4 Truths that Give Me Peace

Read or Listen: Psalm 99:1-5

“God is in Control.”  These four words have gotten me through some of the most difficult storms in life.  It was this simple sentence that my girlfriend (wife-to-be) would remind me of, to help me get through college! I wish that I could say the great truth of God’s sovereignty was a bedrock of my life – but I confess to having great trouble understanding & accepting it. The sovereignty of God has four beautiful facets which continually project
beautiful peace into my life…

1. God’s Powerful Control of All Things— Ps. 97:1 & 99:1 tell us that ‘the Lord reigns.’ He sits on the throne of the universe and shares it with no one. Every earthly authority is subject to Him… every political campaign, every king and kingdom. (good to remember on an election year!) Usually, absolute power corrupts… but not this time. He is absolutely trustworthy.
2. God’s Providential Care of All Things—The powerful Creator stoops down to concern himself with us. It could be compared to you, trading your son’s life for a colony of ants. Selling all you had to build them a new ant farm. Crazy! Why would God care about us? As David asked: “What is man, that you are mindful of him?” His ways are far above ours (Isa. 55:8-9; Ps. 8:4).
3. God’s Personal Choice over All People—God is the potter, I am the clay (Rom. 9:20-21; Jer. 18:2-6). He made me & then redeemed me. He owns me twice; He has right to do whatever He wants with me. I am debtor to obey Him so I serve Him—not to repay Him—but because I love Him.
4. God’s Predicted Climax of All History—AW Pink said: “God claims the end.” I agree. It’s already written – just read Revelation.  It’s been laid out and determined.  God knows how it will end—but not just the world’s end, your end, too!  That’s how in-control God is and that gives me so much peace.

Prime-Time Discussion:

What does “God’s sovereignty” mean to you?  (according to the dictionary, it means: to have control; to be in power; to be supreme; to have rightful status)

Which one of the four (right) would be most comforting to you in a trial? Why?

Night-Time Prayer:

Almighty God, I believe that You are in control—even when my life feels very much out of control. I will trust You to hold it together when I cannot. Please help me to understand your reason and purpose when life is so hard.

devotion by Patrick Nix