Bible verses about God’s control over all things

It’s not uncommon that we accept God as creator as Paul does in the first part of Acts 17:26. However, the apostle goes further to say that by the time he created mankind, he had already decided when and how long they would live, and where their living would take place.

Paul knows his audience in Rome. So to explain his stance in verse 26, he uses a line they were familiar with. He cites a Cretan poet – Epimenides who’s original address, “For in you we live and move and have our being” was to the Greek god Zeus. It’s also important to note that Paul is not talking about Christians. First of all, he is not talking to Christians (Acts 17:22-23). Second, he mentions those who are “seeking” (have not found) God and feeling their way to him in the preceding verse (Acts 17:27). So even unbelievers have life, movement, and existence through God.

Paul tells us that “all things” work for the benefit of God’s people. How can this be? “All” means all – that is, good things and bad things alike work for good. This can only happen if someone is working them this way.

All things (good and bad, small or big) come from God. All things (good and bad, small or big) happen via God’s power. All things (good and bad, small or big) are for (“to”) God.

predestined (chosen before they have the ability to choose him) but also, that this predestination is just a small piece of a larger truth – that God “works all things”.

Though the scope of this particular mention of “all things” is limited to “living things”, a broad, sweeping statement nonetheless. Paul again, and this time more specifically, makes clear his stance on God’s sovereignty.

The word, “zōopoieō” is used throughout the New Testament for spiritual or physical existence. The word here for giving life is the same word used in John 5:21, Romans 4:17 are some of those “physical” examples, where it is being contrasted with physical death (raising the dead).

Spiritual life here wouldn’t make sense anyway since we know that God does not give spiritual life to “all things”.

One last note is that this is active. Paul isn’t simply referencing the fact that God created everything at one point in time and from that everything has sprung. He is saying that God actively gives life to all things.

David finds himself to be a sorrowful sinner (Psalms 31:9-10), an outcast (Psalms 31:11-12) and surrounded by people scheming against him (Psalms 31:13). Despite all of this, he declares that his “times” are in God’s hand. What does this mean? Certainly his life, but it’s also much more than that. The Hebrew noun, “`eth” is translated in the KJV as a general “time” (as in “…an appointed time…”) 257 times, but also “seasons” 16 times, “when” 7 times, and “always” 4 times. “My times are in your hand” is certainly a big statement that captures a lot. In case you’re tempted to dismiss this prayer as mere poetry, remember that Psalm 31 was quoted in Jesus’ own last words as well as Stephen’s (Psalm 31:5). The fact that they both referenced this writing as they were being brutally murdered should mean something.

In seemingly good or seemingly bad circumstances, the author shares Paul’s belief (Romans 9:20) that questioning the almighty creator God is unreasonable. He also believes that God is “doing” what he deems appropriate during these times.

Likely written by Solomon, we see a picture of a house being built and a city being guarded. Although it is our responsibility to strive to make the right decisions and to work, ultimately it is God who is over everything. Marriages cannot be fixed unless God does it. Addiction cannot be conquered unless God does it. Fill in the blank with anything else you can imagine.

This is God speaking. He does. And when he does, it is irreversible.

This rhetorical question implies that nothing comes to pass unless God has told it to come to pass.

“Times” and “seasons” are changed by God. This is a significant statement that captures just about anything. As if this were not enough, he goes on to say that kings are lifted up and removed, and even our brain activity is granted by God.

Again, we see this message that God does what He pleases and it can never be questioned.

The apostles themselves had likely read this piece of scripture as they literally lived out this belief in the scenario recorded in Acts 1:26 (above).