God is in Control
How often over the last year were the following words spoken in America? “God is in control.” These magic words have been used over a wide range of issues that many have faced. Truly, God is creator of all (Genesis 1). His words to Job in the final chapters of the book of Job make it clear the knowledge and wisdom of God is far beyond the scope of man. However, what is the purpose of uttering the phrase “God is in control.”?
“God is in control” – Is this a password to do nothing?
For some, the acknowledgement of the power of God over all is recognition that He provides, cares, loves, and will ultimately deliver justice to mankind. God gave Adam and Eve a garden home with a promise. That promise was rooted in justice. If they ate of the forbidden fruit, their lives would be forfeit. God was true to His Word. God also provided deliverance for Israel under the bonds of Egypt. His promise was a blessed land of abundance for the children of Jacob. That promise too was rooted in justice. If they forsook the commandments of God, curses would come upon them and the land of Israel would vomit them out. Indeed God was faithful to His promise. The Lord of heaven and earth has as a foundation for all that He does: truth, love, justice, and righteousness.
Unfortunately, it seems there are those of the Lord’s Body, America, and the world who envision God as a micro manager who takes it upon Himself to control every aspect of man’s life. This is false. God has always allowed man freedom to choose his path under the knowledge of the Lord’s faithfulness to justice. Herein lies a great failure of mankind. Expressing: “God is in control.” currently seems be a ticket for mankind to fail to engage in doing what is his personal duty. It didn’t work or Adam and Eve or Israel. God will judge inaction and disobedience. When evil is occurring and man steps aside, he will be called to account by the Heavenly Father. America was a land founded on the principles that God was to be trusted – that He reigns supreme. However, happiness was not to handed out on a silver platter. It needed to be pursued. When the voices of Americans stand silent in the face of abortion, sexual sin, corruption, the censoring of truth, improper application or failure to enforce the law, election fraud, governmental injustice, deceit, treason, and so much more… God will not be appeased by the statement “God is in control.” as one stands by and silently watches evil occur.
If it is not obvious yet, the point is this: Every individual has the God given responsibility to do that which Jehovah has commanded. Man has a responsibility to step forward to care for the physical and spiritual injustices/needs experienced by others. Consider:
James 4:17 – “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
Psalms 82:3 – “Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.”
Ezekiel 33:6 – “But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.”
Galatians 6:10 – “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
1 John 3:17 –“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”
Luke 10:30-37
God is in control. He has delegated mankind to follow His commandments of justice, love, honor, and righteousness. God will not do what is required of His creation. However, He will hold mankind accountable for not acting upon the opportunity to do right. “God is in control.” is not an excuse to do nothing. This attitude of expectation of reward for failure to act has never been promised by God. He is a God of justice. May we, His creation, take this knowledge upon ourselves and engage in what is just for America and the world.