God had repeatedly warned His people to repent, or suffer consequences.

Daniel 1:1-2 (ESV)

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god.

Daniel believed in the sovereignty of God, and this truth impacted the way he lived his life.

“When the Lord is behind everything, it changes everything.” – Larry Osborne

Daniel 1:8-9, 15-21

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. 9 And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs […] 15 At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king's food. 16 So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. 17 As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. 20 And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. 21 And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.

God was sovereign over the discipline of His people, and the provision for Daniel and his friends.

“God did freely and immutably ordain whatsoever comes to pass.” – Westminster Confession

Proverbs 19:21

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

“Allow” does not equal approval.

If God is not sovereign, then God is not God.

“There are no maverick molecules.” – R.C. Sproul

Psalm 103:19

The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.

Sovereignty = the absolute, active, and continual reign of God over everything

Psalm 99:1

The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!

God self-governs His sovereignty, by His wisdom and His justice/mercy.

Romans 11:33

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

Romans 9:14

What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means!

The sovereignty of God gives us peace, confidence, and courage.

Romans 8:28

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

1) God is sovereign, so I don’t have to worry about _________________________________________.

2) God is sovereign, so I don’t have to be bitter about ___________________________________.

3) God is sovereign, so I don’t have to try to control _________________________________________.

4) God is sovereign, so I will _________________________________________.