The sovereignty (power and control) of God is a difficult doctrine to understand, but Scripture provides compelling evidence for it despite how much our mind may resist. Prayerfully study the following texts that show how God controls every detail of everything. You can find the same information in a pdf version of God’s Sovereignty.
Sovereign over all things (Romans 8:28)
- His purpose will stand; He does as He pleases (Isaiah 14:24, 27; 46:10; Daniel 4:35; Psalm 135:6)
- Good and bad events (Lamentations 3:38)
- Brings about what said/planned (Isaiah 46:11)
Brings about all things (Ephesians 1:11)
- Demonstrate His’ power (Genesis 9:13-16)
- Demonstrate His’ healing (John 9:3)
People
- Life span: Controls life and death (Deuteronomy 32:39)
- Destination: Made the wicked for the day of evil (Proverbs 16:4)
- Position: Appoints rulers (Daniel 2:20-21, 4:17)
- Desires: Turns the heart as he wills (Proverbs 19:21, 21:1; Psalm 33:10-11; Judges 14:1-4)
- Actions: Appoints the time of men’s actions (Luke 22:52-53)
- Words: Sovereign over words (Proverbs 16:1; Psalm 139:4)
Events
- Conditions: Good and bad times made by God (Ecclesiastes 7:14)
- Outcomes: Controls actions/results (James 4:15; Proverbs 16:33; Lamentations 3:37)
- Sickness: Determines physical ailments (Exodus 4:11)
- Elements: Controls weather, earthquakes (Mark 4:39, Psalm 135:5-7, 60:2)
- Animals: Bird will not fall without approval (Matthew 10:29)
- Crucifixion
- Jesus arrested to fulfill God’s purpose (Acts 2:23)
- Pilate/Herod executed God’s plan (Acts 4:28-29)
Evil
- Permits/controls evil (Job 1:6-12; Acts 14:16; Exodus 12:23; Luke 22:31)
- Moves others to evil (Isaiah 19:2, 9:11: 2 Samuel 24:1)
- Sends evil spirits (1 Samuel 16:14-23; 1 Kings 14:13-40; Judges 9:23)
- Sends delusions (2 Thessalonians 2:11)
- Causes disaster/calamity (Amos 3:6; Isaiah 45:7; Lamentations 3:38)
For another way of looking at this topic see How Sovereign is God.
James' Mirror - Christian Discipleship Guide 