“and now, brothers, i know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. but what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. [acts 3:17-18]
God is in control.
we often struggle with control. some of us will even confess to having control issues, idols, or being a control freak. truth is – we all battle being with control. or better said, we battle with the illusion of being in control.
we are not in control.
never have been.
never will be.
we cannot be in control in this world.
God is and has always been in control.
in him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, [eph 1:11]
and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. [rom 8:28]
for by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. and he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. [col 1:16-17]
i form light and create darkness; i make well-being and create calamity; i am the LORD, who does all these things. “shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; i the LORD have created it. woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘what are you making?’ or ‘your work has no handles’? [isaiah 45:7-9]
rest or fight – his control.
the Spirit reminds us today through his voice – spoken through isaiah – we are battling with the LORD when we strive to be in control! we are battling with the Almighty Creator God when we seek to control things in this world like the pot arguing with the potter.
today you have a choice:
– submit to the Spirit and rest in God’s control,
– or fight the Spirit and live in the illusion of control.
LORD – cause us to submit and find joy in your control. you are Sovereign, All-Powerful, God! may we stop striving with you and rest our anxious thoughts in you. give us joy and rest in your presence today. in Jesus name – amen!
~ john ryan