Sovereign God

"The LORD is King for ever and ever." (Psalm 10: 16 KJV)

"For the kingdom is the LORD's: and he is the governor among the nations." (Psalm 22: 28 KJV)

"Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah." (Psalm 24: 10 KJV)

"The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all." (Psalm 103: 19 KJV)

"Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre." (Psalm 45: 6 KJV)

"Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations." (Psalm 145: 13 KJV)

"Sovereign LORD" is a frequent title of God in the Old Testament (most commonly in the NIV translation). God is King and Sovereign in the highest sense, being King of kings and Lord of lords. Lord God rules and he reigns; he governs, manages, and controls all things, for there is no limit nor end to his realm, nor to his dominion.

God is a dictator and tyrant, yet not in an evil sense, but only in that he holds absolute power and sway over all things. He is not cruel, as are all human tyrants and dictators, as have been most earthly kings and monarchs. Rather, he is "good to all."

In the bible, and in the history of the world, kings have had absolute power in their realms, exercising great sovereignty; However, such have not been generally good, but evil, and their reigning has not mimicked nor resembled the sovereignty and power exercised by him who is the King over all, and righteous, just, and good in all his doings.

"For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth." (Psalm 74: 12 KJV)

"Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob." (Psalm 44: 4 KJV)

"For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us." (Isaiah 33: 22 KJV)

"It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword." (Psalm 144: 10 KJV)

"Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death." (Psalm 68: 20 NIV)

"O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help. I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes? I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath." (Hosea 13: 9-11 KJV)

The above verses show that salvation from sin and death and the coming to have eternal life and immortality is connected with the sovereignty of God, with his act as a King, as one with the authority and right to decree salvation or condemnation to all.

"All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom." (Psalm 145: 10-12 KJV)

"...Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." (Revelation 19: 6 KJV)

The saved ones of earth recognize that their salvation is solely due to the sovereign eternal decree of God, that it is that which is graciously bestowed.

"The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame." (Proverbs 14: 35 KJV)

"A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment." (Proverbs 16: 10 KJV)

"It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it." (Proverbs 16: 12 KJV)

"The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass." (Proverbs 19: 12 KJV)

Oh that men would recognize the fact that God is their Sovereign Lord! Oh that they would seek his favor as they do earthly rulers! Oh that they would fear him as they fear earthly monarchs!

"But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased." (Psalm 15: 3 KJV)

"For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places." (Psalm 135: 5, 6 KJV)

"Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it." (Isaiah 46: 9-11 KJV)

It is part and parcel of sovereignty to have complete freedom to will and to do whatever one desires. No created being has such liberty of will and work. Lord God, because he is absolutely sovereign, never fails, never is disappointed, never is frustrated, does not experience displeasure in the sense that his purposes and desires fail of being accomplished or fail of being satisfied or being enjoyed.

"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will." (Ephesians 1: 11 KJV)

God always fulfills his sovereign will. Though men may think that it appears that God is not in control, or not fulfilling his eternal plans, yet those who have the gift of faith and understanding of holy scripture, can see how all things are "going according to plan."

"Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (I Timothy 1: 17 KJV)

"That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen." (I Timothy 6: 14-16 KJV)

"...Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints." (Revelation 15: 3 KJV)

Lord God is Sovereign, King, and Lord over all, but especially to those who believe him and honor his Son. He is so whether men realize it, like it, or own it.

"And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." (Revelation 19: 16 KJV)

Friends, God the Father, and Christ his Son, is your Sovereign, whether you recognize it or not. Will you seek the favor of your King, or perish before his presence when you are summoned to appear before his throne?