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God is Sovereign
God is Sovereign
Sovereignty Defined
Sovereignty Defined
The word “sovereign” has as its root the verb “reign,” meaning to rule.
The word “sovereign” has as its root the verb “reign,” meaning to rule.
The prefix sove is derived from super, meaning over or above. To say that God is sovereign is to say that He rules over all.
The prefix sove is derived from super, meaning over or above. To say that God is sovereign is to say that He rules over all.
He is the “God of gods” (Deut 10:17), the “King of kings” (1 Tim 6:15, Rev 17:14, 19:16), and the “Lord of lords” ( Deut 10:17, 1 Tim 6:15, Rev 17:14, 19:16).
He is the “God of gods” (Deut 10:17), the “King of kings” (1 Tim 6:15, Rev 17:14, 19:16), and the “Lord of lords” ( Deut 10:17, 1 Tim 6:15, Rev 17:14, 19:16).
17 For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:
15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
17 For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:
15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
As David exclaims in 1 Chronicles 29:11b-12a: “Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.
As David exclaims in 1 Chronicles 29:11b-12a: “Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.
11 Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.
12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all” (see also Ps 22:28 and Ps 103:19 ).
Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all” (see also Ps 22:28 and Ps 103:19 ).
28 For the kingdom is the Lord’s: And he is the governor among the nations.
19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; And his kingdom ruleth over all.
To put it in even simpler terms, God is the “boss” of everything.
To put it in even simpler terms, God is the “boss” of everything.
By virtue of the fact that He has created all things, He has the right to rule over them (see Rom 9:14-21).
By virtue of the fact that He has created all things, He has the right to rule over them (see Rom 9:14-21).
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
God does as He pleases with His creation (see Job 23:13, 42:2, Psalm 2, 115:3, 135:5-6, Isa 46:9-11, and Dan 4:35).
God does as He pleases with His creation (see Job 23:13, 42:2, Psalm 2, 115:3, 135:5-6, Isa 46:9-11, and Dan 4:35).
13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
2 I know that thou canst do every thing, And that no thought can be withholden from thee.
1 Why do the heathen rage, And the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, And cast away their cords from us.
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: The Lord shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure.
6 Yet have I set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: The Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; This day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, And I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: Be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, And ye perish from the way, When his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
3 But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
5 For I know that the Lord is great, And that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatsoever the Lord pleased, That did he in heaven, and in earth, In the seas, and all deep places.
9 Remember the former things of old: For I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times the things that are not yet done, Saying, My counsel shall stand, And I will do all my pleasure:
11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, The man that executeth my counsel from a far country: Yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
Some Things Over Which God is Sovereign
Some Things Over Which God is Sovereign
The weather (see Job 36:32, Jer 10:13, Jonah 1:4, 4:8, and Mark 4:41)
The weather (see Job 36:32, Jer 10:13, Jonah 1:4, 4:8, and Mark 4:41)
32 With clouds he covereth the light; And commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.
13 When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, And he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; He maketh lightnings with rain, And bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.
4 But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.
8 And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
The animal kingdom (see Isa 46:11a, Jonah 1:17, 2:10, 4:7, and Matt 10:29)
The animal kingdom (see Isa 46:11a, Jonah 1:17, 2:10, 4:7, and Matt 10:29)
11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, The man that executeth my counsel from a far country: Yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
17 Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
10 And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.
7 But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
The plant kingdom (see Jonah 4:6)
The plant kingdom (see Jonah 4:6)
6 And the Lord God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.
Human rulers (see Prov 21:1, Dan 2:21, 4:25, Rom 13:1, and Rev 17:17).
Human rulers (see Prov 21:1, Dan 2:21, 4:25, Rom 13:1, and Rev 17:17).
1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever he will.
21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: He removeth kings, and setteth up kings: He giveth wisdom unto the wise, And knowledge to them that know understanding:
25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
This is a case of the-greater-to-the-lesser, i.e., if God is sovereign over the greatest of human beings, He is sovereign over all human beings.
This is a case of the-greater-to-the-lesser, i.e., if God is sovereign over the greatest of human beings, He is sovereign over all human beings.
All human sovereigns are given their authority by the Sovereign and are merely instruments in His hand to accomplish His purposes (see Isa 44:28-45:1 and Rom 9:17).
All human sovereigns are given their authority by the Sovereign and are merely instruments in His hand to accomplish His purposes (see Isa 44:28-45:1 and Rom 9:17).
28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, And shall perform all my pleasure: Even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; And to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
1 Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, Whose right hand I have holden, To subdue nations before him; And I will loose the loins of kings, To open before him the two leaved gates; And the gates shall not be shut;
17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
Some Implications of God’s Sovereignty
Because God is sovereign, He has the right to tell us what to do.
Some Implications of God’s Sovereignty
Because God is sovereign, He has the right to tell us what to do.
Because God is sovereign, He has the right to tell us what we should do, when we should do it, where we should do it, how we should do it, with and to whom we should do it, and why we should do it.
Because God is sovereign, He has the right to tell us what we should do, when we should do it, where we should do it, how we should do it, with and to whom we should do it, and why we should do it.
The only proper response to God’s demands is unconditional obedience.
The only proper response to God’s demands is unconditional obedience.
This starts with surrendering oneself to God at salvation (lordship) and continues throughout one’s Christian life by obeying the commands of Scripture.
This starts with surrendering oneself to God at salvation (lordship) and continues throughout one’s Christian life by obeying the commands of Scripture.
Because God is sovereign, we can rest secure.
Because God is sovereign, we can rest secure.
God controls all things. Nothing happens without His permission.
God controls all things. Nothing happens without His permission.
There is no “maverick molecule” in the universe (McCune).
There is no “maverick molecule” in the universe (McCune).
This fact should give us great comfort. We don’t have to worry about anything.
This fact should give us great comfort. We don’t have to worry about anything.
It’s all in His hands. Our only “concern” is to do what He tells us to do, leaving the results with Him.
It’s all in His hands. Our only “concern” is to do what He tells us to do, leaving the results with Him.
Because God is sovereign, we should worship Him.
Because God is sovereign, we should worship Him.
Notice how God’s sovereignty is the basis for David’s worship in 1 Chronicles 29:10-13. See also Revelation 19:6, upon which are based the words to the A Hallelujah@ chorus.
Notice how God’s sovereignty is the basis for David’s worship in 1 Chronicles 29:10-13. See also Revelation 19:6, upon which are based the words to the A Hallelujah@ chorus.
10 Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.
11 Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.
12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.
6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
“The doctrine of God’s sovereignty has very often appeared, an exceeding pleasant, bright and sweet doctrine to me: and absolute sovereignty is what I love to ascribe to God” (Jonathan Edwards, quoted in Storms, p. 29).
“The doctrine of God’s sovereignty has very often appeared, an exceeding pleasant, bright and sweet doctrine to me: and absolute sovereignty is what I love to ascribe to God” (Jonathan Edwards, quoted in Storms, p. 29).
“There is no attribute more comforting to His children than that of God’s Sovereignty.
“There is no attribute more comforting to His children than that of God’s Sovereignty.
Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials, they believe that Sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, that Sovereignty overrules them, and that Sovereignty will sanctify them all.
Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials, they believe that Sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, that Sovereignty overrules them, and that Sovereignty will sanctify them all.
There is nothing for which the children ought more earnestly to contend than the doctrine of their Master over all creation–the Kingship of God over all the works of His own hands–the Throne of God and His right to sit upon that Throne.
There is nothing for which the children ought more earnestly to contend than the doctrine of their Master over all creation–the Kingship of God over all the works of His own hands–the Throne of God and His right to sit upon that Throne.
On the other hand, there is no doctrine more hated by worldlings, no truth of which they have made such a football, as the great, stupendous, but yet most certain doctrine of the Sovereignty of the infinite Jehovah.
On the other hand, there is no doctrine more hated by worldlings, no truth of which they have made such a football, as the great, stupendous, but yet most certain doctrine of the Sovereignty of the infinite Jehovah.
Men will allow God to be everywhere except on His throne.
Men will allow God to be everywhere except on His throne.
They will allow Him to be in His workshop to fashion worlds and make stars.
They will allow Him to be in His workshop to fashion worlds and make stars.
They will allow Him to be in His almonry [money house] to dispense His alms and bestow His bounties.
They will allow Him to be in His almonry [money house] to dispense His alms and bestow His bounties.
They will allow Him to sustain the earth and bear up the pillars thereof, or light the lamps of heaven, or rule the waves of the ever-moving ocean; but when God ascends His throne, His creatures then gnash their teeth.
They will allow Him to sustain the earth and bear up the pillars thereof, or light the lamps of heaven, or rule the waves of the ever-moving ocean; but when God ascends His throne, His creatures then gnash their teeth.
And we proclaim an enthroned God, and His right to do as He wills with His own, to dispose of His creatures as He thinks well, without consulting them in the matter . . . then it is that men turn a deaf ear to us, for God on His throne is not the God they love.
And we proclaim an enthroned God, and His right to do as He wills with His own, to dispose of His creatures as He thinks well, without consulting them in the matter . . . then it is that men turn a deaf ear to us, for God on His throne is not the God they love.
But it is God upon the throne that we love to preach.
But it is God upon the throne that we love to preach.
It is God upon His throne whom we trust” (Charles Haddon Spurgeon, quoted in Pink, pp. 32-33).
Some Objections to God’s Sovereignty Answered
It is God upon His throne whom we trust” (Charles Haddon Spurgeon, quoted in Pink, pp. 32-33).
Some Objections to God’s Sovereignty Answered
In spite of the fact that the Bible clearly teaches God’s sovereignty, some have attempted to deny it or at least “water it down,” finding it difficult to reconcile divine sovereignty with human freedom (How can a man be genuinely free if God is in complete control of him?) and the presence of evil (If God is both in control of everything and holy, why does evil exist?).
In spite of the fact that the Bible clearly teaches God’s sovereignty, some have attempted to deny it or at least “water it down,” finding it difficult to reconcile divine sovereignty with human freedom (How can a man be genuinely free if God is in complete control of him?) and the presence of evil (If God is both in control of everything and holy, why does evil exist?).
In response to the former, Ryrie states: “Sovereignty/freedom forms an antinomy (‘a contradiction between two apparently equally valid principles or between inferences correctly drawn from such principles’).
In response to the former, Ryrie states: “Sovereignty/freedom forms an antinomy (‘a contradiction between two apparently equally valid principles or between inferences correctly drawn from such principles’).
Antinomies in the Bible, however, consist only of apparent contradictions, not ultimate ones.
Antinomies in the Bible, however, consist only of apparent contradictions, not ultimate ones.
One can accept the truths of an antinomy and live with them, accepting by faith what cannot be reconciled; or one can try to harmonize the apparent contradictions in an antinomy which inevitably leads to overemphasizing one truth to the neglect or even denial of the other” (Ryrie, pp. 43-44
One can accept the truths of an antinomy and live with them, accepting by faith what cannot be reconciled; or one can try to harmonize the apparent contradictions in an antinomy which inevitably leads to overemphasizing one truth to the neglect or even denial of the other” (Ryrie, pp. 43-44
In spite of the fact that the Bible clearly teaches God’s sovereignty, some have attempted to deny it or at least “water it down,” finding it difficult to reconcile divine sovereignty with human freedom (How can a man be genuinely free if God is in complete control of him?)
In spite of the fact that the Bible clearly teaches God’s sovereignty, some have attempted to deny it or at least “water it down,” finding it difficult to reconcile divine sovereignty with human freedom (How can a man be genuinely free if God is in complete control of him?)
and the presence of evil (If God is both in control of everything and holy, why does evil exist?).
and the presence of evil (If God is both in control of everything and holy, why does evil exist?).
In response to the former, Ryrie states: “Sovereignty/freedom forms an antinomy (‘a contradiction between two apparently equally valid principles or between inferences correctly drawn from such principles’).
In response to the former, Ryrie states: “Sovereignty/freedom forms an antinomy (‘a contradiction between two apparently equally valid principles or between inferences correctly drawn from such principles’).
Antinomies in the Bible, however, consist only of apparent contradictions, not ultimate ones. One can accept the truths of an antinomy and live with them, accepting by faith what cannot be reconciled; or one can try to harmonize the apparent contradictions in an antinomy which inevitably leads to overemphasizing one truth to the neglect or even denial of the other” (Ryrie, pp. 43-44).
Antinomies in the Bible, however, consist only of apparent contradictions, not ultimate ones. One can accept the truths of an antinomy and live with them, accepting by faith what cannot be reconciled; or one can try to harmonize the apparent contradictions in an antinomy which inevitably leads to overemphasizing one truth to the neglect or even denial of the other” (Ryrie, pp. 43-44).
Storms (pp. 177-178) makes the same point with a rhetorical question: “How is one to reconcile these apparently conflicting assertions?
Storms (pp. 177-178) makes the same point with a rhetorical question: “How is one to reconcile these apparently conflicting assertions?
Should one accept both as equally inspired declarations and simply acquiesce to the resultant mystery, trusting in the sufficiency of an infinitely powerful and wise God to so constitute and orchestrate the created order such that both are true?”
Should one accept both as equally inspired declarations and simply acquiesce to the resultant mystery, trusting in the sufficiency of an infinitely powerful and wise God to so constitute and orchestrate the created order such that both are true?”
This is a “suprarational” matter, i.e., one which is above and beyond the human intellect’s ability to grasp (suprarational ? irrational, however).
This is a “suprarational” matter, i.e., one which is above and beyond the human intellect’s ability to grasp (suprarational ? irrational, however).
Scripture affirms both truths (compare Jonah 1:15 with Jonah 2:3; Luke 22:22a with Luke 22:22b; Acts 2:23a with Acts 2:23b; Acts 4:27 with Acts 4:28; and Phil 2:12 with Phil 2:13).
Scripture affirms both truths (compare Jonah 1:15 with Jonah 2:3; Luke 22:22a with Luke 22:22b; Acts 2:23a with Acts 2:23b; Acts 4:27 with Acts 4:28; and Phil 2:12 with Phil 2:13).
15 So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.
3 For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; And the floods compassed me about: All thy billows and thy waves passed over me.
22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!
22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!
23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
In response to the problem of evil, Tozer writes: “In His sovereign wisdom God has permitted evil to exist in carefully restricted areas of His creation, a kind of fugitive outlaw whose activities are temporary and limited in scope. In doing this God has acted according to His infinite wisdom and goodness.
In response to the problem of evil, Tozer writes: “In His sovereign wisdom God has permitted evil to exist in carefully restricted areas of His creation, a kind of fugitive outlaw whose activities are temporary and limited in scope. In doing this God has acted according to His infinite wisdom and goodness.
More than that no one knows at present; and more than that no one needs to know” (Tozer, p. 110).
More than that no one knows at present; and more than that no one needs to know” (Tozer, p. 110).
Religion has resulted in the invention of a new meaning for the word “sovereign,” which basically means God controls everything.
Religion has resulted in the invention of a new meaning for the word “sovereign,” which basically means God controls everything.
Nothing can happen but what He wills or allows.
Nothing can happen but what He wills or allows.
However, there is nothing in the actual definition that states that.
However, there is nothing in the actual definition that states that.
The dictionary defines “sovereign” as,
The dictionary defines “sovereign” as,
“1. Paramount; supreme.
“1. Paramount; supreme.
2. Having supreme rank or power.
2. Having supreme rank or power.
3. Independent: a sovereign state.
3. Independent: a sovereign state.
4. Excellent.”
4. Excellent.”
None of these definitions means that God controls everything.
None of these definitions means that God controls everything.