Day after day, century after century, history shows us how easily the world shifts away from right thinking about God. People have largely lost a biblical view of who He is, particularly His sovereignty. Instead, He is often pictured as a powerful being whom we don’t really know, but who somehow owes us comfort and good things. Then, when an unpleasant trial comes, when we lose a loved one, face serious sickness, or have a child born with a disability… many quickly conclude that this God is not good, or that He has lost control. Therefore, they decide He is not worthy of our service, worship, or obedience.
It does not take long for a generation to lose a right view of God. All it requires is people doing what is right in their own eyes while neglecting the Word of the Lord (Judges 21:25).
His Attributes
We often talk, and rightly so, about God’s attributes like His omnipresence, omniscience, holiness, justice, love, grace, goodness, and mercy, among many others. Yet even all these together cannot fully describe the God of the Bible. As Paul cried out, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33).
One of the clearest revelations of God’s sovereignty appears in His conversation with Moses in Exodus 4. Moses was very reluctant to go before Pharaoh. He complained to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue” (Exodus 4:10). God had already shown Moses several miraculous signs, yet Moses still hesitated.
Then came the sovereign answer of the Almighty:
“Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.” (Exodus 4:11-12)
This is a shocking and humbling statement. The Lord could have instantly healed Moses’ speech impediment, but He chose not to. He openly declared that He is the One who makes the mouth, the mute, the deaf, the seeing, and the blind. Nothing happens outside His sovereign will — not even in the womb (Isaiah 44:24; Lamentations 3:37-39). The Lord does not make mistakes. He allows what He wills, and what He allows is done according to His perfect purpose.
This truth runs throughout Scripture. The fact that God does not always heal or immediately remove suffering does not mean He is unable or has lost control. He simply works according to His own wise and holy plans, not ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). He is absolutely sovereign over every part of His creation: holy angels and fallen angels, nations and kings, the hearts of men, the wind and waves, the creatures of the sea, and even the smallest worm in the ground (Proverbs 21:1; Isaiah 46:9-11; Psalm 24:1; Jonah 1:17, 4:6-7).
We Are Not
One of our greatest problems today is that many Christians carry an imaginary view of God. They treat Him as though He were bound by their faith, their words, or their desires… as if they hold a remote control and can command Him at will. This is a dangerous delusion. God is not bound to anyone’s will but His own. Even when He graciously answers prayer or uses us in His service, it is always according to His holy will, never ours.
The Puritan Thomas Watson wisely said: “God’s sovereignty is the brightest jewel in the crown of His glory. He does what He will, when He will, and how He will.”
Let us repent of every proud, man-centered thought and return to a right, biblical view of our great and sovereign God.
