Does God have a plan? Are the things happening around me part of some grand scheme of God’s? Or is this world spinning out of control?
Those are legitimate questions at any time, but especially today. It’s easy to feel like things are out of control. But are they?
As we continue our look at who God is, let’s remember some of the things we’ve already discussed, including God’s sovereignty. God is the Creator of all that exists, and as such, he has authority over all that exists. He is almighty, and all of creation bows to him. Nothing is out of God’s control. There is not a single moment of your life that is out of the control of your sovereign Heavenly Father.
The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; on them he has set the world. (1 Samuel 2:6-8)
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. (1 Chronicles 29:11-12)
Your Father is in control of everything that happens in your life: the good, the tragic, the things you will never understand, the things that bring you joy. You can rest in the knowledge that all of these things were either brought about by God or were allowed by God. Viruses, elections, all things are under God’s authority.
We must also remember that while God is great, he is also good. He’s not only powerful, but he’s also faithful. He’s trustworthy. He’s gracious, and he’s merciful. God is perfect wisdom, and he knows exactly what he’s doing. He’s also perfect love. At times we all have to remind ourselves of that simple yet profound truth: God is perfect love. In his complete sovereignty over all that exists, God always acts in perfect wisdom and perfect love.
In his sovereignty, God accomplishes his purpose. We call this God’s providence, the use of God’s power and authority to see that his plan is fulfilled. God says himself in Isaiah 46:10, “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.” The Psalmist wrote, “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Psalm 115:3).
The truth is that God governs all things. He governs things we think of as good and things we think of as bad. All things are under the control of both God’s sovereignty and God’s providence. In God’s sovereignty, he is molding everything into his purpose. Everything. That’s what Paul meant when he wrote these words:
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
But what about the bad things? What about the tragedies of life? What about events that bring us pain? What about those things in life that make us think, “Wow, God, that is not the decision I would have made.” Like mosquitoes. I’ve always wondered why in the world God created mosquitoes.
Our perspective of what’s “good” or “bad” is rarely God’s perspective. God doesn’t do certain things because they are “good” things to do. Things are “good” because it is God who does them. Whatever God does is good, whether we can see the good in it or not.
Even if we can’t understand how something “bad” could be part of God’s plan, we can trust that God has a reason and that he’s acting in perfect love. God always knows what’s best, and he always does what’s best. I have no idea where I read this, but someone once wrote, “His plan is better, his foresight is farther, and his love is greater.” When something happens that you don’t understand, when you can’t comprehend how it could be part of God’s plan, cling to that statement in faith and surrender yourself to God and his providence.
Go back and read the story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50. Joseph suffered for thirteen years as a slave and a prisoner. But God had a plan.
Read once again the story of Job, who suffered immense pain and loss. But God had a plan.
Or go back and read about the crucifixion of our Lord. Those who crucified Jesus thought they had won a great victory. Satan himself must have celebrated that day. The physical, emotional, and spiritual pain for Jesus was horrendous. His mother and his followers must have been in agony as they watched.
But God had a plan.
What is it in your life that’s leading you to ask God, “Why?” What has God done that you feel is unfair? What has happened around you that makes you wonder whether God is in control? What has caused you to think, “If God is in control, why would a good God allow such a bad thing to happen?”
Go ahead and ask those questions. God is okay with that. And in those times of pain, grab hold of the truth that, no matter how things feel, our God has a purpose. And he is acting in the world to accomplish that purpose. He is doing so in perfect wisdom and perfect love. Even when we can’t see it or understand it, we can rest in the knowledge that our loving Heavenly Father is in control, and he has a plan.
Charles Allen tells the story of a little girl whose father brought her to the doctor with a bad cut and the need for stitches. For whatever reason, the doctor didn’t want to use an anesthetic, so he asked the little girl if she could be still while he did the stitching. She replied, “I can — if Daddy will hold my hand.” And she remained perfectly still.
When the world feels like it’s falling apart, when your pain or loneliness or disappointment feels too much to bear, and when you wonder how God could let all of this happen and how it could possibly fit into his purpose, remember you have a Father who his holding your hand. As Rev. Allen says, “Then, no matter how dark or painful the way, we can bear the pain without flinching and, even in the midst of the pain, we find peace and victory.”
May you find peace and victory in your Father today.
This is so true. We just need to trust in God and allow Him to hold our hand and we can make it through all
Our troubled and good times.
Thank you Richard for such a wonderful message. You are a truly a Blessing to all.
Thanks my friend I needed to hear this.God has given you an awesome gift of writing.Still praying you write a book , if it’s God’s plan.Be blessed