Fewer doctrines of the Christian faith are more comforting than the sovereignty of God. It humbles you in good seasons, provides hope in hard seasons, and gives joy in all seasons. The doctrine of God’s sovereignty is a constant nourishment for the soul.
But how do we define sovereignty?
A.W. Pink defines it this way: “The sovereignty of God may be defined as the exercise of his supremacy. Being infinitely elevated above the highest creature, He is the Most High, Lord of heaven and earth. Subject to none, influenced by none, absolutely independent; God does as He pleases, only as He pleases as he pleases.”
This is true. But we must not be mere academics only. We have to apply this truth not just to our minds, but also to our hearts. If we do the former without the latter, we might know that sovereignty is sweet, but we’ll never taste its sweetness.
So where do we go?
In a beautiful sermon preached on Matthew 20:15, the Prince of Preachers himself — Charles Spurgeon — had this to say about sovereignty:
There is no attribute more comforting to His children than that of God’s sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials, they believe that Sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, that Sovereignty overrules them, and that Sovereignty will sanctify them. There is nothing for which the children ought more earnestly to contend than the doctrine of their Master over all creation — the Kingship of God over all the works of His own hands — the Throne of God and His right to sit upon that throne . . . It is God upon the throne that we love to preach. It is God upon the throne whom we trust.
The sovereignty of God is a sweet pillow that you can lay your head at night. It is a beautiful truth not only that God is in control over all, but is also working everything out — the good and the bad — for your good, and his glory. This sweet doctrine is medicine for the soul that you can take in any season of life.
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