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GOD IS IN CONTROL!

Written by Khimani A. Williams

Monday, 30 November 2009

Our earth might be on an axis, but our human experience is spiralling out of control. The pages of the daily newspapers paint a picture of hopelessness, as wars, disasters and corruption plague vulnerable mankind. On the other hand tabloids and magazines glamourize vanity, as sport superstars and people of affluence and influence tells of some sordid experience, things which never need to be seen or heard by the public. Hope is not a popular concept, hardly an expectation, as we are overloaded with information which does not provide solutions to the problems we face.

Wars have taken countless innocent lives. Rumours of wars have caused many to fear and lose heart. Natural disasters are so prevalent that it is almost natural to expect a disaster. And though money is never burnt or destroyed we are in a global economic crisis. But if you are looking for an answer, I could never define it, only to say that ‘God is in control!’

History has been a remarkable instructor for those careful enough to observe it. It tells of God’s justice, wrath, grace and love. The prophet Daniel, speaking of God, pronounced, “He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.” [Daniel 2: 21-22]. The course of history has not taken God by surprise, but He guides it as He wills. Nebuchadnezzar was the king of the great Babylonian Empire. He led many great and powerful nations into captivity, or destroyed their civilization. He attacked Jerusalem, the City of God, and captured its inhabitants and burned the city down. And reputable historical reference would agree that he was a mighty man, feared by many brave men and powerful nations. But God, in the Book of Jeremiah 27: 6, calls Nebuchadnezzar His own servant. This shows the extent of God’s power, because He rules in and is never left out of any facet of the human experience.

Now to some this fact proves an obstacle: Why would God have a hand in the ‘adverse realities’ facing many today? If God is love then He should at least show love, right? But “Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, ‘Why hast thou made me thus?’” [Romans 9: 20b]. We are all the handmade of God, and He judges us whenever we sin, although “He will not always accuse, nor will He harbour His anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” [Psalm 103: 9-10]. We have seen God’s faithfulness to Abraham when He preserves a remnant in Israel even when they are at their worst, taking onto themselves the idolatry practiced by surrounding heathens. We have seen Him humbling those who are proud, boasting before Him in their accumulated wealth and power. We have seen Him rescued those who are powerless and needy from their oppressors. And I believe that what God wants man to learn is how to fear and love Him.

Nothing in our suffering benefits God, nor is it a pleasure to Him. He warns “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” [Ezekiel 33: 11b]. Jeremiah 42 – 46 tells how God chose to use Nebuchadnezzar to destroy Egypt. He did it to prove to Israelites seeking refuge in Egypt that He wants them in their homeland, not amongst idolaters. In Babylon’s destruction of Egypt, God brought the prophecy He gave to Jeremiah to pass [Jeremiah 42 - 44], as well as punish Egypt for its pride and idolatry. But still God shows compassion to Egypt: The LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “I am about to bring punishment on Amon god of Thebes, on Pharaoh, on Egypt and her gods and her kings, and on those who rely on Pharaoh. I will hand them over to those who seek their lives, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his officers. Later, however, Egypt will be inhabited as in times past,” declares the LORD. [Jeremiah 46: 35 – 26].

So instead of using our sufferings to hate or doubt God, let us learn to love and trust that He is in control. And rather that use the bountiful blessings lavished on us to love ourselves, let us be more concerned and helpful to those who are in need. We are here to care for the earth, each other, ourselves, and above all, to serve God who rules in not just our lives, but our entire human experience.

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will He keep His anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the Heaven is high above the Earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.
Psalm 103: 8 - 14

Contributed by: Khimani Williams

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