God is in Control

The LORD of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand, that I will break the Assyrian in my land, and on my mountains trample him underfoot; and his yoke shall depart from them, and his burden from their shoulder.” This is the purpose that is purposed concerning the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back? —Isaiah 14:24-27 

My pastor spoke words during the global pandemic that shifted my thinking in many ways. This phrase pops into my head every time I detect a threat.

I don’t know if you are like me in this way, but I’m always looking for potential danger. In watchdog fashion, my nose always wiggles, and my ears move at the slightest noise. I value safety. I seek it constantly in each step and each decision I make.

An idol? Why yes, I believe so. God promises me safety and security only in Him, but I seek to establish it in every bit of my circumstances. I’m fighting for life and safety, for comfort and protection from all hard things, to be sovereign over my own life, and to be my own Lord. Sin. We know what this is; we see it enter the world initially. Each person is tempted to be like God, and we say yes in our weak bodies and limited understanding. Knowledge of all and control of all is what we need. That is what we believe to be good.

My pastor said Covid is not a threat to your life at all. God knows your days–the beginning and the end. Covid will not change those. Whoa. What if Covid were to have taken my life? It would have been written into the story of my life–far before the words covid or pandemic were a part of our daily reality.

That’s the good news of God’s sovereignty. There is nothing outside of His control. Will he allow us to endure hard things? Indeed, He will use them to make us look more like Jesus. May we feel discomfort, unsafe, or insecure as a child of God? Most certainly, we will do so within our worldly circumstances. It’s why we hold fast to the truths and promises of God. We know our earthly life is temporary and have an eternal inheritance and life with the Lord. Can we protect ourselves from death? No. We will surely die. And it will be no surprise to the Lord. He knows those days will not be threatened or changed by circumstances or people.

Can you see how the truth of God’s sovereignty gives way to radical trust and obedience in the life of the believer? What about in your life? What are you holding on to so tightly out of fear that if you are not in control, the worst will happen? Friend, your perceived control is an illusion. And it’s hindering your relationship with the Lord.

He is actually in control. The One that is all-knowing and all-powerful is truly in control of your life. You can surrender and submit to Him. You can trust Him to direct your steps. You can rest knowing He’s never sleeping and always working. You can trust Him instead of fearing the people or circumstances in your life.

There are no threats to God. We know how this story ends. Jesus assured us that we would endure hard things in life, but there was nothing that He didn’t endure or doesn’t understand. Your life will end in God’s timing, and so will the lives of your loved ones. But for those who trust Jesus as Savior, there will be eternal life with Him after death.

God is present with you now, and one day, you will be united with Him fully. He removed the power of sin from your life upon salvation in Jesus, and one day, He will entirely remove sin’s presence. You are living with good news, hope for the future, and security in Christ. You can rest.