Omniscience of God

The omniscience of God refers to His all-encompassing knowledge. God possesses complete and perfect knowledge of all things, past, present, and future. This attribute is foundational to understanding God's nature and His interaction with creation.

Scripture affirms God's omniscience in numerous passages. Psalm 147:5 declares, "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit." This verse highlights the boundless nature of God's knowledge. Similarly, 1 John 3:20 states, "For God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things." Here, the apostle John emphasizes that God's knowledge surpasses human understanding.

The omniscience of God is also evident in His awareness of human thoughts and intentions. In Psalm 139:1-4, David acknowledges, "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 illustrates God's intimate knowledge of individual lives.

God's omniscience extends to His foreknowledge of future events. Isaiah 46:9-10 proclaims, "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 demonstrates that God's knowledge encompasses all of history, including events yet to occur.

Sovereignty of God

The sovereignty of God refers to His supreme authority and power over all creation. God exercises His will and purpose without limitation or opposition. His sovereignty is a central theme throughout the Bible, affirming that He is the ultimate ruler of the universe.

The sovereignty of God is evident in His creation and sustenance of the world. Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This foundational verse establishes God's authority as the Creator. Furthermore, Colossians 1:16-17 affirms, "For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." This passage underscores God's ongoing sovereignty in maintaining the order of creation.

God's sovereignty is also manifest in His governance of human affairs. Proverbs 21:1 declares, "The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He will." This illustrates that even the decisions of earthly rulers are subject to God's sovereign will. Similarly, Daniel 4:35 states, "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. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: 'What have You done?'" This passage emphasizes God's unchallenged authority over all nations and peoples.

The sovereignty of God is also evident in His redemptive plan. Ephesians 1:11 reveals, "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 highlights that God's sovereign purpose includes the salvation of His people, orchestrated according to His divine will.

In summary, the omniscience and sovereignty of God are integral attributes that define His nature and His relationship with creation. These attributes assure believers of God's perfect knowledge and His ultimate authority over all things, providing a foundation for trust and worship.