We all face moments when life feels out of control. The chaos, uncertainty, and hardships we encounter can make us question who’s really in charge. But here’s the truth that anchors us: God is sovereign. His Word assures us that He is in control, no matter how broken the world may seem.
The Bible reminds us in Romans 13:1, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” This verse is a challenge because it requires us to trust that even when things don’t make sense, God has a plan.
God’s Sovereignty in Authority
It’s easy to look at the world and wonder how certain people end up in power. Some leaders seem far from righteous, leaving us feeling uncertain and even fearful. Yet, as believers, we are called to trust that no one rises to authority unless God allows it. God ordains rulers, even when we can’t understand why. He sees the bigger picture and works through even the most flawed human systems.
At times, I find myself struggling with this. It’s hard to accept that a leader I disagree with is part of God’s plan. But here’s the choice we must make: We either trust that God is sovereign, or we don’t. There’s no in-between. God doesn’t make mistakes, and His plan is greater than what we can see in the moment.
Jesus Himself demonstrated trust in God’s plan. When He spoke to His disciples, He often prophesied events that seemed unfathomable to them at the time. Yet, time and again, God validated His Word through signs, wonders, and fulfilled prophecies.
The Role of Signs and Wonders
In the New Testament, God often used miracles to get the attention of unbelievers. The Book of Acts is filled with accounts of miracles—out of 40 recorded miracles, 39 happened outside the church. These miracles weren’t just for the believers; they were for those who had no knowledge of God’s Word. God used these signs to validate His sovereignty and draw people to Himself.
Think of the story of Peter in Acts. He walked by a gate, and even his shadow healed a man who was sick. This wasn’t a coincidence or a random event—it was God showing His power outside the walls of the church. There are moments when we, as Christians, need to experience God’s power, but more often than not, these miraculous moments are meant to awaken non-believers to the reality of God.
Just as God used Peter and the apostles, He wants to use us. God wants to validate your faith—not just within the church, but in your workplace, community, and everyday life. Sometimes, He’ll use situations where you least expect it to show others that He is real.
A Personal Story of God’s Validation
I experienced this firsthand when I was in college. I drove a school bus and, as a known Christian, often faced mockery from my coworkers. Every day they would throw Bible questions at me, not seeking answers, but to make fun of me. I endured this, thinking of it as preparation for ministry, but it wasn’t easy.
Then, something remarkable happened. One Saturday morning, one of the men who had teased me called, crying. He told me that after seeing me leave the previous day, he saw a glow of God follow me to my car. He couldn’t shake the image and knew the God I spoke of was real. That encounter was a reminder that God validates our faith in ways we don’t always see or expect. He is always working, even when we don’t realize it.
Living as a Light in a Dark World
We’re living in a time where hostility toward Christianity is growing. The world feels increasingly broken, and it’s tempting to retreat or separate ourselves from the culture. But God calls us to something greater. In Jeremiah 29:4-7, God instructed the Israelites to settle into Babylon, the land of their captivity. He told them to build houses, plant gardens, and seek the welfare of the city because their well-being was tied to the welfare of the place they lived.
What a challenge that is! In a world that feels hostile to our faith, God still calls us to be a light. Instead of withdrawing, we are to be part of the transformation. We are to pray for our leaders, our communities, and even those who oppose us. It’s not about blending in with the culture but influencing the culture with the truth of God’s Word.
Bloom Where You’re Planted
I remember something my mother used to say: “Wherever you’re planted, bloom.” As Christians, we can’t just complain about the state of the world or the people in power. We need to be rooted in faith and bloom right where God has placed us.
The Book of Daniel gives us a perfect example. Daniel lived in a hostile world, but he didn’t retreat. He influenced his captors by living out his faith with integrity. He remained distinct, yet engaged with the culture in a way that glorified God.
God is Bigger Than Our Challenges
In life, things don’t always go as we plan. We face hardships, disappointments, and challenges that can shake our faith. But here’s the good news: God is bigger than our circumstances. Whether it’s a difficult leader in office, a bad diagnosis from the doctor, or personal struggles, God is still in control.
It’s in these tough moments that we need to ask, “God, what are you trying to show me through this?” Instead of resisting the challenges, we can lean into them, trusting that God has a purpose for everything He allows in our lives.
No matter what happens in the world around us, we have the assurance that God is sovereign. He holds all things in His hands, and nothing takes Him by surprise. So, when you face uncertainty, remember this: God is in control.
Pastor Dennis felt called into ministry at a young age when he was miraculously healed of a speech impediment at a gospel revival. While other kids were playing cops and robbers, Dennis was playing church with his brother, David and sister, Dee. He married his beautiful bride, Sharon in 1973 and began working his way through college, majoring in Biblical Studies at Tomlinson College. He pursued every opportunity for ministry from traveling evangelism to running youth camps to serving as senior pastor in several churches across Tennessee. All while continuing his education and ultimately receiving his Doctor of Philosophy in Ministry Science from Great Plains Baptist Divinity School in 2001.
Today he enjoys pastoring Grace Community Church and mentoring the next generation of leaders. In his spare time, he enjoys every minute he and Sharon get to spend with their 5 grandchildren.
- God Is In Control - November 7, 2024