The following is an excerpt from my book The River:
Inevitably we all have heard or perhaps used the phrase at some time, “God is in control.” We hear this most often when facing a difficult situation or something that we do not fully understand. But is God really in control? Certainly, God is omniscient (all knowing), sovereign (all powerful) and reserves the right to control everything. But is He in control? More specifically—has He chosen to be in control—or has He given the control part over to us? Certainly, He is in charge and can do whatever and whenever He wants. His power and authority are not to be questioned. However, God does not control our thoughts and actions. He is not in control of evil people, or responsible for sickness or disease. Can He intervene? Can He take charge of a situation? Absolutely He can. But for the most part—the responsibility of bringing God into these situations falls upon our shoulders. We have the responsibility to pray—to intercede.
All too often we hear people say, “It must be meant to be.” Or probably even more familiar phrase is “Everything happens for a reason.” These things are merely assumed without anyone taking on any responsibility to intercede in prayer about the situation. After all, Prayer is “our” responsibility and we cannot take ourselves out of the equation. This is God’s plan. Jesus is our role model, and He taught us to pray “your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”[i] The fact remains—we have a good and loving Father. His plan is for us to know Him as a loving Father who wants to Bless and give good gifts to His children.
“Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”(Matt. 7:9-11)
[i] Matthew 6:10
God bless you today friends as you see your place in God’s plan. We are all called to pray…to intercede. This is by God’s design.
Blessed by the Best,
Mark
See You in the River 