Sovereignty: The Attributes that Are True of God Alone

Sovereignty
Sovereignty means God is the Supreme Ruler; He is King of Heaven and Earth, having all power and authority, not necessarily being all controlling.

Specifics of God’s sovereignty

His sovereignty is universal.

His sovereignty is absolute.

His sovereignty is immutable.

Examples of God’s exercise of His sovereignty include

The establishment of the physical laws of the universe.

His determining power in nature (i.e. differing orders, and assignment of each in it's appropriate place).

His determining power in people (i.e. appointing of each individual, in position and lot).

His distribution of favors.

Scripture
The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them. (1Sam. 2:6-8)

Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. (1Chro. 29:11-12)

[Jehoshaphat]... said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name... (Chro. 20:6-8)

How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth! (Ps. 47:2 NIV)

But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. (Ps. 115:3)

And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? (Dan. 4:35)

Application
Nothing that ever happens to us is outside of God’s own directive. It is His sovereignty that produces salvation (Eph. 1:4-6), and the means by which our salvation is worked out (Phil. 2:13), for this reason we should be greatful and give Him praise and thanks. No trouble can come upon us except that which God permits, because of this we can be couragous in the face of our fears (cf. Job 1).

In His fellowship,
Brother John