God is the absolute and sole ruler in the universe. True sovereignty requires that one have the total freedom, power, knowledge, wisdom, and determination to carry out a predetermined course of action. God possesses all these in infinite measure, and he is thus sovereign. There are five essential elements involved in sovereignty:

The sovereign one cannot be controlled, coerced, or compromised by any kind of outside influence.

He must possess sufficient strength to achieve his goal.

He must have at his disposal all the relevant facts involved.

He must be able to rightly apply all those facts.

He must have the needed resolve and will to accomplish his goal. God, of course, possesses all five in infinite abundance!

Charles Ryrie affirms God’s supreme authority: [The word sovereign] speaks first of position (God is the chief Being in the universe), then of power (God is supreme in power in the universe). How He exercises that power is revealed in the Scriptures. . . . Ultimately God is in complete control of all things, though He may choose to let certain events happen according to natural laws which He has ordained. (Basic Theology, p. 43)