Colossians 1:15-17 – “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

Acts 17:24-28 – “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for

“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;”

Often times we wonder how God can “allow” bad things to happen.  Certainly it was a struggle for many after 9/11 to understand how God can be good, and still allow that event to take place.  Many people have tried to “get God off the hook” by claiming He didn’t know it was going to happen, or to say that he was “held back” because of man’s sinfulness.  That is ridiculous, we must fight against that unbiblical view of God.  Let me say this – if God cannot see a plane heading towards a building and with just a teenie flick of his little finger, move it off to the side – He’s not God.  No, while we are a separate creation of God, there is nowhere we can go to depart from His presence and power, there is nothing that comes to be except by His will.

Psalm 139:7-10 – “Where shall I go from your Spirit?  Or where shall I flee from your presence?  If I ascend to heaven, you are there!  If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!  If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.”

Proverbs 16:9 – “The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.”

Knowing this then, it is not for us to understand God’s purposes in all things, only to know that He is good, and always with us and for us.

Isaiah 55:8-9 – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

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.”

When life is hard; when we encounter trials and suffering, how will our heart have peace if we believe that God is “surprised” by our suffering?  How can we go to sleep at night if we cannot rest in knowing that despite our inability to see it in our small view of things, our circumstances are being worked for our good – strengthening our faith, and God’s glory?  The very power of God we most need in those times would be robbed from us, if we do not see that He is sovereign over all things.

My encouragement today, realizing that each of us have struggles daily, is to know that God is in control of all things.  Know that God is good and loves you enough to bear the ultimate suffering for you on the cross.  With that in mind, boldly approach God with your circumstances and trials.  Instead of concerning yourself about how things are going to turn out, press everything that is burdening you into God, trusting that just as His work on the cross has given you a righteousness that is not your own, His continued work in your life will produce fruit that you may not yet be able to see.

1 Peter 5:6-7 – “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Grace and Peace,
Adam