Hands Off!

“And we know that all things work together for good. . .” (Romans 8:28a)

Never doubt that God is in control of not only your life but everything. Yet, although in charge, not all that happens is good. However, God does not instigate or engage in any evil—He cannot act contrary to Himself. People commit evil acts, not God, stemming from defiled hearts and wickedness running rampant in this fallen world. People are the abusers of other people, committing all sorts of inappropriate and despicable acts. While evil abounds, God’s Spirit and divine intervention are at work. Yet God’s promise is not for everyone but “to them, that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (v. 28b)—His children who love Him (present tense), walking in obedience (now).

Whenever difficulties arise, God and the Holy Spirit work on behalf of the faithful ones in right standing with Him. The “all things” are the troubles, trials, and misfortunes that come to us, yet work for our good—pointing us to look to God for help and our final home in heaven, exposing the truth of ourselves and producing a changed disposition (Psalm 119:71; Hebrews 12:11). If you believe this truth, your faith will be put to the test when you find yourself amid circumstances that make no sense. God always supplies a way to escape life’s temptations and turmoil’s effects (1 Corinthians 10:13). 

Belief in the One who holds and controls all of eternity will remind you to look to Him for reassurance, guidance, and safekeeping. But grasping situations that are not yours to handle—being the providence in someone’s life—can land you going the wrong way on a one-way street with unintended detours and pitfalls! Meddling not only disrupts God’s plan for your life; your actions affect others as well. So, hands-off. Let God carry out His strategy uninterrupted. His plan is best for everyone involved who loves and serves Him. Thank Him today that He is always at work in His children's lives; our responsibility is total submission to Him.