“Peace is within reach, not for lack of problems, but because of the presence of a sovereign Lord. Rather than rehearse the chaos of the world, rejoice in the Lord’s sovereignty, as Paul did.”- Max Lucado
“There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.”- Proverbs 21:30 (NIV)
As Max Lucado continues Chapter 2 of Anxious for Nothing, he reminds us it’s impossible for us to take control. Because control’s not ours to take in the first place! Therefore, we need a better idea. And the Bible provides it. Instead of seeking total control, we must relinquish it. While we can’t run the world, we can entrust the world to God.
Therefore, Pastor Lucado underscores, the apostle Paul entrusted even his miserable prison conditions to God’s sovereignty. Thus, Max exhorts us to apply Paul’s words to our lives. Max writes:
“To read Paul is to read the words of a man who, in the innermost part of his being, believed in the steady hand of a good God. He was protected by God’s strength, preserved by God’s love. He lived beneath the shadow of God’s wings. Do you? Stabilize your soul with the sovereignty of God. He reigns supreme over every detail of the universe.”
Consequently, when troubled times come, God always supplies the same answer: He occupies the throne in heaven. In the Old Testament, God gave that message to the prophet Isaiah. After fifty-five years of relative peace, King Uzziah died. That gave Isaiah ample cause for worry. Yet, just like Isaiah, God has a message for us when calamity strikes.
Although Uzziah’s reign ended with his death, God’s reign continued. Death silences Uzziah’s voice, but God’s voice remained strong. In addition, since God’s alive and on the throne, He’s worthy of worship.
Today’s question: What Bible verses place peace within your reach? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “How your anxiety decreases”