(Read Deuteronomy 29)
When I’m the most stressed and don’t let go, the worry doesn’t either. When I turn over my problems to God, I can feel the anxiety drain out of my body. This applies to little problems and life-shattering ones. It’s hard to explain what surrendering to God looks like to someone who doesn’t believe in God, but I think it’s easy. God created us and everything around us. He even created things we can’t see or know about. Everything about our existence is because of God and His plan. When I have a problem, I leave it to the only one who can do something about it.
God has absolute authority and power over all creation. Nothing happens outside of His knowledge or control, whether in nature, human events, or our lives. Those who believe in God’s sovereignty trust that everything happens according to a divine plan, even if it isn’t always clear in our limited understanding.
Last weekend, three good friends from church and I joined Samaritan’s Purse to help out people in western North Carolina from the ravages of Hurricane Helene. It was a disaster area. Some parts looked more like a demolition zone than a scenic rural community. Devastation was painted on the faces of several we were in contact with. We had to look pretty hard to see hope, but the presence of God was there.
“The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions.
Deuteronomy 29:29
Why does God keep things to Himself? It’s His domain, it’s His home, His rules. Maybe it’s because if we knew His plans for us, we would inadvertently do something to prevent them from working out. Or perhaps because we’re not ready, we “can’t handle the truth.” I think the biggest reason is that God wants a change in us before He can reveal something. Our hearts aren’t ready. He’s got work to do in us and we have work to do in us.
In Deuteronomy 29:29, Moses emphasized God’s sovereignty along with human responsibility. It takes humility to trust and obey in something out of your control. It takes patience and faith to trust in the mysteries God has yet to reveal, but we have been given enough wisdom to live faithfully according to what He has already made clear.
One woman we met on our trip was incredibly open to sharing her life with us. The leadership at Samaritan’s Purse encouraged us not to get caught up in finishing tasks but to minister to the community. They said if we were sensitive to their situation, most people would be eager to tell their stories. Corinne sure was.
But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come.
Daniel 2:28
Like Joseph in Genesis, the prophet Daniel attributed God’s truth and wisdom to his dreams. The profound truth he gained from his dreams couldn’t come from magic, astrology, or social media. Only God could provide meaning and purpose to these prophetic dreams. For that matter, a sovereign God provides purpose to all things, including spiritual and actual storms.
Corinne talked about her life before the flood. There were instances of betrayal, hate, hardship, and loss. The storm only deepened her despair. “I used to go to church,” she admitted. “But then things happened, and I backslid.” She was in a bad place and appeared to be feeling guilty about the change in her worship habits. We each paused in our cleanup duties to listen. When we completed one of the jobs at hand, we formed a loose circle around her, each taking time to offer a glimpse of Christian insight meant to lift, not to preach. She was very receptive to our encouragement, all centered on the love of Jesus. Twice, we joined arm-in-arm and prayed for her.
Faith in God’s sovereignty offers hope in a world filled with trauma, uncertainty, and change. Someone is in control, and He has a good plan for our lives. Even when we cannot see the path ahead, we can trust that God knows the way. By embracing God’s word, we gain a deeper understanding of our place in His plan and find hope and assurance even if we’re smack in the middle of life’s challenges.
Corinne’s tragic situation could also be a call to faith, reminding her that while her understanding of the event is limited, God’s purpose is broader than she could ever imagine. God holds the key to unlocking the unknown. He reveals what is hidden, not because of our merit but because of His grace.
On the way to take our puppy to the vet this afternoon, an SUV appeared out of nowhere, tailgating so close I couldn’t see his front bumper. Bored with following me, he weaved in and out from lane to lane without regard to comfort zones or safety. He rolled to a red light, hesitated, and ran the light. My driver’s rage wanted to confront this person, but I was running late and had my granddaughter with me. She is only four-and-a-half, but she couldn’t believe this “crazy car.” Of course, there were no police when we needed them, I thought to myself. Walking out of the animal hospital a while later, I heard a little voice say, “Pop Pop, look at those two police cars! Is that the crazy car in front of them?” Yes, it was.
I was so angry at the driver and wondered where the justice was. It was unfair that no one was around to do anything about it. Talk about fairness to a Holocaust survivor, a grieving mother, or one of the 1.03 million aborted babies in the U.S. in 2023. It certainly wasn’t fair that so many people lost their homes or, worse, due to Hurricane Helene. God’s goodness emerges even in the darkest moments of this broken world. Sometimes, His plans bring redemption and beauty into this life, while at other times, their complete revelation awaits His kingdom in Heaven.
God is not a mere spectator of history; He is the author of it.
C.S. Lewis
Whether seeking direction, clarity, comfort, or solutions to life’s pressing concerns, we would do well to remember that God invites us to seek Him. If we meet every challenge with humility, faith, and the assurance that God is actively working behind the scenes, He often reveals the events for His glory and our good. The turnout of volunteers ready to serve with Samaritan’s Purse that Saturday was staggering. Due to the number of cars, it took us an hour and a half to get off the main street in town to the staging site. We met people from down the street to Georgia, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Oklahoma.
God’s hand can be seen in every mystery when we trust in Him rather than leaning on our understanding. Daniel had been asked to perform the impossible task of interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Instead of taking credit for the interpretation, Daniel credited God as the source of all wisdom and insight.
Heartbroken people need love and hope, not advice. Listening to Corinne’s plight brought out the spirit of Christ in all of us. We were only there to remind her that there is hope in a living God who provides for her. She was pretty upset with herself for “backsliding,” but we assured her that God had already forgiven her. If she has a relationship with Jesus, He loves her unconditionally. Then she said, “I believe the flood has brought me closer to God. It has (re)connected other people too.”
When tragedy strikes, God offers hope and healing for us and those we meet along the way. The sun shines brightly behind the storm. Leave it to Him to blow the clouds away and reveal the glory.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Key Applications:
- Pray boldly, recognizing God’s sovereignty. Know that He hears our prayers and answers them according to His will.
- Trusting in God’s plan requires faith. Even when we don’t understand His ways, we should trust that He works for our good.
- Submitting to God’s will means aligning our lives with His purposes. This can involve surrendering your plans and desires to seek and follow His guidance.