If we look at the news of the last days, we can see the following headlines: That the US and China enter into a trade war …, that the World Health Organization is making decisions on an ideological basis and not for health …. That there is not respect for the life… That the unemployment rate it will be the worst after the pandemic … That everything has been a plan to destabilize the world … In short, we are surrounded by news that produce fear regarding the present and the future.
A practical application of knowing the Sovereignty of God is understanding that Adonai is so powerful and wise that although the wicked and thieves are doing their wickedness, this has not escaped the hands of God. Each one will receive their pay in due course. But at the same time, the Almighty is guiding the history of mankind to fulfill what He has prophesied to us. Everything is under God’s control.
It must also be remembered that throughout history the people of God have suffered difficult times for different causes, and God has always raised up his people and this people still subsists and not only subsists, but is the one who moves the machinery of world. By living holy lives and reflecting the love of God they have been salt and light, salt that preserves the world from destruction and a guiding light to show the world where it should walk.
The Bible reminds us of the experiences of loved sons of God, who experienced dramatically difficult situations, and by passing their test in faith, they fulfilled the purpose for which they were created and God glorified them. I will only mention two examples:
- Joseph was sold by his brothers. God took it upon himself to protect Joseph and to make him second in command in Egypt after Pharaoh. But, the way to understand that God had the purpose of protecting his people through these series of circumstances was not easy for Joseph, since he was despised by his brothers, sold as a slave, unjustly imprisoned and defamed. All this way forged in him a character that allowed him to rule Egypt.
- Job understood that even if he behaved well, his life and possessions belonged to Jehovah. Adonai could give or take them whenever He wanted because He is the true owner of everything we have. The way for this great lesson in humility was not easy. God allowed Satan to attack Job, through the Sabeans, the Chaldeans, fire from heaven, strong wind from the desert. Job lost everything he had, including his seven sons and three daughters. God had a great purpose with Job but the way to fulfill that purpose was painful for Job. «The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.» … is the great phrase that Job inherited us. In the end, he received double what he had lost.
Brothers and sisters, people regularly seek God to ask Him for things and to expect «blessings» from Him. However, when most people talk about «blessings» they are thinking about a job, a house, money, a partner, health, etc. All things in this world. And God is so good that many times he has granted those requests. But, in certain moments of life, God allows difficult situations where we lose these things so that we focus on Him and remember that our greatest treasure is God Himself. That was the great lesson that the prophet Habakkuk left us:
Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NKJV)
Oh brothers, the truth is that we are so attached to this passing world that God moves it a little, from time to time, so that we do not feel so comfortable in it, because we do not belong to this reality in which sinful man believes that can find fullness of life. Our greatest treasure is God Himself, and although He blesses us with temporal goods, our greatest aspiration must always be to be close to the Creator. Let’s take advantage of these times in which the Lord has changed the rhythm of things to draw closer to Him and to review our lives in light of His Word. God wants to use us for His eternal purposes, but before using the clay pots, they must be cleaned.
On the other hand, I hear about «powerful men», ¡Putin!, ¡Bill Gates!, ¡that the new world order!, ¡that they dominate the world! In short, all kinds of alarms because the world believes that we are in the hands of a powerful few. That makes me laugh, when I remember who they are before the Almighty, NOTHING! NOTHING! They are dust of the earth, they exist for a short time and disappear and only the sands remain … ¿How many times in history has someone believed himself almighty and God has barely left a trace of them? Their memory is like sea foam, they are as nothing before Him, they are counted to him less than nothing (Isaiah 40:17). Some of these characters are even completely unknown to us. Our God is the only Almighty and He does not share his glory with anyone (Isaiah 42:8). Listen well people of God: NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN THAT GOD DOES NOT WANT IT TO HAPPEN AND IF SOMETHING HAPPENS IS BECAUSE GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR HIS SONS IN IT!
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28 NKJV
Jesus Christ encouraged us by leaving a principle extreme. He said:
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 10:28 NKJV
Even the devil cannot destroy our soul because it belongs to God. The devil is such a liar that he makes people believe that they can sell their soul. No one can sell what is not theirs.
Jesus Christ also said:
And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Matthew 24: 4-8 NKJV
Observe what Jesus Christ says, it is an order: ¡Let us not be deceived! and ¡let’s not be scared!… let’s pray, let’s read the Word, let’s continue doing what our loving Savior and Lord has taught us. Let us live in the fullness of the Holy Spirit, experiencing his power, his direction, and his comfort. Let us be the mighty of faith, the leaders of love guided by our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us occupy ourselves with the many good things that we can do with the gifts and talents that God has given us, at home, at work, and with those around us and God will glorify himself in it. We are not alone: the Spirit of God dwells in us!
May He strengthen us every day.
Amen
F.Y. Bernal
Arjé y logos 