Sovereign
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Day 1 - God is Omniscient
Most dictionaries define sovereign with words and phrases such as: superior, ruler, ultimate power, or above all others. As believers we say, “God is sovereign.” Ironically, the word sovereign is rarely found in scripture. Rather, God’s sovereignty is usually summed up in one word, Yahweh, regularly translated as Lord. So, when we talk about the sovereignty of God, we are talking about the lordship of God, we are talking about everything that makes God, God. His sovereignty is represented in His incommunicable attributes, or the attributes we can’t share with Him; a few key ones being His omniscience, His omnipotence, and His omnipresence.
Let’s start with His omniscience. The prefix “omni” means “all” and the base word “scientia” means “knowledge.” Omniscience therefore means “possessing all the knowledge” or “the state of knowing everything.” The sovereignty of God means that we serve a God who is all-knowing. How cool is that?!! Not only does He know all the knowledge, according to Scripture, He also knows all of our actions, all of our thoughts, all of our hearts (or motivations) even before we even do. He knows us more thoroughly and intimately than we know ourselves. His omniscience means He knows everything right now, it means He knows everything that ever has been, and he knows everything that ever will be. There is literally no limit to His knowledge.
So, how should God’s omniscience impact our daily lives? It should allow us to trust that He has placed us here, in this time, in all His wisdom and knowledge, for a purpose. That wherever we live, whomever we are in relationship with, however we spend our days, He knows it all and is in it all. We should rest in the comfort that He knows our sin and loves us still. It means we don’t have to be anxious about tomorrow because He knows the plans He has for us and He holds our eternity in His hands. It means we don’t have to know all the answers, know the right people, or know what to do next because all we really need to know is Him.
Lord,
I confess your omniscience is hard for me to understand. I am so limited in my knowledge, to think about serving a God who is all-knowing is both comforting and terrifying. You know my secrets. You know my ugly thoughts and impure motives. I am in awe of your grace and mercy that you show me every day. Thank you for loving me. I surrender my anxiety and worry over today, tomorrow, and the future. I trust the plans you have for me.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen
Day 2 - God is Omnipotent
Today we look at the “omni” prefix again, which we know means “all.” Another incommunicable attribute is God’s omnipotence. The base word potent means “power.” If we say “that’s a potent smell,” we mean that’s a powerful smell. When we put “omni” and “potent” together we get “all-powerful.” So not only do we serve a God that is all-knowing, we also serve a God that is all-powerful. He has all power over all things at all times and in all ways. This means all humans in all of history. This means all creatures of the sky, the land, and the sea. This includes all powers-earthly, spiritual, governmental, and even demonic. Nature itself is ruled by His omnipotent hand. He sets the boundaries for the oceans, and the times for the sun, moon, and stars. Let that sink in.
A favorite example of God’s omnipotence can be found in Daniel 4. King Nebuchadnezzer II was the longest reigning sovereign of the Babylonian empire, and arguably one of the most powerful kings in all of history. King Nebuchadnezzer had a dream that Daniel interpreted to mean that he needed to humble himself and recognize that all the power, wealth and success he had experienced was from God, not his own making. As you can guess, King Nebuchadnezzer did not do this. So the all-powerful God afflicted him with a madness that caused him to think he was an ox for 7 years. The powerful earthly king discovered what happens when you disobey the sovereign God. This mighty, earthly king’s power meant nothing compared to the omnipotence of God.
How should God’s omnipotence impact our daily lives? We should learn from King Nebuchadnezzer and be obedient. We should humbly acknowledge that His sovereignty establishes His supreme authority over everything related to life, not just religious or spiritual life. We should trust that everything is from Him, for Him, and through Him and it is His power that enables us to be obedient to His will.
Father,
Help me to humble myself in awe of your awesome power. Forgive me for the times that I was proud and didn’t give you the glory and honor that you deserve. I declare that all things are from you, Lord. You’ve got the whole world in your hands and you hold it all together. I am but a vessel to be used by you. Use me, Father.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen
Day 3 - God is Omnipresent
The third “omni” that is used to describe God’s sovereignty is omnipresent. This means God is all-present. God’s omniscience (all-knowing) and omnipotence (all-power) mean His knowledge and power are everywhere. If His knowledge and power are everywhere, so too then is His presence. We are limited in our presence. We can be in one moment at one time. We can remember the past, and we can think about the future, but we are limited to the here and now. God is not. In the devotional on eternal, we examined God as the alpha and the omega. He is the beginning and the end. Every moment is equally vivid to Him- past, present, and future, here, there, and everywhere, He experiences it all the same way we experience one moment. This is true not only with us humans, but also with His whole creation. He is present at all times with the smallest of molecules and the grandest of galaxies.
This does not mean that His presence is in the trees, the stars, animals, or any other object. God does not replicate Himself to everything He created.
In the Old Testament God was with Israel in the tabernacle and temple. His presence was in the cloud by day and the fire by night that led them in the wilderness. In the New Testament He dwells with us through His son, Jesus. At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Immanuel, or “God with us.” After Jesus died, rose and ascended into Heaven he sent the third person on the trinity, the Holy Spirit to live in us. He is all-present to all people at all times, but at the same time He is intimately present with us through the Holy Spirit.
How should God’s omnipresence impact our daily lives? We need to remember that no matter where we go, God is there. We can never lose God’s presence. There is never a time when He is not with us. There are times that we sense His presence more and it is easier to believe this truth. But there will be times, sometimes even prolonged seasons, when we don’t sense His presence and we begin to doubt that He is with us. When we don’t feel His presence, we have to remind ourselves that He is still here with us.
Father,
Help me to always remember that you are with me. I want to live by faith and not by sight. I want to trust that in the highs and the lows of life you are with me through it all. I am grateful that because of your omnipresence I never have to face anything in life alone. Help me to slow down enough to be more aware of your presence in my life. I praise you sovereign God and declare that You are omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen.
Day 4 - God’s Sovereignty Does Not Void Human Responsibility
The tension between God's sovereignty and human free will is a complex one in the Bible. While the Bible affirms God's ultimate sovereignty, it also acknowledges the free will of humans to make choices. On one hand, God is portrayed as all-powerful, omnipotent, and in control of all things. This implies that He has predetermined everything that occurs in the universe, including the choices humans make. On the other hand, humans are often depicted as having the ability to make independent choices and decisions, known as free will.
This tension arises from the apparent contradiction between God's ultimate authority and humans' capacity to choose their actions. If God is truly sovereign, does that mean humans have no real freedom to choose? But, if humans possess genuine free will, how does God's sovereignty fit into the picture?
Ultimately, the tension between God's sovereignty and human free will remains a mystery, inviting us to contemplate and learn rather than have a distinct answer. It prompts believers to wrestle with the complexities of divinity and humanness and to acknowledge that there is Truly None Like Him.
Dear God,
I come before you humbly, acknowledging your sovereignty over all things. You are the creator of the universe, and your wisdom surpasses all understanding.
Help me to grasp the depth of your sovereignty and the gift of free will you have bestowed upon me. In a world where choices abound, grant us discernment to align our will with yours. Help us to make choices that honor you and reflect your love and grace to those around us.
In moments of uncertainty, remind us that you are in control, working all things together for good according to your purpose. May we find comfort in knowing that even when our plans falter, yours remain steadfast.
Yet, in the midst of your sovereignty, you have given us the freedom to choose. May we never take this gift lightly but rather use it to glorify you in all that we do. Guide our hearts and minds as we navigate the complexities of life, always seeking your will above our own.
Thank you, Lord, for your unending love and mercy. May we walk in the assurance of your sovereignty, trusting in your perfect plan for our lives.
In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Day 5 - Sovereign in Salvation
God has the ultimate authority in who will be saved. His choice and predestination of individuals for salvation are seen as expressions of his grace and mercy, rather than being based on human merit or deeds.
Despite God's decisive role in salvation, the Bible also emphasizes human responsibility. Individuals are called to respond to God's offer of salvation through faith, repentance, and obedience to Jesus Christ. Without the ability to choose, we would be merely puppets of a dominant dictator. Giving humans the ability to choose shows us that He wants a true, authentic relationship with us. Ultimately, he wants us to love him.
While God's sovereignty ensures that salvation is ultimately his work, our decision is ultimately what secures our place and relationship with Him for all of eternity. And how amazing is that?
Dear God,
Thank you for choosing me and predestining me for adoption through Jesus Christ. Your grace astounds me, for I have done nothing to deserve it. By grace, I am saved through faith—a gift from you, not earned by works. Your love knows no bounds; while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me. Thank you for this incredible sacrifice. Though you have ultimate authority in salvation, you grant us the freedom to choose. I am grateful for this gift of choice, for it allows me to respond to your love willingly.
In Jesus' name, Amen.