Some of the most difficult times in Jewish history were the decades leading up to the fall of Jerusalem and the consequent Babylonian Captivity in 586 BC (which lasted for seventy years). Jeremiah, the prophet was right in the thick of it all: praying, suffering, writing, and trusting. These circumstances challenged the belief and changed the behavior of everyone involved. Catastrophe causes us to see God for who He actually is, instead of how we imagined Him to be. Jeremiah consistently referred to God as “Sovereign Lord.” To him, it was a designation of intimacy. (All Scripture references to follow are from Jeremiah unless otherwise noted.)
God is sovereign in His person. There is no one like Him (10:6-7). He is the Eternal King (10:10) and the Maker of all things (10:12, 16; 51:15-16, 19). He is always righteous (12:1), and He will reign forever (12:12, Lamentations 2:17).
God is sovereign in His purposes. He keeps His Covenants and promises (3:4-18) and accomplishes everything He has planned (Lamentations 2:17). Great is His faithfulness (Lamentations 3:21-26).
God is sovereign in His people. He calls and appoints each of them, therefore leaving no option for insignificance (1:5). He gives them the ability to assimilate the message of His Word (15:16; 20:8). He invites them to communicate through prayer with the confidence that nothing is beyond His power (33:3; 32:22). He enables them to endure and persevere in the most difficult of circumstances (12:5), and He brings them to a destination of peace (29:11). He is the object of their praise (9:23-24).
“A glorious throne, exalted from the beginning, is the place of our sanctuary and refuge.” (17:12)