Things We Sometimes Forget #2: God is Sovereign

from Webster's Dictionary (1828):

SOVEREIGN, a. suv'eran.
1. Supreme in power; possessing supreme dominion; as a sovereign ruler of the universe.
2. Supreme; superior to all others; chief. God is the sovereign good of all who love and obey him.
3. Supremely efficacious; superior to all others; predominant; effectual; as a sovereign remedy.
4. Supreme; pertaining to the first magistrate of a nation; as sovereign authority.

SOVEREIGN, n. suv'eran.
1. A supreme lord or ruler; one who possesses the highest authority without control. Some earthly princes, kings and emperors are sovereigns in their dominions.

"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." - Exodus 3:14 (KJV)

What does it mean to say God is sovereign? It means He rules and reigns. It means God is in control. No matter how lousy life may appear. No matter how out of control the world seems to be spinning. In good times and bad, lean times and prosperous, sorrow and joy, clarity and confusion... God is in control.

Always.

This can be one of the tougher truths to wrap our minds around. When things are good, it is easy to say, "God has surely blessed me!" Yet when trouble comes (and into every life, at one time or another, trouble comes), it isn't so easy. We must remember the very first thing James related to believers in his epistle:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James 1:2-4 (NIV)

I think the root of the problem for we humans comes in finding our joy in circumstances. Rather than allowing our lot in life define our joy (or lack thereof), we should find our joy in God Himself through Jesus Christ. God is sovereign over all! He loves us, bathes us in His goodness and pours His grace upon us. This is why Paul had the confidence to write, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (! Thess. 5:16-18, NIV).

Paul understood that God is sovereign, He is in control, and His will is going to be done. And, for those of us who belong to Him, that is far greater news than we could ever receive on this earth!!