The Sovereignty of God

Sovereignty is a big word. In the spiritual sense, when we speak of God’s sovereignty, it’s a big word with even bigger implications. God’s sovereignty may not be something we think about often, or maybe ever, nor is it spoken of much except in theological discourse. Still, much like the force of gravity in the physical realm, God’s sovereignty does not need our acknowledgment or approval to validate its truth or reality. Scripture is filled with references to the sovereign will of God and the way He works in the world.

“There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.” (Proverbs 19:21, KJV)

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” (James 4:14–15, KJV)

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:11, KJV)

Defining the Term

Noah Webster defines sovereignty as “Supreme in power; possessing supreme dominion; superior to all others.” Essentially, nothing can thwart or stop the purposes of the Lord.

Job is a man in Scripture who truly understood the reality of God’s supremacy in power and dominion. In a moment in time, Job lost everything, his ten children, his wealth, his servants, his health, and his reputation. It would have been easy, even natural, for Job to become bitter and angry, to blame God for his condition, and yet Job tells God:

“I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.” (Job 42:2, KJV)

Job believed in God's supreme power and that his own personal circumstances were subject to God's dominion.

Three Governing Characteristics

Just because Scripture reinforces the sovereignty of God does not make it easy for us to understand or accept. Many question the extent of God’s power when they witness all the evil and sin in our world today. Others question how much God cares when they see or experience natural disasters that impact His creation.

Because every person will experience circumstances in their lifetime that cause them to question God’s sovereignty, we need to understand that His sovereignty is governed by three key characteristics: God’s wisdom, justice, and mercy.

God never does anything randomly or without an infinitely wise purpose. Even the most unthinkable evils experienced on earth are subject to God’s infinite wisdom. This is often difficult for us to accept and impossible to fully understand, but Scripture provides powerful examples of faith maintained through impossible circumstances.

Joseph is one of those examples. After being sold into slavery, falsely accused, imprisoned, and abandoned, he ultimately declared:

“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good…” (Genesis 50:20, KJV)

Joseph understood that God’s sovereignty is always governed by His infinite wisdom, not our immediate circumstances.

Justice and Mercy

God’s sovereignty is also governed by His justice and mercy. All that God does is righteous and just. He never wrongs anyone.

“Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne…” (Psalm 89:14, KJV)

God’s ultimate desire is to show mercy on His creation:

“Therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you… for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.” (Isaiah 30:18, KJV)

In writing about God’s justice and mercy, pastor and theologian John Piper explains that God’s ultimate aim is to be glorified for His mercy and grace toward undeserving sinners.

An Honest Confession

The Apostle Paul lays out his belief in the sovereignty of God beautifully when he writes:

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible… all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist… that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:16–18, KJV)

Now here is my confession. Much of what I am writing here is honestly just me once again preaching the gospel to myself.

Our family has endured one of the most difficult years in memory. Circumstances have tested our faith in ways we never imagined. These words are being written in a season of wrestling with God and struggling to accept the truth of His sovereignty. Believing in the goodness of God has never been more difficult amidst the confusion of closed doors and broken dreams.

In the suffering and difficulties, we continue to trust and believe that God is supreme, superior to all others, and nothing can thwart or stop His purposes.

Where You Might Be Today

If I had to guess, I don’t think I’m alone in struggling at times to rest in God’s sovereignty. Maybe you are on a spiritual mountaintop right now. Rejoice in that moment, but understand it will not last forever.

Maybe you are walking through a valley, and your circumstances feel heavy. Have hope. That season will not last forever either.

Whatever spiritual state you find yourself in today, I pray that the truth of God’s sovereignty brings comfort in grief, assurance in questioning, and hope in despair. The Lord is supreme in power, and nothing can stop Him.

May our prayer always be that in all things in our lives, Christ would have preeminence.