psalm 147:15–18; Isaiah 40:26; Matthew 10:29. 

3.     God’s control over human history and those in authority (Daniel 4:34–35) See also Psalm 33:10–11; Proverbs 21:1; Isaiah 14:24–25; John 19:11; Romans 13:1.

4.     God’s control over details of life (Proverbs 16:33) See also Exodus 4:11; Deuteronomy 32:39; 1 Peter 4:19.

5.     God’s control over individual lives (Psalm 139:13–16) See also Isaiah 29:16; 45:9; 64:8; Jeremiah 18:1–10; Romans 9:19–24.

6.     God’s control over human decisions (Proverbs 16:9) See also Exodus 9:12; James 4:13–15. 

7.     God’s control over evil and sin (Isaiah 45:7) See also Genesis 50:20; 1 Samuel 16:14; 1 Kings 22:23; Job 1:21–22; 2:10; Psalm 105:17; Proverbs 16:4; Isaiah 29:10; 53:4, 10; Amos 3:6; Romans 11:7–8.

8.     God’s control over the death of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:22–23; 4:27–28)  See also Isaiah 53:10; Acts 3:18; Romans 3:25.

9.     God’s control over faith and salvation (Romans 9:15–16) See also Exodus 33:19; Ephesians 1:4–6; 2 Timothy 1:8–10.

10.  God’s supreme control over all things (Romans 11:33–36) See also Lamentations 3:37–38; Daniel 4:34–35; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:10.

A Quote

“I am glad there is no such thing as chance, that nothing is left to itself but that Christ everywhere has sway.”

Charles Spurgeon

A Resource

If you are looking for a deep dive into the sovereignty/providence of God, then John Piper's work Providence is a great book to read.