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"The Lord has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all."
(Psalm 103:19)
This week, we have been discussing how we view ourselves considering what we believe to be true about God. Those who do not know the Lord and believe everything is random and with no purpose see themselves as victims of cruel circumstances. However, those of us who know God, through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, know that God is sovereign. He rules over everything, and nothing passes to us unless it first is allowed by God who loves us and orders our days. Are there mysteries? Are there trials? Do things happen to us and others that we simply cannot understand? Yes, indeed; all of this happens.
We have two choices before us when terrible things happen to us or to others: we can view the circumstance as unfair, and we are innocent victims, and we can blame God; or, we can admit that we do not understand why God allowed this to happen, but we know He is good, and we trust His heart, even though we cannot track His hand or understand why this has happened to us.
The Bible is the story of God's relationship with His created world and the people He has made in His image. We should not use understanding as the criterion by which we judge God. Just because we do not know how or why certain things happen, that does not entitle us to become bitter and act as victims. Pastor Stanley used the illustration of electricity. He argued that most people do not understand how electricity works, but that does not stop them from turning on the lights in their home so they do not have to walk around in darkness. We do not sit in the dark and only use candles simply because we do not know how electricity works.
Where is God in tragedy? Why does He allow it? We will never know all the reasons. But we should start with Scripture. God is sovereign. He is always ultimately in control and never abdicates His throne. He promises to work out all things, not just good things, for our good. We believe God's promises. He will walk His children through every hardship and tragedy, and in the process, work it out for our good and for His glory. Apart from a biblical worldview, there is no acceptable explanation. If no one is in charge, then we are flying through space with no purpose or meaning.
We have the blessed assurance that God is in control of our circumstances. When we keep this in mind, then we will not feel as victims of our circumstances. Rather, we are victorious in life and in death because God is awesome, and He is for us. He gives us the grace and strength to make it through each of life's challenges, and then upon death, He brings us to heaven to live with Him for eternity. Praise the Lord! Psalm 135:6 says, "Whatever the LORD pleases He does, In heaven and in earth, In the seas and in all deep places."
God does what He pleases to do. He knows what is best. This truth made me think of a song I have enjoyed for a few months now called "Trust in God" by Elevation Worship:
Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine
He's been my fourth man in the fire, time after time
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood
And what He did for me on Calvary is more than enough
I trust in God, my Savior
The one who will never fail
He will never fail
I trust in God, my Savior
The one who will never fail
He will never fail
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