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Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Amish farm, Lancaster County PA
Amish farm in Lancaster County, PA
Photo by Mike Book

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"Everything's Under Control"

"In putting everything under Him, God left nothing that is not subject to Him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to Him" (Hebrews 2:8).

Hebrews is written to believers who are undergoing persecution and the concern of the writer is that they will not "drift away" (2:1).  The book is full of encouragement to stay faithful.  Later in the book we read this statement regarding the type of persecution these dear believers personally knew: "You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions" (10:34).

Do you know people in prison who are there because of their faith?  Have you personally had your possessions confiscated in a ruthless persecution effort? Do you have friends who suffered or perhaps were martyred for their stand for Christ? The fact is, due to the international distribution of these messages, some of you can say yes to one or more of the above questions.  We recently received a note from a brother in a country well known for oppresive persecution of Christians. But most of us, particularly in North America, would have to say "no".

"In putting everything under Him, God left nothing that is not subject to Him." What an astounding assurance this brings. It is a statement of God's sovereignty and control. He indeed rules over the affairs of men.  Consider Daniel's prayer,  "Praise be to the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him" (Daniel 2:20-22).

But the candid recognition in the latter part of the daily verse particularly grips my heart as I study this message. "Yet at present we do not see everything subject to Him."

I sure can identify with that.  By faith I believe "God left nothing that is not subject to Him."  But that's not what I see.  We have been gripped by the terrible scenes out of Haiti. I read of my brethren in many lands undergoing horrific persecution.  I see the downward moral spiral of our country day after day.  

No, at the present I don't see everything subject to Him.  I see so much that appears not to be.  But by faith I do believe that ultimately everything and everyone is.

Your situation today: You scratch your head and wonder how your present situation will work out.  Will this be the day I'm "positioned out" of the company?  What is God's will for my life?  What will the doctor's report be?  And the list goes on and on.

Today's encouragement is that God is not asleep.  There's no memory lapse, no inability, no sloppy bookkeeping.  We may not see everything under His control but it most assuredly is, based on the authority of His Word.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, You reveal deep and hidden things. You know what lies in darkness and light dwells with You.  As we are exposed to the dark sins of this world it is consoling and strengthening to know that Your light dwells within us, for greater is He that is within us than he that is in the world.  We are encouraged as we remember that "where sin abounds grace doth much more abound".  We will not be defeated if we walk by faith, rather than sight.  It is not what we see with our eyes or hear with our ears, but it is what we receive by faith through Your Word that will keep us going onward and upward, until You call us out of this world of sin. Strengthen and teach us until that great event takes place.  Amen.



Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

Click on the link to open and play.
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)

"Like A River Glorious"  Video  

"Blessed Be Your Name"  Video  Matt Redman

"Praise You In The Storm"  Video  Casting Crowns

"God Is In Control"  Video
  Twila Paris

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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