Who is on the throne?

An important thought entered my mind this week that I’ve shared several times. It is this: In great wisdom and power, our God rules the universe; therefore, we can trust Him with our problems.

One dear friend struggles concerning her work situation. In caring for needy people, some of them resent and abuse her. Besides that, her family struggles to make ends meet. She knows that God can  help but why does He remain silent?

Another suffers from mental problems. This person knows God can remove those problems. Why do they persist? How can trials such as these seem ignored by a God who loves us?

When the Lord saw the evil in the world, He had Noah build a boat. His family was saved and the rest drowned. Then, much later as He saw the sinfulness of humanity, He sent His Son to die — that sinners might be forgiven and transformed. Why not when Noah was alive? Who can understand the plan and will of God, or His timing?

A mother longed for the conversion of her son and prayed with tears that he would not go to an evil city. He went, and there God converted him. Sometimes what looks wrong to us is right in the mind of God.

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

Do I have any reason to question the wisdom of God? Does anyone? He rules the universe, makes seeds sprout and grow, fills the earth with food, teaches birds to fly south in winter, and a host of other amazing events happen because of His supreme power and grace. No child of His should worry about daily needs.

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:30–33)

I read this morning how our enemy fills us with concerns to keep us from engaging in spiritual warfare to defeat his lies — lies that so easily cripple our minds and lives with worries about many things, all problems much smaller than ruling the world. Jesus conquered this “prince” who is already doomed when Jesus said, “Not my will, but Thine be done.” We get so tangled up in trying to rule our own lives that we too often ignore God or get frustrated with Him. Yet He is the One who has a better plan.

PRAY: Jesus, You are in charge. I often am mystified at the why of things, yet trusting You means that You are using all things, even those mysterious to me, for good in Your people, to transform our lives, to hopefully get us on our knees in total cooperation with Your plan to show a needy world this truth: “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8) This is the work that corresponds to “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10) Forgive me and forgive all Your people who are so often side-tracked by our own will and desire to rule our own little kingdom, forgetting to listen and obey You, the Ruler of the universe. May Your will be done.