This is the word from His Word that finally set me free.
When I accepted the truth that He is the King of kings and I am the queen of zip, life became more joyful, change became more manageable, pain became more bearable, hope became more certain, and love became more real.
If God is sovereign, then we are not in charge of our world after all. Huge. Relief. Even in our leadership roles, in our positions of responsibility, God is the One who guides us.
He rules. He reigns. He redeems.
Only the Almighty holds sway over the earth and all it contains. “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Revelation 4:11).
His will, not our will. Sovereignty in a thumbnail.
The word sovereign comes from ancient origins and means “over” and “above.” Someone who is “superlative in quality” and “of the most exalted kind.” Someone who has “curative powers” and “undisputed ascendancy” and “supreme power” and “absolute autonomy.”
Thank you, Merriam-Webster, for perfectly defining the One we serve.
“Sovereign Lord, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do?” (Deuteronomy 3:24)
Easy answer: No god can do what our God does. His deeds are King-size, His works are mighty, and His supremacy is assured.
For many of our online sisters, God’s sovereignty is the one quality of His they treasure most.
Debbie reminds us, “Only because He is Sovereign can He be all-wise, all-knowing, all-present, all-good.”
Marcia believes, “Nothing happens that He hasn’t approved of. I’ve learned He can be trusted with what is best—even when I can’t see it at the time.”
Christine admits, “Knowing and truly understanding His sovereignty makes His other attributes all the more endearing and precious to me.”
Dorsee says, “Because God is all that He claims to be, I never have to fear anything in my life happening outside of His knowledge or power.”
You are so wise, my sisters.
How does the truth of God’s sovereignty affect the way you do life? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below. It means so much to your sisters here and to me!
Your grateful sister, Liz,
who is fighting a sinus infection (lovely) yet resting in His sovereignty
@LizCurtisHiggs
Love your posts, they speak to me and I keep the ones that relate to me. Thank you.
So glad some are “keepers,” Nina!
Whenever I get upset over what is happening in our world today, reminding myself that our God is sovereign and is always in control helps me to deal with all the angst, anger and other bad feelings that rise up from within. I know that He has put people in power at this point in history in order to carry out His divine plan. All I have to do is walk in obedience to Him, praise and worship Him, spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and Him crucified and keep looking forward to His glorious return!
Exactly so, Linda. His Sovereignty gives us peace in the midst of the storm that surrounds us. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Liz, There is freedom in knowing that God is Sovereign.
And a gratefulness that He willingly and joyfully takes on the responsibility of guiding His kids. Prayers that you will feel better soon.
I realized it one day while I was in prayer and I relaxed immediately. I no longer have to be in charge or responsible for anything but me. At times, that is questionable too. For the first time in my life I wasn’t in charge. What a release. Praise God for that release.
Pam, I love your physical response to the spiritual truth of His sovereignty: relax! Of course, He doesn’t want us to say, “God’s got this, so I don’t need to do anything.” It’s more, “God’s got this and He will show me what do next.” Yes!
He is Sovereign because I, as a grandmother, looking at this sick, disgusting world that we’re living in, tend to get very discouraged for what my grandchildren will face in the future. However, I keep telling myself that He is still in control! & He knows what is best for them & He will only do what is best for them!
I read the post that said that nothing happens that God doesn’t approve of. Please explain how God approves of little girls and boys and others being brutally raped, tortured, or sodomized before they are murdered. I just do not understand!
You’ve raised the most difficult question of all, Freddie. Someone other than me used the word “approve” in this post, but even words like “allow” or “permit” leave us asking, “Why so much pain, Lord?”
Many fine theological minds have wrestled with the question of suffering. C.S. Lewis’s book, The Problem of Pain, http://amzn.to/1Kq4SHj tackles your question head-on and is well worth reading.
The psalmist wrote, “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” Psalm 119:50 Clearly, suffering is part of the human experience, however much we wish it were not. God’s promise is to walk us through and welcome us Home.
Gods plans are best!!!
Oh Liz, that’s me! I used to call myself the Queen of Everything and my daughter was The Princess of Quite A Lot. (Mary Engelbreit) But we’re not–we are like you–the Queen of Zip. Too many diseases, sorrows, deaths and “life” happening all around for me to handle so how wonderful to know God is sovereign and HE CAN handle it all, and then some. Ohhhh, the peace and simple joy of that fact! It’s okay. It will alllllll be all right–no matter what. Well, alrighty then! Let’s do life His way. I love my Lord Jesus Christ.
So right, Patti. “Let’s do life His way!” Love it.
Hi Liz
I love the fact that He reigns over me, my life, my all. I try to recall His
sovereignty when things seems chaotic, or I when I have watched or listened to the news. Yes indeed, He is in charge and aren’t we all grateful. Drink and drink some more, get that gunk out of you. Be well. Blessings, Elaine
Yes, SO grateful, Elaine. I assume by “drink” you’re talking about His living water: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” John 7:37 That’s the only kind of drinking that will “get the gunk out!” :>)
Him being sovereign over all means I can trust Him completely and implicitly.
Love the reminder He is over and above. Sovereignty of the Lord can give me chills just thinking about His power, His majesty. I would love to be Queen and rule my life, but I am learning more each day it is so much better just to rest in being His child. His will, His way will always be best!
Praying you get the rest you need to feel better soon♥
Because God is sovereign, I do not worry. When I hand it to Him, I mentally picture taking my hands off because they are in His capable, loving, merciful hands.
What a good visual, Lisa, to remind us Who is in charge!
I remember that God has never made a mistake and he did not start in what ever situation I fund myself in.
Well said, Jill.
Wednesday I has something happen that totally blew my patience. I had to go outside be alone and cry out to the Lord for help. Was great leaning on the Sovereignty of the Lord and seeking his will for the situation and knowing that for whatever reason this situation had something in it for me to learn. Waiting on Him to show me how to handle this is not easy but moving without his direction and strong hand is me and not His best for me. Praise God He is all knowing, compassionate, full of grace, mercy and loves each of us beyond what we deserve. He is our wonderful sovereign Lord who knows all and guides each step of our lives toward His wonderful Kingdom…if we just wait on Him. Thank you for your wonderful ministry.
Recently I saw on the news that science has discovered new species, and I think God must laugh at how long it has taken for us to think we have caught up to His Sovereignty over creation and creativity that He owns and designs.
He is Sovereign whether we see, agree or acknowledge; our part does not change Who He is, or What He possesses! It just makes our life better to bend our knee to Him and for our will to submit to Him. He Alone Is GOD!!!
Thank you Lord Jesus Christ for being the same yesterday, today and tomorrow!!!
Wise words, Diana. As I’ve said on my blog before, we do not “make Jesus Lord.” He IS Lord! Such comfort in that truth.
Hi Liz, it is so good to know that at the end of the day I can leave everything with God. We are believing for a second child, and although I am 43 years old I believe that it is still possible and have left it in His hands. It is so good to not have to stress about it, I know that if it is his will then it will happen for us. We have a beautiful, healthy two year old and either way I am so grateful for that gift from Him.
My mother gave birth to me when she was 43, so I’ll gladly stand with you, Jasmine, waiting for God to reveal His sovereign will!
I think His sovereignty is what gives me absolute peace when we go through the hard times in life…I meant to say the HARD times in life…
Such as just having my 86 year old mom fall and break her hip and shoulder a few days ago, and she’s 3 hours away… Having just arrived back home from my first (one of many to come) visit with her, I know God is sovereign, as she came through both surgeries well, and now is well taken care of by my sister who lives nearby. It is knowing that He is ‘over’ and ‘above’ it all, that gives me comfort as we abide here waiting for His return!
Thanks for this today Liz – I needed it.
Praying you will soon be over your sinus infection Liz! I and my two grandchildren have just had it here in Oregon too – so I’m thinking it’s everywhere!
Bless you as you continue to bless others!
It is SO hard when ailing loved ones live far away. Praying for God to show you how best to use those long car rides, Susan. I love to pray while traveling down the highway. (Eyes wide open, of course!)
Luv the title “Queen of Zip!” :oD
WOW….Liz, this is awesome. I’m going to print it & stick it in my Bible and/or journal for a good reminder. I’m pretty proficient at being Queen of Our Castle (!!!), but at the end of the day am often reminded I’m Queen of Zip as you so perfectly put it. ha GREAT stuff.
Hope you are feeling better. Great job for Maryhurst on Tuesday. Have a STELLAR weekend!!!
Love across town,
Elizabeth =)
One night as I was laying in bed and trying to slow down my thoughts and enter in to prayer time, I had this revelation about the Sovereignty of God. It came to me as a new understanding of how very huge is the vastness of God’s never ending grace, His mighty power, His loving and redeeming presence in my life. I just felt the immenseness of God surrounding me, and going outward from me everywhere. I realized at that moment how I had kept God in a box, in my life. What a filling freeing moment it was for me. I now can see, feel and hear God everywhere. God is truly infinite and His bigness is unfathomable.
I resounded with what you said at the beginning of your post. With God being the King of kings, hope became more certain. Sometimes due to my mental illness, it is a struggle for me to get out of the house and go to work. The hope I have come to cherish in my Sovereign Lord, gets me out the door and on my way. No matter the struggle, there will always be hope.
Sovereignty makes me thing of a king who rules and protects his subjects as they serve him. That is what I think of with God’s sovereignty. We serve Him and are therefore under His umbrella of protection. Nothing can harm or hurt us while we serve our King. We may have obstacles and problems but He’s got us covered.
I have a loud laugh, and I love to laugh. I often have to apologize for scaring people when I laugh. People will say they love my laugh, but sometimes it’s terrible to cause someone to jump because you laugh! One of the things I have to work on regularly,trying to contain my loudness.
Thank you for sharing GOD’S beautiful word of love and laugher.