Chapter 7

God’s Sovereignty

Sections

As the one and only God, God has supreme power and control over all things. Comprehending this and its implications is vital to having a sound understanding of God and of his relationship to the world – including his relationship with ourselves.

God Rules Supreme

He is the one and only God

[God:] And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me. 22“Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.   Isaiah 45:21b-22 ESV

God rules over all

O Lord, you are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt yourself as the ruler of all.   1 Chronicles 29:11 NET

Note that “Lord” is what God said is his name. It can be derived from the Hebrew for “I AM” (in Exodus 3:14). It appears to express God’s unchanging nature, self-existence, self-determination and being ever-present.

God will reign forever

But you, O Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation.   Lamentations 5:19 NET

God carries out his plans

The Lord Almighty has sworn an oath: “What I have planned will happen. What I have determined to do will be done.   Isaiah 14:24 GNT

God will impose his absolute rule on all

[John, describing a vision:] They said, “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to rule.   Revelation 11:17 ISV

God Has Control over All Things

God has control over evil

[Paul, to believers:] The only temptation that has come to you is that which everyone has. But you can trust God, who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to stand it.   1 Corinthians 10:13 NCV™

God has control over nature

He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through the clouds. 12The clouds go round in circles, wheeling about according to his plans, to carry out all that he commands them over the face of the whole inhabited world.   Job 37:11-12 NET

God has control over the nations

[A psalmist, to God:] May the nations be glad and sing for joy, because you judge the peoples with justice and guide every nation on earth.   Psalms 67:4 GNT

God Has Control over People

God has control over people’s minds

The Lord caused the Egyptians to think well of them, and the Egyptians gave the people everything they asked for.   Exodus 12:36a NCV™

God has control over people’s actions

[Daniel, to King Belshazzar:] But you have not glorified the God who has in his control your very breath and all your ways!   Daniel 5:23b NET

God controls all that happens to people

[A wise teacher:] When life is good, enjoy it. But when life is hard, remember: God gives good times and hard times, and no one knows what tomorrow will bring.   Ecclesiastes 7:14 NCV™

Pray for persecuted Christians