Principles to Remember in Crisis: God Is Sovereign

Recently in the first post of this series, we revealed that the Apostle Paul provided two vital steps to persevere in trials or crisis. The first step, in a world with false teachers, false belief systems, and false hope, the Apostle reminds us to stand firm in what we know. The second step is to hold fast the traditions which we have been taught or learned from the Word. We simply identified those steps as: (1) Remember key principles and (2) Obey practical steps to encourage our perseverance. In today’s post we embark on Principles to Remember in Crisis. Today’s principle: God is sovereign.

God is sovereign (Mark 4:35-41).

When we teach, “God is sovereign,” we mean, God is in control of the world around us. It is His world. Although God interacts with us in time and space individually and corporately, time and space reside in His control. He is from everlasting to everlasting. God created the world and everything in it. It functions under His control and direction. This includes your crisis or pressures.

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” (Mark 4:35-41)

This episode in the life of Jesus and His disciples demonstrates God’s control over nature. He is in control of the world around us no differently than He was nature out on the Sea of Galilee. Knowing He controlled the wind and the sea, Jesus slept comfortably in the midst of this storm. He asks the disciples why they were so fearful. Essentially, He wanted to know why they did not have faith that He was in control.

Likewise, the Old Testament provides many examples of that same kind of power. Joseph proclaimed that God is powerful enough to overcome man’s evil choices for His good (Genesis 50:20). In Job, we get the inside scoop of God’s powerful control when God brings a windstorm to accomplish His purposes (Job 1). Jonah is another clear demonstration of God’s power working to His end (Jonah 1:4).

The challenge for every believer then is to see the larger landscape of God’s plan in any particular circumstance, rather than focusing only on the immediate particulars of the situation and one’s experience of it. In other words, trust God. Rest in the fact that God’s plan includes this episode. The circumstantial pressures you feel in this moment fit inside God’s plan of redemption for you. God provides eternal comfort to us knowing that He saves, sanctified, and guarantees glorification.

God uses His control for your good. He actively participates in your life. He knows you and providentially provides for you in the midst of your crisis.

Main Page for this Series: Crisis Management for the Believer

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