the sovereignty of God

A horse named “Sovereignty” won this year’s Kentucky Derby. Such is my Reformed brain, that, as soon as I heard the name, I thought theologically.

One of the distinctive beliefs of Reformed Christians is our belief in the sovereignty of God. That means that we believe God’s rule over creation is unhindered and unrivaled. We believe that God is in absolute control of every aspect of creation and that nothing happens contrary to His will (Matt. 10:29-31).

This means there is no such thing as "luck" or "chance." Everything that happens is under the control of a personal and powerful God. Or, as I like to say, I don’t believe anything can take God by surprise. There’s never a morning where God wakes up and says: “I did not see that thing in Russell’s life coming!”

This concept raises all sorts of questions about the will of God and the problem of evil. But ultimately I think it gives great comfort as we rest in the confidence that events are never outside the control of our loving, Heavenly Father. Or, as the hymn puts it:

This is my Father's world:
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.

This is my Father's world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!

Russell Muilenburg
Pastor of First Reformed Church
Allison, IA