As we look into the very beginning pages of inspired scripture, we are immediately given the account of Creation in which God rules over all that is created. God’s sovereignty is powerfully and clearly displayed in Genesis. Moses, the human author, wrote as he was divinely inspired by the Spirit that God does what He pleases, when He pleases, how He pleases, and as He pleases. In every part of His creation, God alone is sovereign.
What does it mean for God to be sovereign over all creation? The Westminster Confession of Faith states it this way, "God from all eternity did by the most wise and holy counsel of His own free will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass."
Is God one who, "freely and unchangeably ordains whatsoever comes to pass"?
In Genesis on the first day of creation, God spoke light into being, expelling the darkness.
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.” Genesis 1:1-3 ESV
This was a clear display of His sovereignty, as He commanded light to appear out of nothing, and it was so. God's creation of light was an act of His divine sovereignty. There could be no resistance to His will.
On the second day, God exercised His divine sovereignty by dividing the waters and creating the sky.
“And God said, "Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters." And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so.” Genesis 1:6-7 ESV
Not only did the irresistible voice of God create that which did not previously exist, but He also ordered what he had created and put everything in its place according to His will.
The third day of creation again revealed divine sovereignty as God commanded plant life to come forth.
“And God said, "Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth." And it was so.” Genesis 1:11 ESV
Reproduction was established, like producing like. Each seed producing life after its own kind, as appointed by God.
On day four, God according to His free will, apart from anyone or anything else, created the sun, moon, and stars and put them in their place according to His pleasure.
“And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth." And it was so.” Genesis 1:14-15 ESV
God was not dependent on the assistance or aid of the angels or men to make this work succeed. In fact, man didn't exist yet. By Himself and for Himself God spoke, and it was so. In this act of creating the heavens, God showed His infinite power, and that it is unable to be resisted.
On the Fifth day, God created all the animals in their amazing variety. He created them exactly and precisely as He chose, each having their own unique design and purpose.
“And God said, "Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens." So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:20-21 ESV
On the sixth day, God, having finished His creation of the animals, created man in His very own image.
“Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:26-27 ESV
From the very dust of the earth which He had created, God formed Adam, breathed into Him the breath of life, and he became a living being. Adam most definitely could not have formed himself, nor could he have caused himself to come alive. Only God could do this!
God did not create to abandon His creation. God still controls all that He made, directing everything according to His plan. Even the evil actions of men are used by God to accomplish His purpose. This is seen in the life of Joseph, as his brothers sought to harm him. Joseph declared, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today" (Genesis 50-20 ESV).
We conclude with the words of Paul in Ephesians 1:11 that “God works all things according to the counsel of his will.” Therefore, we can come with confidence before the throne of grace knowing that even our most difficult prayers can be answered, for nothing is too difficult for God. May we praise the God who, by His sovereign power, and not our own, saved us. Let us share the gospel boldly, knowing that no heart is so hard that the sovereign grace of God cannot break through.