You’re reading or listening to the news. Your heart aches, then your blood pressure rises, then you just want to shut it off. Chocolate sounds good. Did you know that reading/hearing the news can be an exercise of faith? Our natural reaction to the mostly bad news we hear is to be depressed, angry, and overwhelmed. But we can choose to let current events remind us that no matter what happens, our Sovereign God is in charge. We can affirm to ourselves and others (with God listening) that we trust the blessed Controller of the universe. And we willingly live under his rule even if others rebel and refuse to recognize him. We can remind ourselves and others that God is in control even when evil seems to have the upper hand. After all, it seemed like the triumph of evil when our Lord Jesus was arrested, beaten, and executed although he was the only innocent person who ever lived. But it wasn’t the end of the story. In fact, we haven’t yet experienced the end of the story. But it’s a story of triumph in the face of evil. In fact, many of Jesus’ closest friends were also arrested and killed because they kept talking about him. The trouble started not long after Jesus’ death and amazing resurrection when two of his followers were arrested and threatened by the same leaders that railroaded the execution of Jesus.
“they put them in jail until the next day . . . Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
On their release [from jail], Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
“‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.”(Messiah). Psalm 118:22
Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” Acts 4:3,18,23-29
Their prayer was answered and two thousand years later, Jesus lives and his followers still talk about him. No government since has been able to completely silence those who love Jesus.
“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Jesus in Matthew 10:28-31
“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.” Psalm 145:13
We can, by faith, take comfort that a merciful God is in charge even when things don’t make sense. God is called Sovereign LORD 293 times in the Old Testament and 6 times in the New Testament. The writers of the Bible called on him in times of trouble and praised him in times of blessing. They knew God was ruler over all at all times. He rules over the nations and their rulers no matter how evil.
”so that everyone may know that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world. He gives them to anyone he chooses— even to the lowliest of people.” Daniel 4:17
“He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
No sooner are they planted,
no sooner are they sown,
no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.” Isaiah 40:23-24
“for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.” Psalm 22:28
“For by his great power he rules forever. He watches every movement of the nations…”. Psalm 66:7
“The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.” Psalm 103:19
And he rules over the details of our lives. He is so infinite that he can handle the biggest events in history and still have concern for the least impressive individual day by day.
“But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.” Psalm 11:4
So today when you read the news, thank God that he rules. Take comfort that he sees not only world leaders, but each of our hearts as well. He sees our faith and our willingness to obey him. And he is eager to show us how faithful and kind he is. He has graciously told us the end of the story so we can have hope in the darkest times. He will remake this hurting world into a flawless kingdom where justice and righteousness reign. And he will remake us so that all the ugly is gone and our hearts and actions are pure and right all the time.
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. . .“Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” Revelation 21:1,3-5
P.S. I know this sky looks like I got carried away in PhotoShop, but it actually looked like this. Our whole area witnessed these amazing colors one evening. There were a lot of Facebook posts because it was so unusual! I wonder what the sky will look like when Jesus returns?