"But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased" (Psalm 115:3). "The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all" (Psalm 103:19). He declares "the end from the beginning" (Isaiah 46:10), and "we know that all things work together for good to them that love God" (Romans 8:28).
When the news is frightening or life feels like it is spinning out of control, one truth steadies the heart: God is still on His throne. The Bible calls this His sovereignty, His rule over all things. These twelve King James passages show that the LORD reigns over nations, history, nature, and the smallest details, and that His control is a reason to rest. For His purposes in your life, see God's plan; for how to respond in faith, see trusting God.
The LORD reigns over all
1. Psalms 115:3
"But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased."
Our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. He is not limited, nervous, or surprised. What He purposes, He does.
2. Psalms 103:19
"The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all."
His throne is in the heavens, and his kingdom ruleth over all. Whatever is shaking in your world, it sits under the rule of a King who cannot be overthrown.
3. 1 Chronicles 29:11-12
"Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all."
David's prayer at the end of his life: greatness, power, glory, victory, and majesty belong to the LORD, and in His hand it is to make great and to give strength.
4. Daniel 4:35
"And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?"
These words came from Nebuchadnezzar, the most powerful king on earth, after God humbled him: none can stay his hand.
Nothing is outside His hand
5. Isaiah 46:9-10
"Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:"
I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning. God does not watch history unfold to see what happens; He knows the end, and His counsel shall stand.
6. Proverbs 21:1
"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will."
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water. Even rulers and governments are not beyond His reach.
7. Proverbs 16:33
"The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD."
The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD. What looks like chance or luck is not outside God's control.
8. Colossians 1:16-17
"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."
All things were created by Christ and for Him, and by him all things consist, that is, hold together. The universe does not run on its own; it is upheld moment by moment by the Son.
Resting in His control
9. Romans 8:28
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
God works all things together for good to them that love Him. He is actively weaving even painful things into His good purpose for His children.
10. Psalms 46:10
"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."
Be still, and know that I am God. When we cannot control the outcome, we are invited to stop striving and remember who is God.
11. Mark 4:39-41
"And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Peace, be still, and there was a great calm. The disciples asked what manner of man this is that the wind and sea obey Him. The One in your boat controls the storm.
12. Job 42:2
"I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee."
After all his suffering and questions, Job confessed: I know that thou canst do every thing. Job did not receive every answer, but he found rest in knowing God, who has no limit.
A short prayer
Sovereign Lord, Your kingdom rules over all. When my world feels out of control, help me be still and know that You are God. I give You what I cannot control, and I trust You to work all things for good. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
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Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about God being in control?
God does whatever He pleases (Psalm 115:3), His kingdom rules over all (Psalm 103:19), none can stay His hand (Daniel 4:35), and He declares the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). For His children, He works all things together for good (Romans 8:28).
What is the sovereignty of God?
God's sovereignty means He is the supreme ruler over all creation, history and events. Nothing happens outside His knowledge or beyond His power, as Colossians 1:17 says: "by him all things consist."
How is this different from God's plan?
Our God's plan page focuses on God's purposes for your life. This page focuses on His rule over everything. Both lead to trusting God with what you cannot control.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about God's plan · Bible verses about trusting God · Bible verses about worrying · Bible verses about the faithfulness of God · Bible verses about peace · Bible verses about anxiety
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