I don't need to write this, because you know it's true, but I'll write it again as a reminder: many things in your life are out of your control.
We live in a world filled with injustice, oppression, corruption, disaster, disease, and various other kinds of trouble. Many of us have experienced loss, tragedy, and suffering because of the condition of our fallen world.
As I've traveled around the global church, I've found that all this trouble has gotten Christians everywhere discouraged. Much of our emotional energy is sapped by worry. Many of us are motivated by fear. We frequently lose sleep because we wish we had power we'll never have.
I understand why - life in a fallen world is hard. We experience things every day that were never meant to happen when God designed his perfect created order. But I also have come to understand this: when we assess the trouble in our lives, many of us forget to calculate the existence, character, and plan of God.
We take into account the size of the difficulty, and we take into account the effect it has on our lives, but we struggle to take into account God. We simply forget that he is present, ruling, and loving, and we simply need to remember more.
That's why I love Daniel 6:26-27. In it, King Darius delivers one of the most compelling statements on the power of God: "He is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues, he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth." (ESV)
You ought to memorize that verse today and take Darius' words to heart, so in moments of trouble, you won't give way to thinking that your life is out of control. Yes, it's out of your control, but God's reign and rule can never be destroyed.
Over all the trouble that confounds and dismays us is a God of glorious wisdom, power, and grace Who rules every moment of every situation. You won't always see His hand, but He's working. You won't always feel His presence, but He's there.
So look up and remember that above your life is a throne, and it's occupied by a God of unimaginable majesty and power, ruling and controlling this universe for his glory and your good.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. What things in your life are currently out of your control?
2. How is the trouble you're experiencing contrary to how the perfect created order was meant to operate?
3. When you assess your trouble, how do you often forgotten to calculate in God's presence, power, and love?
4. How does Daniel 6:26-27 provide specific and concrete hope for your current trouble?
5. With whom will you share the message of Daniel 6:26-27 this week?
