GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL

WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL

FEBRUARY 22, 2023

TOPIC: GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL

BY T. O. BANSO

“Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses” (Daniel 5:21 New King James Version).

Looking at the high incidence of evil in the world today, some people wonder if God is still in control! I am not talking about atheists but those who believe in the existence of God, including Christians. They don’t doubt the existence of God but are worried by the wave of evil, which Christians, sometimes, are victims of.

King Jehoshaphat of Judah said, “O LORD God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You?” (2 Chronicles 20:6 New King James Version). God still rules over the world despite the unpleasant things happening globally. His power and might have not diminished. And although people may not see God visiting the wicked ones with judgment quickly as they desire, nobody can withstand Him. Job 9:12 says if He takes away, who can hinder Him? It also says who can say to Him “What are You doing?”

Referring to what God did to Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 5:21 says, “Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses” (New King James Version). God reigns supreme over all the kingdoms of the earth and can give them to anyone He chooses.

There are things we may not understand about God because He is God. Job said, “He does great things past finding out, yes, wonders without number” (Job 9:10 New King James Version). The Apostle Paul talks about the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God and how unsearchable His judgments are and His ways past finding out (Romans 11:33). Nevertheless, we must be settled in the truth that God is still in control despite the evil in the world, the oppression and persecution of believers, and other negative occurrences that are reported in the news daily.

God has not stopped being in control; He is still in control. He created the world and has not abdicated ownership to the devil. 1 Chronicles 16:26 says all the gods of the peoples are idols but the LORD made the heavens. He didn’t just make the heavens; He made the earth and the heavens (Genesis 2:4). Moses told Pharaoh in Exodus 9:29 that he would know  “the earth is the LORD’S.” David also said in Psalm 24:1, “the earth is the LORD’S, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.” He equally said in Psalm 22:28, “the kingdom is the LORD’S, and He rules over the nations.”

God said in Isaiah 45:7, “I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things” (New International Version). Note the two opposite things that God claims responsibility for. This truth is difficult for us to understand. How can a holy and loving God create “disaster”? Because God is in charge of the world, He makes peace and creates calamity, as the New King James Version puts it.

God is the governor over the world and nothing happens without His knowledge. He works through all men, good and evil to achieve His purpose but each person is responsible for his actions and will give account to Him one day. He also, sometimes, allows the wicked, the enemies of His people, to reap on earth the evil they have sown. As Galatians 6:7 says, whatever a man sows, he will also reap.

Even when the wicked appear to be having a field day, it doesn’t mean that God is not in control. He is, but His thoughts are not our thoughts and our ways are not His ways (Isaiah 55:8). Isaiah 14:24 says, “The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, ‘Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand’” (New King James Version). Verse 27 continues: The LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?

God’s purpose is different from ours and that’s why some people wonder if He has lost control of the world! God is still in control even as the wicked or sinners continue in their rebellion against Him and unleash evil on the innocent. God has His plan and purpose He wants to accomplish and He even, sometimes, uses the wicked, although, He currently gives them the opportunity to repent. 2 Peter 3:9 says the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

But if they fail to repent, they cannot escape His judgment. It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Proverbs 16:4 says, “The LORD has made all for Himself, yes, even the wicked for the day of doom” (New King James Version). As the New Century Version puts it, “The Lord makes  everything go as he pleases. He has even prepared a day of disaster for evil people.”

Christians are not exempt from some of the evil happening in the world but we must rest assured that God is still in control. Satan is called the prince or ruler of this world not because God handed over the world to him (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). It is because Adam and Eve did when they sinned. But Christ has taken it back through His death on the cross for our sins.

Christians are not yet in heaven despite having eternal life. We live in a fallen and broken world. Therefore, we experience some afflictions and pain. We experience both good and bad times. The New Living Translation renders Isaiah 45:7 thus: “I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the Lord, am the one who does these things.” Whether you’re going through a good time or a bad time, never take your eyes off Jesus.

Psalm 34:19 says many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. The Amplified Bible puts it this way: “Many hardships and perplexing circumstances confront the righteous, but the LORD rescues him from them all.” God will deliver you from all your hardships and perplexing circumstances.

Despite what you are going through or the negative things happening around you, always know that God is still in control. He is interested in the world that He created and in you, and He will do whatever pleases Him and whatever He pleases. Psalm 115:3 says our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. “Whatever the LORD pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places” (Psalm 135:6 New King James Version).

God is still in control of the world. Daniel said, “And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding” (Daniel 2:21 New King James Version). Regardless of what anyone does, ultimately, God’s purpose will prevail. Proverbs 19:21 says, “People might make many plans, but what the Lord says is what will happen” (Easy-to-Read Version). The Living Bible puts it concisely: “Man proposes, but God disposes.”

Child of God, God is still in control. He will perform His counsel in your life. No power can stop Him. Have faith in Him. Despite whatever is happening around you or in your life, God will work all things, positive and negative, together for your good because you love Him and you are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Hear what the Lord said: “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 New King James Version). Nothing is too hard or difficult for Him to God (Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17).  With God, all things are possible; with God, nothing will be impossible (Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 1:37). The things which are impossible with men are possible with God (Luke 18:27). God is able to perform what He has promised (Romans 4:21). He is the first and the last (Revelation 1:17; Isaiah 44:6). In other words, there is nobody else before or after Him. He is eternal, from everlasting to everlasting.

God is still in control. Continue to have faith in Him and put your hope in Him. Victory shall be yours. Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 New Living Translation). God is on your side. Don’t be afraid. Say as the psalmist said, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The LORD is for me among those who help me; therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me” (Psalm 118:6-7 New King James Version).

God is still in control. Fear not. He will never leave you or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Joshua 1:5; 1 Chronicles 28:20; Hebrews 13:5). Keep looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2). He will calm the raging storm in your life and all shall be well (Mark 4:39; Matthew 8:26; Psalm 89:9). Above all, remember there is eternal glory awaiting you, which cannot be compared to your present trouble. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17 New International Version).  

God is still in control.

TAKE ACTION!

If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.

Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart.  By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.

I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.

PRAYER POINTS: Father, thank You that You are still in control of the world and my life and You will never leave me or forsake me. Holy Spirit, help me to continue to have faith in God and put my hope in Him. I shall not stop looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith. Father, I pray that you will rescue Your children from all hardships and perplexing circumstances confronting them.

(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).

T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org