Divine Sovereignty

Divine sovereignty refers to the supreme authority and power of God over all creation. It is the belief that God, as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, exercises ultimate control and governance over everything that exists. This concept is foundational to understanding God's nature and His relationship with the world.

The Bible affirms God's sovereignty in numerous passages. In Isaiah 46:9-10 , God declares, "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose.’" This passage highlights God's unique ability to declare and bring about His purposes, underscoring His sovereign rule over time and history.

Psalm 115:3 states, "Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases." This verse emphasizes God's freedom and authority to act according to His will, unencumbered by any external force or limitation. Similarly, Daniel 4:35 proclaims, "All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’" This passage illustrates God's unchallenged dominion over both celestial and earthly realms.

The New Testament also affirms divine sovereignty. In Ephesians 1:11 , Paul writes, "In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will." This verse speaks to God's sovereign orchestration of events according to His divine plan and purpose.

Omniscience

Omniscience is the attribute of God that denotes His complete and perfect knowledge of all things, past, present, and future. God's omniscience is integral to His nature, affirming that nothing is hidden from His sight and that He possesses an exhaustive understanding of all creation.

Psalm 139:1-4 beautifully captures God's omniscience: "O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, O LORD." This passage reveals God's intimate knowledge of individual lives, extending to thoughts, actions, and words.

In the New Testament, 1 John 3:20 states, "If our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things." This verse affirms God's comprehensive knowledge, surpassing human understanding and self-awareness.

The omniscience of God is also evident in His foreknowledge and prophetic declarations. Isaiah 42:9 declares, "Behold, the former things have happened, and now I declare new things. Before they spring forth, I proclaim them to you." God's ability to declare future events before they occur is a testament to His all-encompassing knowledge.

In Romans 11:33 , Paul exclaims, "O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways!" This doxology reflects the awe-inspiring nature of God's omniscience, acknowledging the vastness and profundity of His understanding.

Together, divine sovereignty and omniscience underscore the majesty and authority of God, affirming His rightful place as the all-powerful and all-knowing ruler of the universe. These attributes assure believers of God's ultimate control and perfect wisdom in all circumstances.