The Assurance of God’s Control In The Affairs Of Men

This past Wednesday evening I combined my class with the one that our Minister Phil Barnes normally teaches for a period of reflection and spiritual re-focusing. The purpose was not to rehash the election; no one needed more of that. We needed a time of healing and reassurance. This election like no other I have experienced was a mini-Civil War. What is even sadder is that that spirit spilled over into the Church. While I didn’t see this spirit so much at Madison, I knew it was happening in the Blog world and through social networking sites. Brother attacking brother, harsh words and in some cases an unloving spirit emerged.

 

Knowing tensions were high I though it might be good to just spend time talking about what we were feeling and then look at the scriptures that speak of God’s Sovereign Control in the affairs of men. As we began I ask folks to give me one word that described how they were feeling. Words like, fearful, anxious, frustrated began to come forth, just to mention a few. It was obvious that we were on target.

 

In times of uncertainty we need the reassurance from our Father that it is going to be alright. I remember the times when I was fearful as a child, that is was the knowledge that my earth Father had always been there for us that gave me assurance that everything was going to be ok. How much more do we need that same assurance from out Abba Father . The assurance that comes is not necessarily the removal of the challenge, obstacle or the event that has caused the concern. It is the knowledge that we are not alone and that what is happening has not some how escaped His knowledge. The Christians in New Testament times were not taken out of harms way, they were given the assurance that they would not go through the challenge alone.

 

And so regardless of whether you are elated or anxious about how the recent election turned out, we must accept the profound truth expressed by King Nebuchadnezzar after he returned to his senses and from a period of time living like an animal because he did not give honor and glory to the God of Heaven.

 

At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” Daniel 4:34-35

 

Nor should we ever forget the powerful truth expressed by Jesus to Pilot in John 19:11, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above”.

God Is In Control

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I recently began a new class that I entitled, “The Fullness Of Time Had Come” subtitled, “A study of New Testament History and The World Into Which Jesus Came” Whew… I know that is a mouth full, but it was longer (-: (I have a support blog for this class HERE)

It has been such a blessing to watch the hand of God orchestrate the rise and fall of Kings and their Empires to prepare the world to be just the right world into which His Son would be born.

One thing has been made clear to me once again and that is God will use all men/women, regardless of their belief in or disbelief in Him, to accomplish His purposes. Man with his over inflated ego and sinful nature cries fowl. Charges of prejudice, selfishness and unfair are flung toward heaven. “Where is man’s free will”, they ask? Yet with calm resolve He continues to bring forth the fulfillment of His Devine purposes on the earth.

A second thing has been made clear to me once again and that is that God continues to use men/women, regardless of their belief in or disbelief in Him, to accomplish His purposes. I along with many other have lamented the lack of great choices in the upcoming presidential elections. “Where is the next Ronald Reagan”, when you need him? And yet with his continued calm resolve He continues to bring forth the fulfillment of His Devine purposes on the earth.

Through scripture he shows us His working in the hearts and wills of men. Through faith we know He continues to do so. It is often quoted, and still so very true, I may not know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.

“remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,’11 calling a bird of prey from the east,
the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;
I have purposed, and I will do it.” Isa. 44:9-11