Who Is In Control?
There is no doubt that today, January 20th is an extraordinary day as the first black man takes the oath of office as the President of the United States. For many of us who didn’t vote for President Obama, today may be a bit of a bitter pill and for some worse. With his pro-abortion position, his ambiguity over homosexuality, black liberation theology, his apparent lack of understanding concerning militant Islam and terrorism, and his socialist world view, etc., there is plenty to be concerned about. But thankfully we serve a God who is not only in control of the affairs of men, but it is He, who ultimately appoints rulers (Dan 9:23; Rom 13:1), and uses the affairs of men in His continuing redemptive plan, of which we are as believers are to be engaged in. When we take a long look at the nation of Israel and God’s dealing with His people there can no doubt as to this fact. As we personalize our times, there is no better to look at than Job.
Job 24:1 (NKJV) 1 “Since times are not hidden from the Almighty, Why do those who know Him see not His days?
Job 33:13 (NKJV) 13 Why do you contend with Him? For He does not give an accounting of any of His words.
As I reflect upon the words found here in Job, I am taken back a minute. Here is a man who underwent a testing that could hardly be considered fair or easy and yet his reflection upon the sovereignty of God is rock solid. I am also convinced that hidden in his responses here and throughout the book of Job, he also had a firm confidence in the goodness of God. While we might not see the whole picture or understand what is happening, the events of life and nations are not hid from God. What we can take solace in, is the fact that our times fit perfectly the plan of God and He can use what ever circumstances we find ourselves in to bring us into conformity to Christ (Romans 8:28-29).
Job’s question in the second half of verse one cuts to the quick. Why is it that we who know the Lord, do not have an understanding of the purposes of God in the days in which we live? I suspect it is simply because our knowledge of God is superficial and we have allowed comfort to rob us of the real intimacy that comes when we commune and live with God in trying times and find Him good, holy, righteous, and our true source of comfort and peace. It is when we finally come to that place where we do not expect Him to give us, of all people, an account of His sovereign plan, but rather we rest in His wisdom and grow, and then look to see what He would have us to do with the opportunities he has placed at our doorsteps for His Kingdom!
Psalms 74:12 (NKJV) 12 For God is my King from of old, Working salvation in the midst of the earth.
Here’s a question…Did anything that has happened over the last several months change anything concerning that for which God has called us? I think not!