In (John 19:8-11) we read one of the classic statements by Jesus about the absolute sovereignty of God: “When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. ‘Where do you come from?’ he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. ‘Do you refuse to speak to me?’ Pilate said. ‘Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?’ Jesus answered, ‘You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore, the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.’”
In a world where evil and suffering are so prevalent Jesus, as well as you and me, can often find solace in knowing that our great God is sovereign over the affairs of men and that He will work all things for good for His children (Romans 8:28).
We see God’s sovereignty in action throughout the pages of Scripture. For example, in (Daniel 2:21) we read: “…He removes kings and raises up kings…” And in (Genesis 50:20) we read how God used Joseph’s evil brothers for good: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
I have found in my own walk with the Lord when suffering hits, knowing that God has not only allowed it but that He will use if for ultimate good, gives me great comfort. And knowing that the Holy Spirit lives within me and He grieves right along side of me when I am dealing with suffering, really helps me never get angry or upset with God, because I know that He hurts when I hurt.
Sadly, many Christians get disappointed with God when trials come their way because they make the fatal mistake of confusing life with God. Clearly life is full of unfair things. Accidents happen. Disease happens. And death at an early age happens to many. This is life and quite frankly I feel when these things happen we can curse the inequities of life, but not God, since as I said above, God grieves with me when I am hurting because He lives inside of me. Why He sometimes allows trials and tragedies, we may never know, but that is where we have to understand that God is a good God and His ways are higher than our ways. And never forget that life, for the Christian, is training for eternity, and trials are part of the training course.
Knowing that God loves me so much that He sent His Son to die for me, that Jesus has gone on ahead to prepare a mansion in heaven for me, and that He will never leave me or forsake me, gives me the strength to endure the trials and sufferings that come my way, and in fact, even praise Him during my ordeal. My friends, God is indeed a good God, and His sovereignty over the affairs of men gives me the confidence that He always has my back!