It may be an appropriate time now to remind ourselves of who is in control. Several months ago we looked at God's omnipotence, his power, and concluded then that he possesses all power. But how does he choose to wield his power? This question leads us to God's sovereignty, or we may say, his control.
God's absolute power implies that he has the ability to control all things. He is able, yes, more than able. God's sovereignty though is not only an expression of what he can do, but of what he is and does. He is sovereign, thus, he controls all things. All Christians have believed that God is sovereign, but all Christians have not agreed on the extent to which God uses his sovereignty. Christians have differed on the necessary implication of God's sovereignty, saying things like, "Because God is sovereign he can choose not to be sovereign over certain things." That's like saying that God can choose not to be God if he feels like it on the inside or if he's committed to something other than his own goodness and freedom. I know it's common now to think that a man can become a woman or vice versa, but isn't it even more of a stretch to think that God can become not-God if he so chooses? How can a perfect being choose to be something other than perfect?
So, what do the Scriptures tell us about God's sovereignty? They tell us that God is sovereign over creation, preservation, salvation, and evil.
Creation is the outworking of God's power, wisdom, and goodness. "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible . . . all things were created through him and for him" (Col. 1:16).
He providentially preserves that which he creates. "He is before all things and in him all things hold together" (Col. 1:17). He "upholds the universe by the word of his power" (Heb. 1:3). He "gives to all mankind life and breath and everything" and "determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place" (Acts 17:25-26). He "makes his sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust" (Matt. 5:45) and "even the hairs of your head are all numbered," (Matt. 10:30) just as "in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for [us], when as yet there was none of them" (Ps. 139:16).
He predestines and saves those whom he has chosen in his Son before the ages began. We were "predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will" (Eph. 1:11). Ultimately, "no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him," indeed, "yes, Father, for such was your gracious will" (Lk. 10:21-22). "Salvation belongs to the Lord" (Jonah 2:9).
Finally, God is sovereign over evil. Job attributes his losses to the Lord: "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21)! Importantly, "in all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong" (Job 1:22). Also, the religious leaders of Jesus' day did "whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place" (Acts 4:28), all the while being guilty for this great sin (Acts 2:23, 36; 4:10).
This brings us to the current unprecedented situation in which we find ourselves. As we self-quarantine, practice social distancing, and glory in our stash of the now priceless commodities of toilet paper and hand sanitizer, have we considered God's control when we feel and act so out of control? Calm yourselves, brothers and sisters, under our Sovereign Lord's hand. Take refuge in the King of kings and Lord of lords. There, in his presence, you will find "fullness of joy" and "pleasures forevermore" (Ps. 16:11).