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Without question, the Bible teaches that God rules over the world He has created. That is true even though God created mankind with a free will which we sometimes use to do things contrary to His purposes. God’s wisdom and omnipotence are seen in the way He is always able to weave the sins of mankind into the tapestry of His eternal will so that, in the long run, God’s promises and purposes are always kept. This world’s events are never “out of control” as far as God is concerned. “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he” (Deut. 32:4).
When we are tempted to worry about the uncertainties of a changing world, it helps to remember that the whole universe was created by a God who is eternal. The comforting thing about God’s eternal nature is not merely that He exists eternally, but that His character is eternal: God is changelessly faithful to us!
Early in the Bible, we hear God promising to deal with the problem of sin. As early as Gen. 3:15, we hear God promising Satan that One would be born of woman who, while suffering a minor wound, would defeat Satan completely: “he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
The last book in the Bible, Revelation, assures us of the ultimate victory of God over sin and all its consequences: “‘Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.’ Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates” (Rev. 22:12-14).
This week, we need to remember this simple fact: God always keeps His promises and fulfills His purposes. Nothing can happen that is capable of altering or obstructing the ultimate goal toward which God is moving history. We need to draw great assurance from the knowledge that “the Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations” (Psa. 33:10,11).
Monday: Hebrews 10:23; 11:8-12
Key Idea: God is faithful in keeping His promises.
Questions for Family Growth: What is a promise? Concerning God, what does it mean that “he who promised is faithful”? What are some promises of God that we should trust in? What should we do if, at the present moment, it looks as if God is not keeping His word?
Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 17:1.
Tuesday: Hebrews 13:5,6
Key Idea: God has promised to care for us.
Questions for Family Growth: What are some of the ways God helps us and cares for us? What does it mean that God will never “forsake” us? Bad things can certainly happen to us in this world, but why should we not be afraid of what may happen?
Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 17:2.
Wednesday: Numbers 23:19
Key Idea: God always accomplishes His purposes.
Questions for Family Growth: What are some characteristics and limitations of human beings that sometimes keep us from achieving our goals? Does God have these characteristics or limitations? What are some of God’s purposes for mankind?
Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 17:3.
Thursday: Psalm 33:10,11
Key Idea: Nothing man can do is able to keep God from accomplishing His purposes.
Questions for Family Growth: Can human beings do things that are opposed to God’s will? In the long run, can these things stop God from accomplishing His purposes? What does Jn. 16:33 teach that should be encouraging to us?
Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 17:4.
Friday: Romans 8:35-39
Key Idea: Nothing can happen that can separate us from God’s love.
Questions for Family Growth: How would you define “worry”? What are some things that cause us to worry? Are any of these things greater than God? If we choose to be faithful, can anything keep us from going to heaven?
Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 17:5.
Gary Henry – WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com