WEEK 10 – DAY 1

IT’S ALL IN GOD’S HANDS

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Proverbs 21:1

Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore, he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. John 19:10-11

Pilate thought he had the power of life and death over Jesus. However, God is ultimately the One who places people in the position of authority: Romans 13:1b, “For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” Jesus informed Pilate of this truth. Jesus did not fear Pilate because He knew that His Father controlled Pilate’s actions and was allowing Jesus to be subject to his judgment for the purposes of God’s Kingdom. Jesus had the benefit of knowing God’s plan for certain, knowing He had to face death and abandonment to redeem us, but knowing He would be restored to His rightful throne.

We do not have the ability to know our future. However, we can trust in God with the same certainty Jesus had. The truth is that God controls even the highest earthly authorities just like He controls the waterways and the winds. God is sovereign over the earth and all who reside upon it. If you know Him as your Father, this is a comfort. If you are not in right relationship with Him, you may find this truth terrifying. Wouldn’t you rather be on the side of the One who controls the hearts of earthly rulers?

Father, we thank you that we can rest assured that You are directing our paths. We are safely held in Your hand. Though storms of life will assail us, we know our lives are built on the firm foundation of faith in Jesus Christ.