“But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.”
(Psalm 115:3)
Suppose you’re an artist who paints a masterpiece. As the creator, you value your painting. You go to great measures to preserve your painting. And as the creator and owner, you alone have the right to decide what you do with your painting.
Though inadequate in scope, this image gives us some insight into the concept of God as governor of His universe. “O Lord, to You, most excellent and most good, You are the Architect and Governor of the universe, and thanks [is] due to You, our God.”[1]
God is the source of all things (John 1:3). Not only did He create everything that exists by the mere power of His word, He upholds it all “by the word of His power” as well (Heb. 1:3). In other words, He intricately and infinitely preserves every aspect, every creature, every atom of His creation.
And as the Creator and rightful Owner of all things, it follows that He also rightfully governs all things. Government assumes the idea of design and control. It involves a purpose to be attained as well as the means for its attainment. And that purpose is that God be glorified as He has decreed.
In order to accomplish His ends, God must control the sequence of all events—from those most obvious to those not even observable—to guarantee that His purposes are accomplished. Scripture states that it is the all-powerful and all-wise work of God that determines all things, not by chance, but in complete and direct alignment with His sovereign will (Prov. 19:21, Isa. 45:7).
God governs nature: He “makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt. 5:45). “Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps” (Ps. 135:6).
God governs nations: “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Prov. 21:1). “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings” (Acts 17:26).
God governs individuals: Every man’s birth, life, and death are ordered by God. 1 Samuel 2:6-7 says, “The Lord kills and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and rich; He brings low, He also exalts.” Proverbs 16:9 is very specific about the actual path a man takes in his life, “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”
God governs sinful acts: “The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil” (Prov. 16:4). Evil can only occur by His permission and in execution of His purposes. For instance, God hardened the heart of Pharaoh (Ex. 7:13) as part of His overall plan to deliver Israel from the bondage of Egypt.
God governs His own: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). Because God is Governor of His universe in every respect, believers can rest assured that no matter what comes our way, we know that it had to come through Him first!
Contemplations:
- The Sovereign Hand of God. The Lord governs all things with wisdom and purpose. He does what He pleases, and no one can thwart His will. Nothing occurs by accident; every event, whether great or small, comes through His hands. When I consider this, do I trust in His perfect rule over my life? Do I rest in the knowledge that He is working all things according to His plan?
- God’s Rule Over Nations. The world is in constant upheaval—nations rise and fall, rulers come and go, and wars are fought without ceasing. Yet Scripture declares that God directs the hearts of kings like streams of water. He appoints leaders, determines boundaries, and governs history according to His will. He is sovereign over world events, so I need not fear or worry as if He is not in control.
- God’s Governing of My Path. Every step I take is directed by the Lord. My days, my circumstances, my trials—all are under His divine appointment. I make plans, but the Lord establishes my way. How often do I surrender my own desires to His greater wisdom? Do I truly believe that His ways are higher than mine?
- God’s Purpose in Affliction. God uses trials to refine His people. He governed the sufferings of Job for his ultimate good. He permitted Joseph to endure slavery and imprisonment so that He might save many. He allowed Paul’s thorn in the flesh to keep him humble. When I face suffering, help me see it as part of Your sovereign plan, trusting that You are working even through my hardship.
Prayer:
O Lord, the great Governor of all creation, You sit enthroned in the heavens and You do whatever pleases You (Ps. 115:3). Your rule is eternal, and Your wisdom is beyond all measure. You alone determine the course of nations, the rise and fall of rulers, the movements of the stars, and the steps of every man. Nothing is outside of Your sovereign control, and no power can resist Your decree. Who am I, Lord, that You should care for me? Who am I, that my days are numbered by Your will and my path is established by Your hand?
O righteous and all-wise King, I confess that I often resist Your providence. I struggle to trust when circumstances seem uncertain, when trials press in, and when my plans do not unfold as I desire. How foolish I am to question Your ways, when You alone are the God who declares the end from the beginning! Forgive my restless heart, my anxious thoughts, and my attempts to take control of what belongs only to You. Forgive me when I forget that every trial, every sorrow, every delay is ordained by Your perfect wisdom for my good.
Thank You, Lord, that You do not rule as a distant observer but as a faithful and loving Father. You have ordered all things for the good of Your people and the glory of Your name. You govern the affairs of nations, yet You also number the hairs on my head. You ordain the flight of the sparrow, yet You also uphold my steps. Nothing befalls me apart from Your will, and in that, I take great comfort.
O Sovereign Lord, teach me to rest in Your governance. Strengthen my faith when I am tempted to doubt. Grant me peace when I cannot see the path ahead. Keep me from the arrogance of thinking I know better than You. When I face uncertainty, remind me that You have already decreed my days and appointed my way. When trials arise, let me remember that they are fashioned by Your hand for my refinement. When I see the world in turmoil, let me stand firm in the knowledge that You reign over all.
Lord, I submit to Your perfect rule. Govern my heart, my mind, my affections, and my will. Direct my steps in righteousness. Let me not fear what man can do, for You alone are the ruler of heaven and earth. Let me not resist Your providence, but rather embrace it with trust and obedience. And in all things, let me glorify You, the great King and Governor of all. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer, I pray. Amen.
Further References for Psalm 115:3
Ps. 135:6; Dan. 4:35; Matt. 6:9; Neh. 1:4; Job 42:2; Isa. 43:13.
[1] Augustine of Hippo, “The Confessions of St. Augustin,” in The Confessions and Letters of St. Augustin with a Sketch of His Life and Work, ed. Philip Schaff, trans. J. G. Pilkington, vol. 1, A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, First Series (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, 1886), 54.
