How we handle hardships and suffering are directly related to how high our view of God is. The higher our view of God, the greater the comfort we find in his promises, and the more we will rest in his peace. Most Christians confess that they believe in the sovereign power of God, but in reality, when the tribulations and hardships of life crash down upon us, we often don’t live out what we profess to believe. Because we are weak, fallen people with feet of clay, there is a disconnect between what we profess and how we live. We don’t act like we believe that God is completely sovereign. We develop a higher view of our circumstances than we have of God. We don’t act like we believe God is in absolute control of every single event in our lives, and that he has a purpose behind every single event in our lives. But if we really believe God is sovereign, regardless of the circumstances we may be facing, God’s sovereignty is one of the most liberating doctrines in all of sacred Scripture. It may not answer all of our questions, but it reminds us that God has all the answers, that he is good, and that he has a purpose behind it. And we must never forget that he is always with his people. “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the LORD delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:18-19). When we trust God, then we can rest in his supernatural peace. Peace, as the Bible describes it, does not always mean the absence of tribulations and hardships. Peace means the presence of Christ. God is not a mere spectator of what comes to pass. He has ordained whatsoever comes to pass. He governs everything that comes to pass, from the greatest of events down to what seems to be small and insignificant events. There are no impersonal forces at work in God’s creation. There is no chance, no luck, no karma. They simply do not exist. There are no coincidences, though many things may seem coincidental to us. In a universe sovereignly ruled by a good and holy God, there are no chance events. History is under the absolute, sovereign control of God, and he directs history as he pleases. He is accountable to no one for how he exercises his sovereignty. God will often use what we would not consider conventional means to carry out his sovereign purpose. His sovereign plan may find us in situations or seasons of life we do not want to face. But isn’t there greater comfort in knowing those times are under the watchful eye and sovereign control of a good God than to think things happen by chance, or luck, or karma, or any other non-existent cause? We live in very uncertain times. We have no idea what tomorrow holds. But God does. We live in a time of escalating evil, lawlessness, and depravity, but it brings comfort to know that the God we cannot see is greater than the evil we do see. God often exercises his sovereignty quietly, but it is that quiet sovereignty that keeps God’s people sane in the midst of insane times. As we see the escalating sexual perversion, lawlessness, and insanity that unfolds before our eyes daily, we can wrongly think God has fallen asleep at the wheel. We can wrongly think that there is an “out to lunch” sign on the throne of grace. But “the LORD reigns” (Psalm 93, 96 97, 99). This is not to dismiss the trials and tribulations we face in life. They are very real, and at times, they can be devastating. But no circumstance, regardless of how dire it may be, is greater than God. He is a steadfast anchor for the soul. Sometimes, the greatest evidence we have that God is with us is that we are even standing in the midst of these trials and tribulations. The times in which we are now living are uncertain, and we have no idea what is going to happen today, much less tomorrow. But we have the comfort to know our uncertain times rest in the hands of a certain God! He causes all things to work together for good to those who love him (Rom. 8:28). These truths are important for God’s people, especially in times of tribulation, or if they suffer for their faith. Appearances are often deceiving. When things appear to be out of control, those are the times we should find comfort in knowing that God is in complete control. God is always exercising his divine sovereignty, but it is usually a quiet sovereignty. It is that quiet sovereignty that can keep God’s people sane in troubling and uncertain times. Earthly kingdoms rise and fall, but God’s kingdom is forever. His kingdom cannot be shaken. If you belong to Jesus Christ in saving faith, confessing him as your only hope of salvation, you have a place in that kingdom. Life in this fallen, sin-stained world is not easy. At times, it can be discouraging, even devastating. But God is exercising his quiet sovereignty. He is carrying out his purpose. Soli Deo Gloria!
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Patience While Waiting