Sovereign

We are in a battle, but not with other people. Our struggles with people and circumstances are real-life events and cause real-life problems. However, hiding behind every circumstance, there is a conspirator. Hiding behind every deception, there is a deceiver. Hiding behind every hurt, there is a hunter. Hiding behind every lie, there is the father of lies. Our clash is not with “flesh and blood.” We are in a spiritual battle.

Uncertainty is the only certainty in our lives. We just don’t know what will happen tomorrow. Money markets rise and fall. Health can take a quick turn. Children make decisions that alter their lives…and ours. One phone call can change everything. Uncertainty around us produces fears within us. But…the fear of uncertainty doesn’t wear well on followers of Jesus.

This past week the clouds gathered, and the sky darkened, interrupted by periodic flashes of lightning. A storm was on its way, and in a matter of minutes, it unleashed rain, hail, wind, cracks of thunder, and flashes of lightning. There is no getting around it. Storms will come, and sometimes they are unleashed in our lives. Personal storms come through unmet expectations and unfulfilled dreams. Sometimes clouds of darkness from illness and grief build in our hearts: disappointment, discouragement, disillusionment, and depression rain in our souls. But amid the storm—God is our stronghold!

As we move through the week of Christmas, we are focusing on Jesus; the One Isaiah described as the “Everlasting Father.” 

In this fallen world, we are either directly or indirectly impacted by the sin of others. But in this under-the-sun life, Jesus brings the joy of an above-the-sun perspective. He is at work! That is the basis for real joy! 

We live in a world that doesn’t make sense because this is not the way it’s supposed to be. Life “under the sun” is confusing. Throughout our study of Ecclesiastes, we have learned that there are things we will never understand.

Until then, we live in awe and respect God—in fear of the Lord—for his sovereign work in the world and our lives—even when we don’t understand. 

God is not only our King; he alone is supreme, the “blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords.”

In Jesus, we saw what God looked like and how much he loves us…all the way to the cross.