Is God Really in Control?

Is God really in control of this crazy world? After all, people shoot gays in nightclubs, ISIS executes Christians and show it on the internet for all to see, children are abused by parents and people doing good for others die in automobile accidents. It seems that if there is a God and He is in control all people would be safe and good would always see triumph over evil; or would it?

Truth is God allows evil to exist so that we can know Him in a way that would be otherwise incomprehensible. God does most assuredly have a sovereign will that is ultimately done. When all is said and done and time as we know it ends God will have worked every event in time out the way it needed to happen. Job said, “I know that you can do anything and no plan of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2) Paul said, “We have also received an inheritance in Him predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will.” (Ephesians 1:11) Because God is sovereign nothing happens beyond His control. Sometimes He causes things to happen and sometimes He simply allows them to happen. Either way He has power over everything and every event.

God reveals His desired will to people through the Word of God. He states clearly what He wants people to do. For instance we are to love Him above all and we are to love everyone as we love ourselves. We are to live out The Ten Commandments as we go through life’s journey. However, God has given people the ability to choose to do His desired will or to reject it and do as they please. When they do people get hurt; often times badly. Nightclub shootings, D.U.I. fatal accidents, angry parents beat innocent children.

These evils are why God sent His Son Jesus to die. To make a way for wrongs to be righted in eternity and to bend the hearts of rebellious people towards God’s revealed will. Yes, evil happens but God works good through each wrong and justly punishes those who choose evil over His will and rewards those who seek out His will and do His will. Those who surrender their free choice to His desired will are the ones who have received the grace of God and present themselves as living sacrifices to God so that the Holy Spirit will transform and renew their minds causing them to discern what is good, pleasing and perfect.  May each of us choose the revealed will of God and experience His life altering grace. When we see evil we trust God's ultimate will knowing in time those who are wronged will see justice and receive eternal restitution while perpetrators of evil will rightly receive the punishment that their life choices warrant.