Who is in Control?

 WHO IS IN CONTROL?

This photo shows a portion of the walled city of Dubrovnik, Croatia.  The walls and towers were built between the 13th and 15th centuries.  It was delightful to walk the path all the way around the walled city.  Note the watchtower poking out over the sea.  Back hundreds of years ago, such cities depended on soldiers to keep watch and sound the alarm if they spotted any form of danger.

I'm reminded of the first verse in Psalm 127:  "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it;  Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain."

That verse says it all.  When we ask the question, who is in control?  The answer should always be, "God is in control."  But, how often on a daily basis do we embrace that truth and live as if we believe it?  Sarah Young writes about what we all tend to do when a problem or need arises:  "You tend to go into problem-solving mode all too readily, acting as if you have the capacity to fix everything.  This is a habitual response, so automatic that it bypasses your conscious thinking," from Jesus Calling.

"But, I just want to help," you say.  Of course we do!  And God uses us as His hands and feet to accomplish many tasks here on earth, but it should be on His terms, not ours.  And, there are times when our prayers to God about a situation will change the outcome without so much as a word or action from us.  At such times, we need to leave the situation and people involved in God's hands - after all, He's the One who holds the heart of the king in His hands - not us.  He can change hearts, we cannot.

We can work our fingers to the bone and make ourselves a nervous-wreck - all to no avail if God is not in it.  The soldier keeping watch in the tower can sound the alarm when the enemy approaches, but if God is not keeping that city safe, the soldier's prompt actions won't do any good.

The key to every good work and happy outcome is leaning into God's control of the situation.  I love the way Moses put it when he said to God, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here," Exodus 33:15.  Here we have a man who knew the absolute importance of being in God's will and moving only within the circle of Almighty God's loving control.  "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31.

As we begin the new year of 2022, uncertainties swirl around us and we wonder what the future holds.  Rather, we should be thankful that we know Who holds the future and His way is certain.  We are a needy people who are blessed to have a heavenly Father who has promised to meet our every need.  As one singer belted out, "Jesus, take the wheel!" 

Peace and joy will be our portion throughout this new year when we rest within the circle of Almighty God's loving control.