The Sovereignty of God

Once a human being accepts Yeshua as their Savior, they are often quick to learn about God’s Love, Mercy and Grace. Yet as they mature in their faith, they begin to come to grips with the monumental and vast truth concerning the sovereignty of God in their own life. The book of Isaiah speaks much about this subject. Isaiah 29:16 states,

"You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, He did not make me? Can the pot say of the potter, He knows nothing?"

Isaiah through the Spirit states that the Jews at the time were heading the wrong direction at a neck-breaking speed. The Lord said that they only honor Him with their lips but totally disregard Him in their hearts (v.13).

Yet before we look at the text, let us begin by stating that God is Sovereign, meaning that He has full control over our lives, both past, present and future. It also entails that God has complete dominion over the universe and nothing that has happened or that ever will comes to fruition without His knowledge and approval. With that said, let us look intently into this verse and apply it to our lives. The first thing He points out is the fact that the potter is not like the clay. This is an essential key in understanding God’s Sovereignty. God’s actions, intentions and desires are vastly different than ours. We can not attempt to understand God’s nature by equating it with ours. Often when trying to analyze our situation, we tend to see things in our own, human perspective rather than seeing it through God’s perspective. Thus the key in understanding God’s sovereignty is found in living by the Spirit and having the mind of the Messiah.

Moreover, the Lord continues by saying, "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, He did not make me?" Again, God is rebuking the people of Israel for their unbelief. As He is doing so, God emphasizes His sovereignty through creation. The fact that He is the creator signifies that His ways are above ours and that we are to be obedient to His dominion.

For us believers, this entails that God is in supreme command of any situation in our life, whether it be sickness or financial difficulty. Secondly, as creator, He also is the sustainer of life and therefore is more than able to sustain you and keep you through every trial and test. It is crucial for believers to understand that God’s will cannot be changed, because He is sovereign and if you live and abide in His will, you will have perfect peace in all situations.

Lastly, the Lord says, "Can the pot say of the potter, He knows nothing?" Not only is God all powerful, but He is all knowing. This means that His knowledge is from everlasting to everlasting and is not bound by the framework of time found in our universe. Because God is all knowing, we as believers must find comfort in His will even if it does not make sense to our minds. Our peace and joy should rest in the sovereignty of God. Not only is He our Father, but He knows exactly what is best for us in the present and in the future. Friends, there is no better security in life than in the hands of a Sovereign God, who loves us enough to give His Son for us and to bestow upon us His Spirit which guides us in all truth.

I want to encourage you to trust in the Lord and in the power of His might. The sovereignty of God is a subject notable of a life time of study. Yet one important truth must be retained, which is that God is seated upon His throne and is in perfect control over your life. Once we grasp this, I know that the peace of God will rule in your hearts until the Lord returns for His own.

By: Messianic Rabbi Gennady Livshits