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“For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’…” Isaiah 46:9b-10

Life is hard. We live in a fallen world full of sinners and broken people. Sure, we who are followers of Christ are redeemed—but we still fight against our sinful flesh and thereby contribute to the damaging stuff of life. Then there’s the world system (culture) run by the god of this world, Satan. He hates God, and he hates you. And he knows his time is short, so this father of lies has ramped up his campaign against us all.

Now, I’m not a social media girl (thankfully, I avoid all those platforms). And I’m doing my best to disconnect from the growing madness in our country, although it’s a challenge to not see or unsee the relentless “news” reports. But the fact is, we don’t need media of any kind to recognize the truths of life’s trials, tragedies, trepidations, and terrors. A friend’s newborn in NICU. An aging parent with dementia. A neighbor’s body riddled with cancer. A brother at church without a job and about to lose his home. A sister struggling with infertility. The lonely young and the lonely old. Our lost loved ones. Our own physical pain or illness. Who needs CNN or FOX or X or Facebook to put life’s upheavals on blast?

As Christians, we unequivocally know that we’re in a spiritual battle at all times in this world. And we know with all certainty that we’re fighting from victory, because Jesus conquered sin and death—at least, I pray you know that! We probably even quote Genesis 50:20 and Romans 8:28 with much enthusiasm.

Yes, but. We can’t just ignore or deny the sorrow, suffering, sadness. Like David, we cry, “How long, Oh Lord?” We look up to the heavens with shouts of “Why?” and maybe even (kinda like Job), “I’m (They’re) righteous, holy, ‘good’ Christians, Lord! What did I (they) do to deserve this?” Our tears fall and anger rises.

Beloved, these are the very times to crawl up into the lap of God. Run into the Shelter of the Most High. Cling to the Rock. To give Jesus our heavy burden in exchange for His light yoke. And remember: God may not share with us His “why” anytime soon—but we can stand firm that He has one. And it’s always for His glory. Maybe He’ll give us insight to His purposes. Perhaps we’ll look back in a year or five to see it clearly. But maybe we won’t. As with Job, God may just want us to remember that He is God, and we are not.

But before you get all, “Good grief, Julianne, way to encourage,” let me finish…Sweet friend, God is Sovereign—in control over everything. Every cell, every star, every move of the enemy. Creation, though, isn’t just about the Sovereignty (power/control) of God, but His sweet Providence. According to John Piper’s definition, Providence is “wise and purposeful sovereignty.” Why the differentiation? Because God is good (Psalm 34:8; Psalm 27:13; Nahum 1:7; James 1:17). His power is always and only for His glory…and yes, ultimately, for our good—even if we don’t see it until we’re with Him in heaven.

Here’s a historical quote from the Heidelberg Catechism in 1563 that beautifully defines God’s Providence: “The almighty, everywhere present power of God, whereby, as it were, by His hand, He still upholds heaven and earth with all creatures and so governs them that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, indeed, all things come not by chance, but by His Fatherly hand.”

“Father God, as Job answered You in his repentance, may I say with confident hope, “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.” May I hold fast to Your Providence.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life