God's Control Over the World (Or Lack Thereof)

Have you ever wondered who is in charge of this mess we call the world? Is it God, the Almighty and benevolent Creator, or is it Satan, the cunning and malicious Destroyer? How can we explain the existence of evil and suffering in a world that is supposed to be good and perfect? How can we understand the role of human free will and responsibility in a world that is supposed to be under God’s plan and purpose?

The Bible, the holy and inspired Word of God, gives us some answers to these questions, but not all. We must admit that there are some things that are beyond our comprehension, and we must trust God’s wisdom and love, even when we do not understand His ways. However, the Bible also reveals some things that can make us question God’s control over the world.

First, the Bible affirms that God is sovereign, which means that He can do whatever He wants with His creation. God knows everything and can do anything. The Bible emphasizes God’s sovereignty in many passages, such as:

• Psalm 103:19: “The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.” (Except when it doesn’t)
• Daniel 4:35: “All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” (Except when they can)
• Ephesians 1:11: “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.” (Except when He doesn’t)

Second, the Bible acknowledges that evil is real, and that this world is often attacked by spiritual forces that are not from God but from Satan. Satan is a fallen angel who rebelled against God and became the leader of a bunch of demons who hate God and His people. Satan is called the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2) and the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4), who has a lot of influence and authority over this messed up world. The Bible also tells us that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19), and that we are in a spiritual war against the tricks of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-18).

However, the Bible also makes it clear that Satan’s power is limited and temporary, and that he is ultimately under God’s will and judgment. Satan is not equal to God, nor is he independent of God. He is a created being who can only do what God allows him to do, and he cannot stop God’s plan and purpose. The Bible assures us that God is in control of everything that happens, even evil things, and that He can use them for His glory and our good. The Bible gives us some examples of how God can use evil for good, such as:

• The story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers, but later became the ruler of Egypt and saved his family from famine. He said to his brothers, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive” (Genesis 50:20). (But why did God allow evil in the first place?)
• The story of Job, who suffered greatly from the attacks of Satan, but later was restored and blessed by God. He said to God, “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2). (But why did God let Satan attack him so much?)
• The story of Jesus, who was crucified by wicked men, but rose again from the dead and achieved our salvation. Peter said to the Jews, “This Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power” (Acts 2:23-24). (But why did God have to kill His own Son to save us?)

Third, the Bible teaches that humans have free will and responsibility, and that they are accountable to God for their choices and actions. God created humans in His image, and gave them the ability to choose between good and evil, and to love and obey Him. However, humans messed up their freedom and sinned against God, and brought death and curse upon themselves and the world. The Bible says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

However, God did not leave humans in their sin and misery, but He provided a way of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again for our justification. The Bible says that “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8), and that “whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). God calls us to repent of our sins and to trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and to follow Him in obedience and faithfulness. The Bible says that “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9), and that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Therefore, we can conclude that God is in control of everything that happens in the world, but He is not the author of evil, nor does He force anyone to do His will. He allows evil and suffering to exist for a time, but He can use them for His glory and our good. He gives us free will and responsibility, but He also offers us grace and mercy through His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the sovereign and loving God, who invites us to trust Him and to submit to Him in all things. He is the God who says, “I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). (But do we really believe Him?)