SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD - God is free and has the right to do whatever he wants. He is not bound or limited by the dictates of his created beings. He is in complete control over everything that happens here on Earth. God's will is the final cause of all things. He is Lord of heaven and earth. He is enthroned, and his throne is a symbol of his sovereignty. God's will is supreme. The human mind cannot grasp why God allows evil and suffering; instead, we are called to have faith and trust in God's goodness and love. The result of trusting in God’s sovereignty is knowing that his good purposes will be achieved. The purposes of God are the most important reality in the Christian's life. Our new life in God's Spirit is based on his purposes for us, and sometimes that includes suffering. Difficulties in this life serve a purpose in God's sovereign plan. - The sovereignty of God means that as ruler of the Universe, God is free and has the right to do whatever he wants. He is not bound or limited by the dictates of his created beings. Further, he is in complete control over everything that happens here on Earth. God's will is the final cause of all things. Sovereignty in the Bible is often expressed in the language of kingship: God rules and reigns over the entire Universe. He cannot be opposed. He is Lord of heaven and earth. He is enthroned, and his throne is a symbol of his sovereignty. God's will is supreme.

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Sovereignty of God

What Is the Sovereignty of God?

Learn what God's sovereignty truly means in the Bible

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God is free and has the right to do whatever he wants. He is not bound or limited by the dictates of his created beings. He is in complete control over everything that happens here on Earth. God's will is the final cause of all things. He is Lord of heaven and earth. He is enthroned, and his throne is a symbol of his sovereignty. 

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God's will is supreme. The human mind cannot grasp why God allows evil and suffering; instead, we are called to have faith and trust in God's goodness and love. The result of trusting in God’s sovereignty is knowing that his good purposes will be achieved. 

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The purposes of God are the most important reality in the Christian's life. Our new life in God's Spirit is based on his purposes for us, and sometimes that includes suffering. Difficulties in this life serve a purpose in God's sovereign plan.

By Jack Zavada

 

The sovereignty of God means that as ruler of the Universe, God is free and has the right to do whatever he wants.

He is not bound or limited by the dictates of his created beings.

Further, he is in complete control over everything that happens here on Earth. God's will is the final cause of all things.

Sovereignty (Pronounced SOV ur un tee) in the Bible is often expressed in the language of kingship: God rules and reigns over the entire Universe.

He cannot be opposed.

He is Lord of heaven and earth.

He is enthroned, and his throne is a symbol of his sovereignty.

God's will is supreme.

A Stumbling Block

God's sovereignty is a stumbling block for atheists and unbelievers who demand that if God is in total control, that he eliminate all evil and suffering from the world.

The Christian's answer is that the sovereignty of God is beyond human understanding.

The human mind cannot grasp why God allows evil and suffering; instead, we are called to have faith and trust in God's goodness and love.

God's Good Purpose

The result of trusting in God’s sovereignty is knowing that his good purposes will be achieved.

Nothing can hinder God's plan; history will be worked out according to the will of God:

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”  - Romans 8:28 (NLT)

“Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.” - Ephesians 1:11
 (NLT)

The purposes of God are the most important reality in the Christian's life.

Our new life in God's Spirit is based on his purposes for us, and sometimes that includes suffering.

Difficulties in this life serve a purpose in God's sovereign plan:

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing ...God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” - James 1:2–4, 12 (NLT)

The Sovereignty of God Raises a Puzzle

A theological puzzle is also raised by the sovereignty of God.

If God truly controls everything, how can humans have free will?

It is obvious from Scripture and from everyday life that people do have free will. We make both good and bad choices.

However, the Holy Spirit prompts the human heart to choose God, a good choice.

In the examples of King David and the Apostle Paul, God also works with man's bad choices to turn lives around.

The ugly truth is that sinful human beings deserve nothing from a holy God.

We cannot manipulate God in prayer.

We cannot expect a rich, pain-free life, as touted by the prosperity gospel.

Neither can we expect to reach heaven because we are a "good person." Jesus Christ has been provided to us as the way to heaven. (John 14:6)

Part of God's sovereignty is that despite our unworthiness, he chooses to love and save us anyway.

He gives everyone the freedom to accept or reject his love.

Bible Verses About God's Sovereignty

The sovereignty of God is supported by many verses in the Bible, among them:

“I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ ... What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.” - Isaiah 46:9–11 (NIV)

“Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.” - Psalm 115:3 (NIV)

“All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?" - Daniel 4:35 (NIV)

“But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? ‘Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?”'" - Romans 9:20 (NIV)

 

Jack Zavada

Christianity Expert

Education

M.A., English Composition, Illinois State University

B.S., English Literature, Illinois State University

Introduction

Created and manages and blogs at Inspiration-For-Singles.com

Published several books about Christian lifestyle topics

Contributes to numerous self-growth and Christian-based websites

Former newspaper reporter, technical editor, and public relations director

Experience

Jack Zavada is a Christianity writer. Jack began his 45-year career as a police and government newspaper reporter and Associated Press wire editor. He later served as a technical editor at the U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL). Other positions held include being a publications editor and a communications director.

As a writer, Jack focuses his work into three genres, Christian lifestyles, self-help, and western fiction. He contributes to several Christian-focused websites including Bible-Reflections.net, SelfGrowth.com, LivingWordBaptist.net, JustMeCatholicFaith.com, and WZAKClevland.com. Jack created, manages and blogs at his website Inspiration-For-Singles.com. The site also serves as a platform for marketing his self-help eBooks. He also writes and publishes western fiction under the pen name of Calder Boone.

Education

Jack Zavada earned a Master Arts (M.A.) in English Composition and a Bachelor Science (B.S.) in English literature, both from Illinois State University.

Awards and Publications

Hope for Hurting Singles: A Christian Guide to Overcoming Life's Challenges (Pine Cone Press, 1st edition, 2017)

Outsmarting Loneliness (Pine Cone Press, 2012)

Learn Religions and Dotdash

Our mission at Learn Religions is to help you explore the practices of your own faith, understand your neighbor’s beliefs, and familiarize yourself with the world’s major religions — regardless of your own spiritual background.

Learn Religions is part of the Dotdash family.

For more than 20 years, Dotdash brands have been helping people find answers, solve problems, and get inspired. We are one of the top-20 largest content publishers on the Internet according to comScore, and reach more than 30% of the U.S. population monthly. Our brands collectively have won more than 20 industry awards in the last year alone, and recently Dotdash was named Publisher of the Year by Digiday, a leading industry publication.

https://www.learnreligions.com/what-is-gods-sovereignty-700697

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WHAT CHILD IS THIS? - William Chatterton Dix - What Child is this, who laid to rest, On Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary.

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lyrics

What Child is this, who laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
.
Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here,
The silent Word is pleading.
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
.
Nails, spear, shall pierce Him through,
The Cross be borne, for me, for you:
Hail, hail, the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
.
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh;
Come peasant, king to own Him.
The King of Kings salvation brings;
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
.
Raise, raise, the song on high,
The Virgin sings her lullaby:
Joy joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.  

(William Chatterton Dix, published ca. 1865)

http://www.oldielyrics.com/christmas/what_child_is_this.html 

Most British hymn writers in the nineteenth century were clergymen, but William C. Dix (b. Bristol, England, 1837; d. Cheddar, Somerset, England, 1898) was a notable exception. Trained in the business world, he became the manager of a marine insurance company in Glasgow, Scotland. Dix published various volumes of his hymns, such as Hymns of Love and Joy (1861) and Altar Songs: Verses on the Holy Eucharist (1867). A number of his texts were first published in Hymns Ancient and Modern (1861).

Dix, William Chatterton, son of John Dix, surgeon, of Bristol, author of the Life of Chatterton; Local Legends, &c, born at Bristol, June 14, 1837, and educated at the Grammar School of that city. Mr. Chatterton Dix's contributions to modern hymnody are numerous and of value. His fine Epiphany hymn, "As with gladness men of old,” and his plaintive ”Come unto Me, ye weary," are examples of his compositions, many of which rank high amongst modern hymns. In his Hymns of Love and Joy, 1861, Altar Songs, Verses on the Holy Eucharist, 1867; Vision of All Saints, &c, 1871; and Seekers of a City, 1878, some of his compositions were first published. The greater part, however, were contributed to Hymns Ancient & Modern; St. Raphaels Hymnbook, 1861; Lyra Eucharidica, 1863; Lyra Messianica, 1864; Lyra Mystica, 1865; The People's Hymns, 1867; The Hymnary, 1872; Church Hymns, 1871, and others. Many of his contributions are renderings in metrical form of Dr. Littledale's translation from the Greek in his Offices . . . of the Holy Eastern Church, 1863; and of the Rev. J. M. Rodwell's translation of hymns of the Abyssinian Church. These renderings of the "songs of other Churches" have not received the attention they deserve, and the sources from whence they come are practically unknown to most hymnal compilers. Mr. Dix has also written many Christmas and Easter carols, the most widely known of which is "The Manger Throne."   In addition to detached pieces in prose and verse for various magazines, he has published two devotional works, Light; and The Risen Life, 1883; and a book of instructions for children entitled The Pattern Life, 1885.

https://hymnary.org/person/Dix_WC

History of Hymns: “What   Child Is This”

William C. Dix
The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 219

What child is this who, laid to rest,
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherd’s watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary.

GREENSLEEVES, the tune for which this text was probably written, is one of the most beautiful and beloved melodies of the season.
Though not exclusively a Christmas tune, its association with this season goes back to at least 1642, where it is paired with the Waits’ carol, “The old year now away is fled.” Shakespeare refers twice to GREENSLEEVES in his play Merry Wives of Windsor, helping to date it in the 16th century.
William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898), an Anglican layman, was the son of a surgeon in Bristol, England. He spent most of his life as a businessman, working as a manager for the Maritime Insurance Company in Glasgow, Scotland. We know of his church affiliation only through his hymns that were published in Altar Songs, Verses on the Holy Eucharist, and A Vision of All Saints.
Hymnologist Albert Bailey notes that some of Dix’s hymns are “horribly sentimental,” but on the whole says, “his hymns are simple, reverent, sincere, imaginative, not above the average comprehension, and two of them at least have proved to be continuously serviceable.” In addition to “What child is this,” Dr. Bailey is referring to “As with gladness men of old,” an Epiphany hymn that does not appear in The United Methodist Hymnal.
Stanza one, influenced by the Romantic poets of his day, perhaps skirts the edges of sentimentality. Beginning with a rhetorical question, “What child is this?” the poet condenses Luke 2:8-16 into a single stanza, painting a picture of a classic Nativity scene with the Christ Child sleeping on “Mary’s lap” while angels sing “anthems sweet” and shepherds “watch are keeping.”
Stanza two makes fleeting reference to the less than ideal conditions—“mean estate”—under which the idyllic scene of the previous stanza is situated. Like stanza one, the poet begins with a rhetorical question, “Why lies he in such mean estate?” In essence, he asks why the Christ Child should be in such a humble setting “where ox and ass are feeding.” The original second half of this stanza, not found in the hymnal, provides a more complete response to this question:
Nails, spear shall pierce him through;
The cross he bore for me, for you;
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The babe, the Son of Mary!
Dix’s answer to the reason for the “mean estate” under which Christ was born lies in his future suffering on the cross. Possibly Dix knew the Waits’ New Year’s carol mentioned earlier. The second stanza of this carol written over a century earlier also alludes to the suffering of Christ:
The name day now of Christ we keep,
Who for our sins did often weep;
His hands and feet were wounded deep,
And his blessed side with a spear. . .
In the final stanza, the poet expands the circle of those attending this humble scene. Drawing from the Epiphany season and the gifts brought by the magi, we take our place at the manger, bringing metaphorical gifts of “incense, gold, and myrrh.” This is a setting that defies the conventional class structures of the time; the invitation is open to both the “peasant” and “king.” In a sentiment that is very common in hymnody, “the King of kings” will be “enthrone[d]” in “loving hearts.”

Dr. Hawn is professor of sacred music at Perkins School of Theology.

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-what-child-is-this