A Truth to Believe

God Controls

The God of the Bible is a God in control (Heb. 2:8).

God is in complete control of everything in the universe (Ps. 103:19). He has dominion over all creatures and all creation at all times: past, present, and future (Ps. 24:1). For God to be in control means nothing is outside his authority, purpose, plan, providence, or decree (Isa. 46:9–10). Instead, “he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Col. 1:17).

As the creator of all, God reigns over everything (Ps. 33:6). He is in control of good and evil (Lam. 3:38; Phil. 2:12–13), joy and sorrow (Isa. 45:7), life and death (Ps. 139:14–15; Acts 2:23), nations and creation (Prov. 21:1; Matt. 10:29–30), morning and evening (Matt. 5:45; Isa. 40:26), winter and summer (Gen. 8:22), heaven and hell (Ps. 135:6; Rev. 14:10), salvation and condemnation (Eph. 1:11; Rom. 8:29–30; 9:22–23), blessing and persecution (Jas. 1:17; Gen. 50:20), and success and sorrow (Prov. 16:9; 2 Cor. 4:17).

To be in control of all things means that God “rules over all” (Ps. 103:19). He is never surprised, never taken off guard, never thwarted (Ps. 103:19), never outwitted, never overpowered, never dissatisfied (Ps. 135:6), never prevented, never coerced, and never mistaken.

With absolute and sovereign control over all things, God gives plan, purpose, orientation, and shape to all that was, all that is, and all that will be, all for his fame and glory (Isa. 14:27; Col. 1:16). No matter what a Christian faces, we can trust that all things at all times are under God’s guiding direction and control.

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all (1 Chronicles 29:11).

A Quote

“Believe me, you cannot stand still in your souls. Habits of good or evil are daily strengthening in your hearts. Every day you are either getting nearer to God, or further off.”

J. C. Ryle Thoughts for Young Men

Something about Living

A mind void of Scripture cannot produce a heart set on Christ.

A Resource

If you are looking for a resource to help grow your obedience to Christ’s commands, we have been rereading an excellent book by John Piper called All that Jesus Commands.

We highly recommend it.