Does your life seem out of control and you’re wondering why circumstances are what they are?
We’re probably all feeling that life is out of control in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus. We’re dealing with school closings, churches going online for services, events cancelled, and no toilet paper in stores (as well as canned goods and meats and pasta). The attribute of God that most comforts me during this time of uncertainty is His sovereignty. He is in control, no matter how bad things seem. As I ponder God’s sovereignty, I am reminded of three truths:
1. Nothing touches me that God hasn’t allowed.
Everything that happens to me and around me is under God’s control. Nothing can touch my life that hasn’t gone through the hands of God first. Nothing slips by Him unnoticed. Nothing happens by chance. He has allowed it.
God allowed difficult things in Job’s life, but Satan couldn’t have touched Job without God’s permission. And God’s purpose in that was for Job to know Him deeper.
2. God is working in all situations for good.
Everything that happens to us and around us is under God’s sovereignty, and He is working all things together for good, as stated in Romans 8:28 – even the bad things. He has a purpose for everything that happens, even though we don’t understand why.
Joseph went through some harsh, unfair circumstances. But God had a purpose in all that Joseph went through – a purpose for good.
3. God is in control. Rest in it.
Psalm 46 is a song of God’s sovereignty.
Verses 1-3 remind us of God’s comfort when life seems out of control. We don’t need to fear because God has everything under control.
1God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; 3Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling
Verses 4-7 remind us of God’s presence with us in the midst of all things, good and bad. He hasn’t left us in the midst of the hard times to fend for ourselves.
4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. 5God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted. 7The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
Verses 8-11 remind us of God’s sovereignty. The psalmist encourages God’s people to look at and ponder what God has done and will do.
8Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has wrought desolations in the earth. 9He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. 10“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
“Cease striving and know that I am God” (v. 10). The literal translation for verse 10 is, “Let go! Relax.” God is saying, I am in control! Stop stressing out about what’s going on or what might happen. Let go, relax. Know that I am God, the Sovereign King who has everything under control. Rest in my sovereignty.
During these days ahead, we can choose to rest in God’s sovereignty or resist it. Resting in His sovereignty gives peace and comfort. Resisting it causes stress, anxiety, and fear.
Let’s rest in His sovereignty, in the good times and hard times. He is in control.
What passages are especially comforting to you during these days? Please share so we can encourage one another during this time.
Thanks Crickett for these eternal reminders.
Marilyn, I needed to remind myself of these truths today, so I though maybe they’d encourage others, too. Thanks for sharing.