The Sovereignty of God

My covenant I will not break,
Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.
Psalm 89:34 (NKJV)

“God is sovereign “ is a catch-all phrase used by many believers when something bad happens or when something turns out differently than what was expected. From healings that didn’t manifest, to children dying, to tragedies that alter people’s lives forever, the sovereignty of God seems to help explain the unexplainable.  It is the “default” answer when there seems to be no answer.  And, it is an understandable answer unless you measure it by the standard of God’s Word.

It is true that God is sovereign and has unlimited power. In Hebrews 6:13 God’s sovereignty can be seen: “…For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He swore by Himself.”  He is clearly saying in this scripture that there is no name higher than His own. Yet also according to the Word, God has chosen to limit Himself (and His sovereignty) in His dealings with Man. Psalm 138:2 says, “…for You have magnified your Word above all Your Name.” The Name above all names has chosen to elevate His Word above His name. Therefore, God has chosen to exert His sovereignty within the boundaries that He set in His Word.

Knowing this, a better question concerning the sovereignty of God would be…”What does God’s Word reveal about His sovereignty?” Here’s a sampling to get you started:

• “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that has gone out of my lips.” Psalm 89:34
• “…Bless the Lord oh my soul and forget not all His benefits:
  • Who forgives all your iniquities
  • Who heals all your diseases,
  • Who redeems your life from destruction”…Psalm 103: 2-4
• …”And let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” Psalm 35:27

The key to better understanding the sovereignty of God is to have a better understanding of His Word. Every born-again believer is in covenant with God. According to II Corinthians 2:20, “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” The Message paraphrases it this way…”Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus.”  The only thing that holds back the promises of God from manifesting, are believers who either don’t know what belongs to them or choose not to receive them by faith.

The more you learn about the covenant promises of God, the more the discussion on the sovereignty of God will turn from “Well, you never know what God is going to do” to “Look what the Lord has done!”

Do you think I’d withdraw my holy promise?
or take back words I’d already spoken?
Psalm 89:34 (The Message)