Each week we’re given 7 days, 168 hours and 10 080 minutes of time. That’s a lot of time at our disposal.
And the Bible says God is sovereign over it all. From every waking and sleeping moment, in the highs and lows of life, from the mundane to the magnificent - God is in control of it all.
We read in Isaiah 46:9-10:
“I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,
declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet
done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purposes.’”
Or we read in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 all the various moments God ordains:
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing…
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
I wonder how does is make you feel to know that God is in control of all those times?
For me in the hard times it makes me question God’s plan. It makes me cry out to him in prayer for those who I love and hold dear who are in a time of pain and mourning. But also, in those times of tears and confusion I hold onto the precious character of God that is revealed to us in the bible.
That he is a God of steadfast love and kindness. That he is a God who is faithful and true. That he is a God who is not distant but who stepped into the mess of this world to save us from it.
When I think of God’s sovereign control – it fills me with great comfort and assurance because of who God is. He is a good and gracious God. He is a God who remains the same and who is always working his plans for our good and his glory even when we don’t understand.
Recently I came across a song which beautifully puts words to these truths. It’s a song which has fed and nourished my soul over the past few months. It’s a song titled – In Your Time. Here’s a taste of the first verse and chorus but let me encourage you to go and have a listen to the whole song:
I’ve carried burdens I’ve faced defeat
My weary heart it longs for peace
Through all my struggles, through all my woes
God is my refuge always close
God in your time
I’ll understand that through it all
Remained your plan
Your will not mine on earth be done
Oh God I trust your plan is enough
Praying for you that whatever situation or season you’re in right now, you’re able to seek refuge in our great God who is in control and deeply cares for us and carries us through.
Grace and peace,
Paul