GOD CONTINUES TO BE IN CONTROL
The biblical Word of God says: “The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19; Psa. 47:8). However, because of so many adversities and troubling things happening in the world, some people may question God’s control. But those who believe the things written in the Bible about God’s power, and who have experienced things God have done their lives, are convinced that God is still in control of everything (Romans 8:38-39).
WE MIGHT TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT SOME THINGS THAT MAY CAUSE MANY PEOPLE–BUT NOT ALL—TO DOUBT GOD’S POWER AND CONTROL.
WORLD PROBLEMS. Many people are troubled by “wars and rumors of war… famines and earthquakes,” that are spoken of in the Bible (Matthew 24:6-7). Many are concerned about wickedness that the Word of God said would happen: “There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
PERSONAL PROBLEMS. There are problems in people’s personal lives which cause some to doubt God’s control: pandemics; sicknesses, death; Loss of love-ones; loss of means of support; loss of jobs; and having to deal with other overwhelming problems.
The Lord tells those who believe and follow him, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). These people are apt to believe God because of what they have learned from the Bible and God’s help in their lives.
Yet, God can strengthen the faith of anyone who desires to trust him more, but who feels they may lack enough faith: A man who wanted Jesus to heal his son, but felt he might have insufficient faith, asked the Lord to “help my unbelief.” The Lord healed his son (Mark 9:14-27). The Word of God says if you ask anything accordance to his will he will do it (1 John 5:14).
THE BIBLE SHOWS THAT GOD CONTROLLED WORLD AND PERSONAL PROBLEMS IN THE PAST.
The Bible says, “whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Rom 15:4). The Lord God has demonstrated his power and control in the world in the past in many ways:
- The Lord God saved Noah and his family in an Ark, during a time when the whole world was wicked and disobedient to God. (Hebrews 11:7; Genesis 6:12-18). And he has extended salvation to the ungodly through the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16).
- The Lord God delivered his chosen people from a destroying plague, and bondage of Egypt (Hebrews 11:28-29; Exodus 12:12-13; Exodus 14:13-31).
- He divided the Red Sea to let the people of Israel escape from a pursuing Egyptian army Exodus 14:16-31).
- The Lord took care of all the needs and problems of Israel, a nation of people, while they traveled through a desert-wilderness to the land he promised them (Deuteronomy 29:45; Nehemiah 9:15).
- The Lord won battles for them after they entered the promised land (2 Chronicles 20:15-28).
- Believing disciples of the Lord, like Paul and Stephen, were enabled by the power of Holy Spirit to overcome many types of adversities. They overcame poverty, hunger, being cold and naked, beaten and stoned, imprisoned, forsaken by brethren, persecuted, and even overcame the fear of death. (2 Corinthians 11:23-27; Acts 7:54-60).
THE BIBLE SHOWS GOD’S POWER TO SAVE THE WORLD FROM SIN THRUGH HIS SON JESUS CHRIST.
- God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
- The divine Son, Jesus Christ, who was in the form of God, took the form of man, in order to die on a cross to atone for the sins of the world (Philippians 2:4-8; John 1:1-4; John 3:16).
- Jesus Christ demonstrated his powers over the natural and spiritual worlds: He went around doing good and healing all manner of diseases among the people; and all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him (Matthew 4:23; Acts 10:38).
- He calmed a stormy sea (Matthew 8:27-28); raised people from the dead (Luke 8:40-56); John 11:1-44).
- Jesus Christ rose from the dead three days after being crucified, demonstrating he is the promised Messianic Son of God with power to save the world (Luke 24:44-49)
- He fulfilled all written prophecies concerning God’s promised Messianic Savior, including his resurrection after being put death on a cross (Luke 24:36-49).
- Jesus Christ the Son of God declared: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
THE WORD OF GOD ASSURES US GOD IS ALWAYS IN CONTROL
The biblical Word of God shows that he has demonstrated his power and control in the past. And the Word assures us that God’s loving Son has been given all power; and “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
- Despite the troubles of the world and our personal adversities, the Word of God tells us he loves us, and with his almighty power he is able to keep in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on him rather than our problems (Isaiah 26:3).
- God may allow trials to come the way of those of us who trust him. But trials and tests are meant to strengthen our faith and make us more like Christ (1 Peter 5:10). Even when we fail, the Lord remains faithful and corrects us as our Father does his children (Hebrews 12:6-11). As our loving Father, he encourages us to repent and confess our sins; and because of the sacrificial atonement of his Son, “he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God” (Romans 8:28; 1 Peter 4:12-13).
- Believe that the Lord loves you enough to have died for you, and nothing can separate you from God. (Proverbs 3:5-6; John 10:28; Romans 8:38-30).
- Believe God is able to “present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.” (Jude 1:24). “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you” “Romans 8:11).
The Bible says: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). “For in him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
As God allows you to learn by experience in walking with him, you should walk by faith in the Word of God that has demonstrated he is in control of everything (2 Corinthians 5:7).
