Every new year brings with it a convoluted mix of anticipation and uncertainty. 2022 has been no exception. We all know by experience that life in a fallen world is filled with disappointments, discouragements, and frustrations. Things rarely happen according to plan. And yet, regardless of what the new year might bring, God’s people can have hope. This hope is not some kind of wishful thinking that our circumstances will get better. Rather, it is a bedrock, joy-filled confidence that our God is sovereign and is orchestrating all of the events in our lives to accomplish His wise, good, and gracious purposes.

Defining God’s Sovereignty

God’s sovereignty refers to His supreme position and absolute power as the Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler over creation. He is “the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (I Tim. 6:15). Everything and everyone is under His sovereign control. He is never helpless, frustrated, or surprised. No one can alter His determined plan or purposes (Job 42:1; Isa. 14:24-27). He will accomplish all that He has planned because He has the right and power to do so (Isa. 46:11).

The Extent of God’s Sovereignty

In times of uncertainty, it’s comforting to remember the nature and extent of God’s sovereign reign.

Sovereign over the nations

Isaiah 40:15-17 states, “Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust. Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering. All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.” When the nations rage and seek to exalt themselves as supreme, our God “sits in the heavens and laughs” (Ps. 2). Nations and rulers will rise and fall, but God’s reign is forever.

Sovereign over authorities

Romans 13:1 reminds us that “there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” I think we all know from experience how frustrating it can be when those in positions of power make decisions that seem foolish to us. It’s tempting to think that our wellbeing rests in the hands of incompetent people. God, however, rules over rulers and even uses their folly to accomplish His good purposes (ex. consider God’s words to Pharaoh in Ex. 9:16). Ultimately, even “the king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will” (Pr. 21:1).

Sovereign over all

Our God works “all things” according to the counsel of His will (Eph. 1:11). As a wise teacher once noted, “All means all, and that’s all that all means.” Nothing – absolutely nothing – going on in our lives is in any way outside of God’s sovereign control.

Now, it’s one thing to know and even affirm the truths about God’s all-encompassing sovereignty, but do we truly believe it? If so, then why do we so often find ourselves struggling with worry, doubt, fear, or anger?

The Goodness of God’s Sovereignty

Sadly, our confessional theology (what we say we believe) is often divorced from our functional theology (the beliefs that guide our practice). We say that God is sovereign, but when things aren’t going according to plan, we begin to doubt the goodness of God’s sovereign ways. As fallen, sinful creatures, we want control. We believe that we know what’s best. We want to have the final say over the events, circumstances, and outcomes of our lives. The lie that tempted Adam and Even to doubt God’s goodness, chose autonomy, and rebel against God’s reign is the lie that we often succumb to when things seem to be spiraling out of control.

The truth about God’s sovereignty will be a comfort to us when we remember that His sovereign rule works in perfect harmony with His boundless wisdom, goodness, and love. In his helpful book, Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts, Jerry Bridges notes, “That which should distinguish the suffering of believers from unbelievers is the confidence that our suffering is under the control of an all-powerful and all-loving God. Our suffering has meaning and purpose in God’s eternal plan, and He brings or allows to come into our lives only that which is for His glory and our good.” In our uncertainty, we can turn to the certainty of Romans 8:28-39 and experience afresh the peace, joy, and hope that comes resting in the doctrine of God’s sovereignty.  

Responding to God’s Sovereignty

The truths God has revealed about Himself in the Scriptures were meant to drive us to worship. When we think specifically about God’s sovereignty, worship should be expressed in at least three ways:

#1. Repentant submission

One of the most profound statements in all of the Bible on the sovereignty of God was ironically made by King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:34-35. This proud, pagan king who basked in the glow of his own power and glory had to be humbled by God in order to learn just how powerless he truly was (see Dan.4:28-37). He responded to God’s display of sovereignty in repentant submission and was gloriously changed! “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (v.37).

The truth is, there’s a little bit of the spirit of the proud Nebuchadnezzar in all of us. We’re tempted to take credit for what only God’s grace can accomplish. We make plans as if we had control over tomorrow (see James 4:13-15). We forget just how fragile and finite we really are. Like Nebuchadnezzar, the truths of God’s sovereignty should drive us afresh to repentance, submission, and worship as we acknowledge God’s lordship over all of life.

#2. Fearless obedience

Daniel states that those who truly know their God “shall be strong, and do exploits.” Knowing that God is sovereign over our health, our future, and every trial that we might face liberates us to pursue fearless obedience to Christ in a world racked by fears and worries.

#3. Hopeful trust

One of the great examples of this hopeful trust can be found in the life of missionary William Carey. It was confidence in the sovereign power of God that kept him plodding for the gospel’s advance amid daunting obstacles. Carey once noted, “When I left England, my hope of India’s conversion was very strong; but amongst so many obstacles, it would die, unless upheld by God. Well, I have God, and His Word is true. Though the superstitions of the heathen were a thousand times stronger than they are, and the example of the Europeans a thousand times worse; though I were deserted by all and persecuted by all, yet my faith, fixed on the sure Word, would rise above all obstructions and overcome every trial. God’s cause will triumph.”