Speaker: Bro. Bobby Rodriguez ,Elder, The Lord's Flcok Catholic Charismatic Community

“ God Is In Control ”

God Is In Control of Our Land

“I f my people upon whom my name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my presence and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven and pardon their sins and revive their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

O ur nation is passing through difficult times. We have political, military, and economic problems. Is God still in control? The answer is yes because God holds everything in his hands. He is in control of the world and of our lives.

B ut for God to revive our land, our people must do the following:

? Humble themselves and pray;

? Seek God's presence; and

? Turn from their evil ways.

W e believe these are the solutions to the problems of the Philippines .

God's Complete Control of the World

G od's complete control of the world is manifested to us from the first chapter of Genesis up to the last book of the Holy Bible. God created the world and everything out of nothing. He is the supreme Lord over all creation. He has provided for all his creatures since the beginning of the universe.

A s written in Genesis 3, sin entered into God's perfect creation in paradise. But because of his complete control, God provided a way for us to conquer sin and death: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (John 3:16).

M an had become so wicked that God decided to destroy humanity by a great flood for 40 days . God showed his complete control by saving the family of Noah to re-populate the earth. (Genesis 6-8).

A fter the Great Flood, God wanted to scatter the people but they did not want. They built the tower of Babel to make a name for themselves. To show God's complete control, He confused their languages and scattered them all over the earth. (Genesis 11:1-9). God did not allow them to hinder his plans for them.

G od will always be in control no matter what happens. His perfect will shall be accomplished despite human unfaithfulness. This is the case in all Scriptures and it remains true for us today. Despite our human pains, turmoil, and selfishness, God is always in control But no matter how hard the winds blow, no matter how much the adversities intensify, no matter how impossible the situation is, we feel an awesome sense of power, strength, and assurance in our heart. These can only come from God.

D avid tells us of God's complete sovereignty – supreme, absolute rule, control and authority over the entire universe and over every single human being. He is all powerful, all knowing and all present. “The Lord's throne is established in heaven; God's royal power rules over all. Bless the Lord, all you angels, mighty in strength and attentive, obedient to every command. Bless the Lord, all you hosts, ministers who do God's will. Bless the Lord, all creatures everywhere in God's domain. Bless the Lord, my soul.” (Psalms 103:19-22).

I f no one is in control, does it mean that everything that happens is resolved by chance or luck? The Scriptures are clear. God is not in the luck business; but in blessings business.

I f we replace God's sovereignty with sheer luck, we are saying that there is no plan or order in the universe and we are all victims of circumstances. If this is the case, we shall be happy sometimes; but most of the time, we shall be unfulfilled and always scared of the future.

G od does not want us to live believing in luck. He is in absolute control of every single event of our life. He is the master of everything that affect his purpose for each of us.

H ow can we be sure about this? “ In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth….” (Genesis 1:1). God created everything that exists out of nothing. He put them in order and created the earth, solar system, galaxy, gravity, time, space and every aspect of matter in the universe. If God has set all of these in motion, then He is more than able to sustain his creation for eternity.

T he Old Testament reveals God's control over all areas–over nature, nations and even unbelievers.

U nlike man, God is not bound by nature. He has total control of nature.

? “Whatever the Lord wishes he does in heaven and on earth, in the seas and in all the deeps. He raises storm clouds from the end of the earth, makes lightning and rain, brings forth the wind fro the storehouse.” (Psalms 135:6-7).

? “You raise grass for the cattle and plants for our beast of burden. You bring bread from the earth, and wine to gladden our hearts.” (Psalm 104:14).

G od has dominion over the nations. He is not worried about world leaders. They are only in power because God allows them.

? “Let every person be subordinate to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1). Let us obey authorities.

? “He makes nations great and he destroys them; he spreads peoples abroad and he abandons them. He takes understanding from the leaders of the land, till they grope in the darkness without light; he makes them stagger like drunken men.” (Job 12:23-24).

T here is no nation, no president, dictator or army that does anything outside God's control. This does not mean we will understand why certain things happen. [Some atrocities like Holocaust seem to defy explanation.] We have the assurance of the Scriptures that even when we do not understand God's plan, He remains in control of every nation. Because of King Nebuchadnezzar's arrogance and pride (Daniel 4), he was punished by God. When he repented, he proclaimed: “Therefore, I, Nebuchadnezzar, now praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” (Daniel 4:34).

B ecause we know that God is in control, we can find peace and assurances from our Father:

1. W e find comfort in the fact that God who is in absolute control of everything is intimately and continually involved in our individual lives every single day.

? “My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19). God never stops providing our needs.

? “Look at the birds In the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they?” (Matthew 6:26).

? “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1).

G od is sovereign and all knowing. He knows what we need today and tomorrow.

L et us not be discouraged by problems. Let us pray for wisdom and discernment.

? “No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

L ike King David, let us trust the Good Shepherd. He will always protect, nourish and care for us. God will safely guide us through our trials. (Psalms 23).

2. W e have the assurance that God will work out every single circumstance in our lives for something good. No matter how painful, difficult or impossible, God can and will use that situation to achieve his divine purpose. (Jeremiah 29:11).

? “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10).

? “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. ” (Romans 8:28).

3. W e have the assurance that nothing can touch us apart from the permission or will of God.

? “In my misfortune I called, the Lord heard and saved me from all distress.” (Psalm 34:7).

? God is our protector. Job had a hedge of protection from God. Everything was taken away from him. He had nothing left except faith, and he was righteous to the end. (Job 2:10 ).

D oes God lose control for a moment?

T he answer is no. Nothing can happen unless God allows it. We must face the future boldly. God will always be there for us and he will protect us and guide our steps.

W hen we begin to understand that God is in control in this world, then everything in our lives will change forever. God is omniscient and omnipotent. Nothing is impossible with him. No matter what happens, God is strong enough to overcome our biggest problems. God will meet us in the midst of our pain. He will not only help us but He will also increase our compassion for others who are also suffering.