We know God is sovereign. We talk and sing about it. But sometimes we don’t apply that when we face difficult situations. When Jesus delayed going to help Lazarus, He knew what would happen before it happened. He knew what the ultimate result of the sickness was. It was as if God has said, “Sickness, you can go this far but no further.” Even though Lazarus experienced death, Jesus reversed that and brought him back to life.
The God of providence has limited the time, manner, intensity, repetition and effects of all our sicknesses; each throb is decreed, each sleepless hour predestinated, each relapse ordained, each depression of spirit foreknown and each sanctifying result eternally purposed. Nothing great or small escapes the ordaining hand of Him who numbers the hairs of our head. He knows our limits. He clearly understands what He is trying to accomplish in our lives. He never over estimates or under estimates what it will take to help us grow to become more like Jesus.
Sickness, or anything we face, is for a reason. It’s never bad luck or something that just happened. The sovereign God of the universe plans and uses it all. It’s never out of His control, never too much, never too little, but always just right. He never cuts deeper than needed, never heats the fire hotter than necessary or keeps us in it a moment too long. Never. (January 23, 2019 Hyderabad, India)
John 11:4 “When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
Psalm 147:5 “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit”
Isaiah 46:10 “I make known the end from the beginning…”
Are you going through any trying circumstances right now? Do you ever wonder if God knows or cares? Find hope in the fact that God is in sovereign control of what you are going through. He has set limits to it so it accomplishes what He wants but no more. Thank Him for that and reaffirm your trust in Him.
Jerry Schmoyer
Christian Training Organization ©2019