The Dominion of God
S. Charnock. Psalm 103:19-22 The LORD has prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom rules over all.… Jehovah's dominion is here proclaimed as universal. I. SOME GENERAL PROPOSITIONS FOR THE CLEARING AND CONFIRMING THIS GLORIOUS FACT. 1. We must know the difference between the power of God and His authority. As God is Lord, He hath a right to enact: as He is Almighty, He hath a power to execute. His strength is the executive power belonging to His dominion. 2. All the other attributes of God refer to this perfection of dominion. His goodness fits Him for it, because He can never use His authority but for the good of the creatures. His wisdom can never be mistaken in the exercise of it; His power can accomplish the decrees that flow from His absolute authority. 3. This of dominion, as well as that of power, hath been acknowledged by all. It is stamped upon the conscience of man, and flashes in his face in every act of self-judgment. 4. This notion of sovereignty is inseparable from the notion of God (Hebrews 11:6). II. WHEREIN THE DOMINION OF GOD IS FOUNDED. 1. On the excellency of His nature. God being an incomprehensible ocean of all perfection, and possessing infinitely all those virtues that may lay a claim to dominion, hath the first foundation of it in His own nature. On this account God claims our obedience (Isaiah 46:9; Jeremiah 10:6, 7). 2. In His act of creation. He is the sovereign Lord, as He is the almighty Creator. 3. As God is the final cause, or end of all, He is Lord of all (Proverbs 16:4; Revelation 4:11). 4. The dominion of God is founded upon His preservation of things (Psalm 95:8, 4). 5. The dominion of God is strengthened by the innumerable benefits He bestows upon His creatures (Isaiah 1:2; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20). III. THE NATURE OF THIS DOMINION. 1. Independent. 2. Absolute. (1) In regard of freedom and liberty. Thus creation is a work of mere sovereignty; He created, because it was His pleasure to create. Preservation is the fruit of His sovereignty. Redemption is the fruit of His sovereignty. (2) In regard of unlimitedness by any law without Him. He is an absolute monarch, that makes laws for His subjects, but receives no rules nor laws from His subjects for the management of His government. (3) In regard of supremacy and uncontrollableness. None can implead Him, and cause Him to render a reason for His actions (Ecclesiastes 8:4). It is an absurd thing for any to dispute with God (Romans 9:20). In all the desolations He works, He asserts His own supremacy to silence men (Psalm 46:10. (4) In regard of irresistibleness. His word is a law; He commands things to stand out of nothing (2 Corinthians 4:6). 3. Yet this dominion, though it be absolute, is not tyrannical. If His throne be in the heavens, it is pure and good. This dominion is managed by the rule of wisdom, righteousness, goodness. His throne is a throne of holiness and of grace (Hebrews 4:16). 4. This sovereignty is extensive. God is King of all the earth, and rules to the ends of it. IV. WHEREIN THIS DOMINION AND SOVEREIGNTY CONSISTS, AND HOW IT IS MANIFESTED. 1. The first act of sovereignty is the making laws. This is essential to God; no creature's will can be the first to rule the creature. Hence the law is called the royal law (James 2:8; Isaiah 33:22). The Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king. 2. His sovereignty appears in a power of dispensing with His own laws. Positive laws He hath reversed; as the ceremonial law given to the Jews; the very nature of that law required a repeal, and fell of course (Ephesians 2:14). 3. His sovereignty appears in punishing the transgression of the law. 4. His dominion is manifested as a governor as well as a lawgiver.and proprietor. (1) In disposing of states and kingdoms (Psalm 75:7). (2) In raising up and ordering the spirits of men according to His pleasure (Exodus 2:3-6; Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 45:5). (3) In restraining the furious passions of men, and putting a block in their way. (4) In defeating the purposes and devices of men (Job 5:12, 14). (5) In the means and occasions of men's conversion. (6) In disposing of the lives of men.CONCLUSION. 1. How great is the contempt of this sovereignty of God. 2. How dreadful is the consideration of this doctrine to all rebels against God. 3. What matter of comfort and strong encouragement for prayer. (S. Charnock.) Parallel Verses KJV: The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. WEB: Yahweh has established his throne in the heavens. His kingdom rules over all.