Dictionary of Bible Themes: 1130 God, sovereignty of

1130 God, sovereignty of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 1000 God » 1010 God, nature and qualities of » 1015 God » 1130 God, sovereignty of

The fact that God is free and able to do all that he wills; that he reigns over all creation and that his will is the final cause of all things. This is often expressed in the language of kingship.

God is free to do all he wills

Psalm 135:6 See also Psalm 115:3; Isaiah 46:10; Daniel 4:35; Romans 9:19-21

God is able to do whatever he wills

Luke 1:37 Gabriel speaking to Mary. See also Job 42:2; Matthew 19:26; Ephesians 3:20

God cannot be successfully opposed

Job 42:2 From Job's prayer of submission and repentance. See also 1 Samuel 2:10; 2 Chronicles 20:6; Job 9:12; Ecclesiastes 7:13; Isaiah 43:13; Isaiah 45:9-10; Acts 5:39

God rules and reigns

He is King

Psalm 29:10 See also 1 Chronicles 16:31; Psalm 47:2; Isaiah 6:5; Isaiah 43:15; Jeremiah 10:7,10; Zechariah 14:9; 1 Timothy 1:17; Timothy 6:15; Revelation 15:3; Revelation 19:6

He is Lord of heaven and earth

Deuteronomy 4:39 See also Genesis 24:3; Deuteronomy 10:14; Joshua 2:11; 1 Chronicles 29:11; Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 121:2; Psalm 134:3; Luke 10:21; Acts 17:24

His throne is a symbol of his sovereignty

Exodus 17:16; Psalm 45:6; Psalm 93:2; Psalm 123:1; Isaiah 6:1 Isaiah's commission; Isaiah 66:1; Jeremiah 49:38; Lamentations 5:19; Ezekiel 1:26; Daniel 7:9 Daniel's dream; Matthew 5:34; Matthew 19:28 Jesus Christ teaches his disciples about things to come; Acts 7:49; Hebrews 1:8; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 12:2; Revelation 4:2; Revelation 20:11

God's sovereignty extends over all things

He is sovereign over creation

Revelation 4:11 See also Psalm 93:1; Isaiah 40:22; Isaiah 41:18-19

He is sovereign over human life

1 Chronicles 29:12 Part of David's prayer on the occasion of gifts being brought to the temple. See also 2 Chronicles 25:8; Luke 1:51-53; Acts 18:21; James 4:15

He is sovereign over the minutest details of life

Matthew 10:29-30 pp Luke 12:6-7

He is sovereign in electing his people

Ephesians 1:11 See also Romans 8:29; Romans 9:11,18

He is sovereign in the life and salvation of his people

1 Corinthians 1:30 See also Jeremiah 18:6; 1 Corinthians 12:11; Philippians 2:13; James 1:18

He is sovereign over the sufferings of believers

Philippians 1:29; 1 Peter 3:17

He is sovereign over world history

Proverbs 21:1 See also Exodus 9:16; Psalm 22:28; Jeremiah 18:7-10; Daniel 4:35

God is sovereign over all other gods and over demonic forces

God is supreme over all gods

Psalm 95:3 “gods” are part of the created order and subject to God's sovereignty. See also Exodus 18:11; Deuteronomy 10:17; 1 Chronicles 16:26; Psalm 96:5; Daniel 2:47; Colossians 1:16

Satan is defeated through God's sovereign purposes at work in Jesus Christ

Colossians 2:15 See also John 12:31; Romans 16:20; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Hebrews 2:14; 2 Peter 2:4; 1 John 3:8; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7-10