This is the second part of a new series entitled: YHWH.

(Exodus 03:4-8a, 10-11, 13-16) When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground... I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God... "I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt... Go, for I am sending you...” But Moses protested to God, “...Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” God answered, “I will be with you..." But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel... they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?” God replied to Moses, “I am Who I Am. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you... Yahweh, the God of your ancestors... has sent me to you. This is my eternal name, my name to remember for all generations... I have been watching closely, and I see how the Egyptians are treating you.

Purpose of this series:
The purpose of this seven-part series is to remind us of God's attributes.

God is holy.
God is omnipotent.
God is omniscient.
God is omnibenevolent.
God is sovereign.
God is immutable.
God is omnipresent.

Why it matters:
The more we see God, the more we can see everything else.

Why should you care:
AW Tozer says, "What you think you about when you think of God is the most important thing about you."

YHWH. - Yahweh. - I AM.

Part Three: God is Sovereign.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes on the Sovereignty of God:

"No doctrine in the whole Word of God has more excited the hatred of mankind than the truth of the absolute soveregnty of God."- Spurgeon

"God is free. Mankind is free. God is just more free."- Sproul

No one believes that God is not in control. We simply disagree as to much control we have.

God's Word speaks to the beauty of trusting His sovereignty:

(Isaiah 8:28-39) 28 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. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What does it mean to be Sovereign?

God's sovereignty is His absolute authority, perfect wisdom, and unlimited power to rule over all creation. He reigns over every person, nation, event, and circumstance, accomplishing His purposes according to His perfect will. Nothing happens outside of His knowledge or beyond His control, and nothing can ultimately prevent Him from fulfilling His plans. Because God is sovereign, His people can trust that He is always working for His glory and the good of those who love Him. The bottom line: God is in Control.

Here are several verses that discuss the "God is in Control" Nature of God:

(Isaiah 46:9–10) God declares that there is no one like Him. He knows the end from the beginning, and His purposes will stand because He accomplishes everything He plans.

(Daniel 4:34–35) King Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges that God's kingdom is eternal and that no one can stop His hand or question what He does.

(Ephesians 1:11) God works out everything according to His own plan and purpose.

(Psalms 103:19) The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over everything.

(Romans 8:28) God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

(Proverbs 19:21) People make many plans, but the Lord's purpose ultimately prevails.

(Job 42:2) Job confesses that God can do anything and that no purpose of His can be thwarted.

(Lamentations 3:37–38) Nothing happens unless the Lord allows it; both prosperity and adversity fall under His sovereign rule.

(Matthew 10:29–31) Not even a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the Father's knowledge, and He knows every hair on our heads.

(Colossians 1:16–17) Christ created all things, holds all things together, and sustains the entire universe.

(Acts 17:24–28) God is the Creator and Sustainer of life, determining the times and places of nations so that people might seek Him.

(Revelation 19:6) Heaven celebrates because the Lord God Almighty reigns.

Three foundational passages for teaching God's sovereignty

If you only have time to teach three passages, these provide a strong biblical foundation:

Isaiah 46:9–10 — God's sovereign purpose cannot fail.
Daniel 4:34–35 — God's sovereign rule cannot be resisted.
Ephesians 1:11 — God's sovereign plan includes every aspect of His redemptive work.

Together, these passages demonstrate that God's sovereignty means He reigns over all things, accomplishes all His purposes, and nothing can ultimately frustrate His will.

God's Word teaches us the value of remembering God's Sovereignty because...

(Verse 28-30) He has a plan.

Paul is encouraging the people of God that, though we go through difficult times, God has not had to reorder His plan. He knows what is going on and everything is right on schedule.

Verse 28- This verse is in line with one of the most popular verses in the Bible. It says that not all things that happen in life are good. However, God can make them good. The often overlooked truth is that this is not for everyone. It is for those who love God.
Verse 29-30- Paul reveals the 5-step process of God's plan.
- Knew people in advance- God purposed for them to be created.
- He chose them- He gave them His mercy.
- He called them- He awakened them to that mercy.
- He gave them right standing- He forgave them.
- He gave them His glory- He made them a new creation.

(Verse 31-34) He is for us.

Paul gives the people of God the greatest hope possible. He tells them that the Almighty God is for us. We are on His side, and He is out for our good.

Verse 31- Rhetorical question. Paul is not asking because he does not know the answer. He is saying no one can stand against us because God is in control.
Verse 32- "He did not spare His Son."- This does not indicate that the Son was less than the Father. This means that God the Father's plan of redemption involved the sacrifice of the Son. The Son willingly gave His life for our sins and rose again. It ends in a new creation.
Verse 33- Later, the devil is called the accuser of the brethren in the book of Revelation.
Verse 34- "Pleading for us."- The Bible says God makes intercession for us. This is because He is the "Great High Priest" and symbolizes His taking our place. It also speaks to the fact He understands our weaknesses because He walked among us.

(Verse 35-39) He will never let us go.

One of the most beautiful realities of God's love is that He holds onto us. If it were just us holding onto Him, we would all let go at some point. Life is just too hard. However, the most wonderful news is that the Lord is hanging on to us.

Verse 35-39- Paul creates a rhetorical flourish by saying that nothing in all creation can overpower the Creator. God is holding on to us. Therefore, we cannot be separated from His love.

(Isaiah 46:8-10) Do not forget this! Keep it in mind!... Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me… Everything I plan WILL COME TO PASS!”