And there has been a wonderful alteration in my mind, in respect to the doctrine of God's sovereignty, from that day to this; so that I scarce ever have found so much as the rising of an objection against it, in the most absolute sense, in God's shewing mercy to whom he will show mercy, and hardening whom he will. God's absolute sovereignty and justice, with respect to salvation and damnation, is what my mind seems to rest assured of, as much as of any thing that I see with my eyes, at least it is so at times. The doctrine has very often appeared exceeding pleasant, bright, and sweet. Absolute sovereignty is what I love to ascribe to God. (Jonathan Edwards, Selections [New York: Hill and Wang, 1962], pp. 58-59).
Absolute sovereignty is what I love to ascribe to God. Nothing else in all of Scripture brings me more calm assurance than knowing God is completely sovereign in all He does and wills. I sleep better at night knowing my God reigns.
The first three words of Psalm 93 tell us all we need to know in Scripture about God’s sovereignty (that’s not to say these are the only three words God gives us about this attribute, but they do sum them up quite nicely): “The LORD reigns...” The late Ernest C. Reisinger once said that sovereignty means: God can do anything He wants to, anytime He wants to do it, anywhere He wishes to do it, for any purpose which He wishes to accomplish. The psalmist says, “Our God is in the heavens, He does all that He pleases.” (Psalm 115.3, ESV) That’s sovereignty.
I can hear it now, especially from my Arminian friends: “Yes, but what about….” Stop right there. Don’t you see what you’re doing? The moment you start to say “Yes, but…” in regards to God’s sovereignty, you seek to make Him less than the God of the Bible. You seek to remove some of His glory and He’ll have none of that: “For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.” (Isaiah 48.11, ESV)
I’m convinced that failing to grasp and understand this doctrine is why so many Christians live their lives in fear and anxiety. They simply don’t believe that God reigns over all things. Oh, that more would simply “be still, and know that [He is] God” (Psalm 46.10, ESV)
Let me add one more verse that “sealed the deal” for me on this doctrine: Romans 11.36 –– “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” There isn’t anything that exists that didn’t come from God, either by His creation or by His will or purpose. All things happen “from Him.” “Through Him” means “by means of”––all things happen or come from God’s hand or decree. Finally, “to Him” means “unto Him”––all things happen in order to bring God glory. All things have their source in God’s decrees and purposes, coming from His almighty power and all things will ultimately bring Him glory because they will finally move “unto Him.” As the ancient saint Job once said, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42.2, ESV) That’s sovereignty, my dear friend; that’s absolute and complete control over all things.
The LORD reigns. Amen.
Next: why this is so sweet to me (continued).