Master of the master plan . . .

The Bible can be summed up in three statements: God made it; humanity ruined it; God remakes it. Every time I read the world news, it seems obvious we are in the second phase, yet it is that third one where the Lord wants my focus.

The Word of God helps me with this by continually repeating the good news. God is God and totally capable of accomplishing His purposes:

“The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.” (Psalm 93:1)

The psalms are filled with words of praise and worship. Declaring God is God is not a chant or a mantra; it is a truth that all who love Him know and are glad to tell the world. He is our vision and hope. His plan is our goal and keeps us stable, even as the world wobbles and reels under the weight and actions of sinful souls. Yet they will not be able to ruin God’s plan because:

“For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.” (Psalm 97:9)

“Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.” (Psalm 115:3)

“For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.” (Psalm 22:28)

While the remaking is not the sole task of God’s people, He uses us to declare His purposes. I am to live in response to His promises, fighting sin, yielding to His rule over me, and telling others how Jesus Christ gives eternal life and renewed hope to all who trust in Him:

“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:11–16)

As I read these verses, the sinful antics of those who resist God remind me of squirming bugs impaled on a stick. They may spread death, destruction and fear buy they can only go as far as God allows.

I also interpret the so-called ‘natural’ disasters as warnings to those who think they are the masters of their fate. God allows His creation to warn us that we, and all schemes to rule this world for personal gain, are nothing compared to His mighty power and plan. Even as it is torn apart, God shows us that His power to both destroy and rebuild are mightier than anything humanity can do.

I am not only encouraged by reminders of who is the Boss in this messy planet, but also filled with praise. It is not fully evident yet, but the day is coming when God’s reign will be revealed and “every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)

^^^^^^^

Oh Jesus, my heart joins the heart of the psalmist to say: “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.”

And to those who are not His people yet, I and the psalmist add: “Today, if you hear his voice do not harden your hearts.” (Psalm 95:1–8)