Several times in God’ Word the word “sovereign” is used when describing God.  What does that word actually mean to us?  I looked it up because I was curious about the depth of the word’s meaning in relationship to God’s authority.  John Frame explains it well, “The term sovereignty is rarely found in recent translations of Scripture, but it represents an important biblical concept. A sovereign is a ruler, a king, a lord, and Scripture often refers to God as the one who rules over all. His most common proper name, Yahweh (see Ex. 3:14) is regularly translated Lord in the English Bible. And Lord, in turn, is found there over 7,000 times as a name of God and specifically as a name of Jesus Christ. So, to discuss the sovereignty of God is to discuss the lordship of God—that is, to discuss the Godness of God, the qualities that make him to be God. The major components of the biblical concept of divine sovereignty or lordship are God’s control, authority, and presence.”

Simply said, God created all, knows all and is in all.  God’s intentions, will and purpose are fulfilled because He is sovereign.  Nothing can prevent God from accomplishing His purpose. If God wills it, God will accomplish it.  He doesn’t really need us to do His work, but He calls us to His work at times to teach us.  (Read the gospels and see how Jesus invites his disciples into His work!)  As Sovereign Lord, He calls us to be His people first.  His presence is always with his committed, faithful people who love Him with all their hearts, minds and souls. He does in us what we cannot do for ourselves.  He forgives, saves and redeems us for eternity!

John Frame explains, “When God takes us to be his people, he fights our battles, blesses us, loves us, and sometimes (as a loving Father should) gives us special punishments for our sins (Amos 3:2). He summarizes all this by saying that he is with us. He places his name upon us (Num. 6:27) so that he dwells with us and we with him. In the Old Testament, he fulfills his presence with Israel in the tabernacle and the temple. In the New Testament, he dwells with us particularly in Jesus, “God with us,” Immanuel (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23). He “tabernacles” with us (John 1:14). And after his ascension, he sends the Holy Spirit to dwell in us as his temple (1 Cor. 3:16).”

“God’s sovereign lordship is deeply personal. As Lord, God not only controls everything (efficaciously, universally), but also utters commands, words of life, that graciously govern the ongoing life of his creatures. And as Lord he has made a sovereign commitment to be “with” those who are his. Indeed, God’s sovereignty is a broad concept, including all that God is and all that he does, even embracing his love.” (Frame)

HE is God and we are not.  God is the only one to be celebrated, worshiped and praised, no one or anything else on earth, only God!  We celebrate this Truth in our worship each day as we live Truth.  What is Truth?  Jesus!  Jesus died and rose again so that we can freely come to our Sovereign God and live with Him for eternity!  Why trust anyone else but the One and Only who is present with us, knows us better than we know ourselves, loves us, protects and provides for us and fights our battles with evil?

THIS is the reason to worship God with all that is in us!

Everything that God’s people do in serving and glorifying the Lord must flow out of worship, for without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). The most important activity of the local church is the worship of God, for this is the activity we will continue in heaven for all eternity. This psalm is a primer on worship and gives us the basic instructions we need.

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 149, The Message

^1-4 Hallelujah!
Sing to God a brand-new song,
    praise him in the company of all who love him.
Let all Israel celebrate their Sovereign Creator,
    Zion’s children exult in their King.
Let them praise his name in dance;
    strike up the band and make great music!
And why? Because God delights in his people,
    adorns plain folk with salvation garlands!

^5-9 Let true lovers break out in praise,
    sing out from wherever they’re sitting,
Shout the high praises of God,
    brandish their swords in the wild sword-dance—
A portent of vengeance on the God-defying nations,
    a signal that punishment’s coming,
Their kings chained and hauled off to jail,
    their leaders behind bars for good,
The judgment on them carried out to the letter
    —and all who love God in the seat of honor!
Hallelujah!

TRUTH:  All who love God will live with Him forever all because of Jesus Christ, His Son.

Proverb 16:1-9, The Message

Mortals make elaborate plans,
    but God has the last word.

² Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good;
    God probes for what is good.

³ Put God in charge of your work,
    then what you’ve planned will take place.

⁴ God made everything with a place and purpose;
    even the wicked are included—but for judgment.

⁵ God can’t stomach arrogance or pretense;
    believe me, he’ll put those braggarts in their place.

⁶ Guilt is banished through love and truth;
    Fear-of-God deflects evil.

⁷ When God approves of your life,
    even your enemies will end up shaking your hand.

⁸ Far better to be right and poor
    than to be wrong and rich.

⁹ We plan the way we want to live,
    but only God makes us able to live it.

WISDOM: We plan but God decides.  God’s will is accomplished because God is Sovereign.  That’s why it is important to ask what God wants, when He wants it done and then do what He says.

Abba, Father in Heaven,

I celebrate your sovereignty this morning because what you have taught me through the reading of Your Word and by the prompting of Your Holy Spirit.  You take me deeper still when I yield to your teaching.  Thank you for guiding, correcting my course, leading, teaching, strengthening with your wisdom, insight and understanding.  I want to know you more and understand your will and purpose.  I worship You above all.

In Jesus Name, Amen