God’s Sovereignty

I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning; …My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure… Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass…

Isaiah 46:9-10

I love this simple definition of God’s sovereignty from author Mark Buchanan: “God made all, rules all, and overrules all that stands in his way” (“The Rest of God,” p. 74). 

Another Bible teacher years ago taught us that “God can do anything He wants, any time He wants, any way He wants, for any purpose He wants to accomplish.”

That would not be good news unless we also understand the character of God.  We know from His Word that He is love, and that He is good.  He gave His Son Jesus to die for the sins of the world so that we could have eternal life with Him.  Our part is to believe Him and personally receive this gift of salvation by faith.

For those who belong to Jesus, this is a truth that provides a firm foundation for our life, no matter what we are going through. We can be absolutely secure knowing that God is sovereign over every detail of our life.  He is all knowing, all powerful, nothing is impossible or outside of His control.  If He has allowed something in our life, it is because He has a purpose for it.  We may not understand, but we can trust Him.

I pray that whatever you are experiencing right now, you will be encouraged as you remember that God is in charge.  He can change circumstances at any time.  But if He does not, He promises to walk through them moment by moment with you.  He offers strength, peace, wisdom, comfort to those who belong to Him and seek Him with all our heart.

There are many Scriptures that assure us of God’s sovereignty.  I’ve chosen just a few for today:

Isaiah 44:24, 27 The LORD of hosts has sworn saying, “Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand…:

Is 46:9-11  I am God, and there is no other; …no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning… My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure… I have planned it, surely I will do it.

Daniel 2:20-23 He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men, and knowledge to men of understanding…

Proverbs 21:1 A king’s heart is like streams of water in the Lord’s hand.  He directs it wherever He chooses.

John 19:10-11 Pilate said to Jesus, “Do you not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?”  Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me unless it had been given you from above…”

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Are there circumstances in your life right now that seem “out of control?” How are you encouraged by the truth of God’s sovereignty?

In the Psalms we read of people crying out to God in times of trouble.  We are assured that God hears.  Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him (NASB).

Write a prayer to God.  Ask Him to make this truth real in your life today.