Week Seven - Day Two: Sovereign

Sovereign is one of those weird religious words, isn‘t it? I sometimes think theologians are jealous of doctors for all the words they have that none of the rest of us can understand. It makes them seem so important. So, theologians have to have a few of their own to make themselves seem important. Sovereignty is one of those words. But don‘t dismiss the concept just because the word is weird.

Our Challenge For Understanding Sovereignty

Part of the problem for us (at least if you‘ve grown up under the influence of modern Western civilization) is that we no longer have any real sovereign in our lives. But in the Ancient Near East people were accustomed to others having a kind of power over their lives that was absolute and completely beyond their influence. Rulers, kings, tribal leaders, etc. made decisions that were unchallenged, without compromise and unaided.

These kinds of people were part of their everyday experience. And they referred to them as “master” and “lord.” In other words, “I recognize that what you say goes, even over my life and circumstances.”

The Meaning of Sovereign

According to dictionary.com, the best synonyms for sovereign are: “preeminent”, “indisputable”, “greatest in degree”, “highest in rank, power or authority”, or “supreme ruler.” The idea is pretty clear.

And this is exactly the idea behind the use of this word in the Bible. For example, in Acts 4, right after some of the early followers of Jesus have seen a miracle they pray this prayer: “‘Sovereign Lord,‘ they said, ‘you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.‘” In other words, You, Sovereign Lord rule over everything. Then they break into a chorus from one of the Psalms. I have italicized the Psalm to set it apart here. “‘You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.‘”

The Psalm doesn‘t answer its own question because David considered the answer obvious and so did the followers of Jesus. It is pointless for the peoples to plot against God. They shouldn‘t bother. Why? Because He is sovereign. “He does whatever He pleases.” [Psalm 115:3] So through what means did the early followers of Jesus experience this miracle? They believed it was through the activity of the “Sovereign Lord.”

Sovereignty is more than just one more in a long list of attributes of God

Please understand that “sovereignty” is more than just one more in a long list of attributes of God. If we‘re going to acquaint ourselves with God, it is critical that we get a grip on His sovereignty. It almost rises to level of His holiness in our understanding of Him. Our discussions of His omniscience, His omnipotence, His goodness and His greatness from last week have all led to this discussion of His sovereignty. In fact, A. W. Pink was right when he said, “The sovereignty of God may be defined as the exercise of His greatness.” So, as we discuss the sovereignty of God, we are really looking at the application and exercise of all that we have said over the past week. As the Sovereign Lord, God exercises His omnipotence, applying both His omniscience and His absolute goodness to show Himself greater than all by accomplishing all that He purposes and wills.

“Being infinitely elevated above the highest creature, He is the Most High, Lord of Heaven and Earth. Subject to none, influenced by none, absolutely independent; God does as He pleases, only as He pleases. None can thwart Him; none can hinder Him ... Divine sovereignty means that God is God, in fact as well as in name.”¹

This brings to mind a passage from Isaiah. Isaiah is speaking for God during a time when the people were being spiritually obstinate. And He is not gentle.

“Remember this, keep it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.‘ From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.” Isaiah 46:8-11

Be it bird of prey ... or a man from far off ... God will be behind it and it will fulfill His purpose. In this case, what Isaiah proclaimed and what God was doing was not good news for the congregation. This sounds like a warning to people like us. Yep ... definitely a warning and we should take it as such.

Before You Start Your Day

1. Let‘s read Psalm 71:1-21 as a devotional launch for our day. Think about the sovereignty of God as you read it.

   (1) In you, LORD, I have taken refuge;
         let me never be put to shame.

   (2) In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
         turn your ear to me and save me.

   (3) Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go;
         give the command to save me,
         for you are my rock and my fortress.

   (4) Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
         from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.

   (5) For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD,
         my confidence since my youth.

   (6) From birth I have relied on you;
         you brought me forth from my mother‘s womb.
         I will ever praise you.

   (7) I have become a sign to many;
         you are my strong refuge.

   (8) My mouth is filled with your praise,
         declaring your splendor all day long.

   (9) Do not cast me away when I am old;
         do not forsake me when my strength is gone.

   (10) For my enemies speak against me;
         those who wait to kill me conspire together.

   (11) They say, “God has forsaken him;
         pursue him and seize him,
         for no one will rescue him.”

   (12) Do not be far from me, my God;
         come quickly, God, to help me.

   (13) May my accusers perish in shame;
         may those who want to harm me
         be covered with scorn and disgrace.

   (14) As for me, I will always have hope;
         I will praise you more and more.

   (15) My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
         of your saving acts all day long–
         though I know not how to relate them all.

   (16) I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign LORD;
         I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.

   (17) Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
         and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

   (18) Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God,
         till I declare your power to the next generation,
         your mighty acts to all who are to come.

   (19) Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,
         you who have done great things. Who is like you, God?

   (20) Though you have made me see troubles,
         many and bitter, you will restore my life again;
         from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.

   (21) You will increase my honor
         and comfort me once more.

2. We will spend several days discussing God‘s sovereignty. Next week we will tackle some of the devotional problems that are raised by this aspect of God‘s nature. Pray that He will give us wisdom as we approach this tricky topic.