“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Misconceptions about God abound. But they don’t have to. God has revealed His character in Scripture, illuminating the attributes that define Him. Since we, being finite creatures, can never truly comprehend everything that God is, our starting point should be studying what God has said about Himself.
When we speak of God's attributes, we are talking about those characteristics that help us to understand His nature. The list is long because He is the “Great I Am,” but the one I keep being drawn to is His sovereignty.
The Sovereignty of God is the biblical teaching that all things are under God's rule and control, and that nothing happens without His direction or permission. God works not just some things, but all things according to the counsel of His own will. His purposes are all-inclusive and never thwarted; nothing takes Him by surprise. The sovereignty of God doesn’t just mean He has the power and right to govern all things, but that He does govern all things, at all times and without exception. In other words, God is not merely sovereign in principle, but sovereign in practice.
God’s sovereignty is simply to say, “God is in control.” There is absolutely nothing that happens in the universe that is outside of God’s influence and authority. As King of kings and Lord of lords, God has no limitations and by His grace, I am what I am. He is in control of all things in all places and He lives within my heart.
Father God, You are sovereign in all things. I praise You and thank You for living in my heart and making me who I am. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You. Amen.
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As you go about your day, contemplate what God is to you and who you are because of Him. Meditate on the extent of His sovereignty and dominion, far greater and bigger that anything the human mind can imagine.
If God is sovereign, then why is there so much pain? Read Making Sense of Suffering.