Sovereignty Of God
Definition of SOVEREIGNTY
1 obsolete : supreme excellence or an example of it
2 a : supreme power especially over a body politic
b : freedom from external control : autonomy
c : controlling influence
3 : one that is sovereign; especially : an autonomous state
And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth. (Genesis 14:19)
Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them. (Exodus 18:11)
But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. (Psalm 115:3)
God’s sovereignty reveals God’s governmental authority and power over his entire universe. It tells of God’s divine control over everything that happens. There is nothing outside the control of His loving Hand: not the designs of the wicked (even the plans of history’s most evil men);
All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4:35)
Nor the way the earth works in anger against the lives of men (as in natural disasters):
“Dominion and awe belong to God; he establishes order in the heights of heaven. (Job 25:2)
Nor the free will of man as we (mankind) never have been, and we never will be, able to circumvent or subvert in any way, shape, or manner, the will of Almighty God.
I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted”. (Job 42:2)
As a commentator puts it:
“Don’t you realize that if there is one molecule in this universe running around loose outside the scope or the sphere of God’s divine control and authority and power, then that single maverick molecule may be the grain of sand that changes the entire course of human history, that blocks God from keeping the promises he has made to his people?” It may be that one maverick molecule that will prevent Christ from the consummation of his kingdom. For if there is one maverick molecule, it would mean that God is not sovereign.
If there is any element of the universe that is outside of his authority, then he no longer is God over all. In other words, sovereignty belongs to deity. Sovereignty is a natural attribute of the Creator. God owns what he makes, and he rules what he owns.
God’s sovereignty is what backs up our claim and is the reason we are able to affirm that:
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28)
It is the anchor of the mind that holds it all together, no matter how muddled up the situation we may find ourselves in, because there is nothing beyond the control of God’s sovereign hand and no situation and act of wickedness can overwhelm His love for us.