April 2 -- "A Turn of Affairs"

 Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 10

"A Turn of Affairs"

Sometimes we have a hard time understanding God’s sovereign will. At times He causes (or fails to cause) certain events to take place that we wonder about. We wonder why He allows situations that we deem troublesome or adverse into our lives, our families, our communities, and our nation. What we fail to recognize is that God is sovereign and will do as He pleases, even when we don’t fully understand His actions. 

The Lord has a way of fulfilling His word. Once His will has been established, He can change situations and turn affairs in such a way so as to fulfill His word. Here, in 2 Chronicles 10:15, we read that the king’s decision not to lighten the citizens’ tax burden was “a turn of affairs brought about by God that the Lord might fulfill his word.” The underlying cause of Rehoboam’s decision was God, Himself.

The Easton's Bible Dictionary defines God's sovereignty as His "absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure." In this case, the division of the kingdom looked like a tragedy, but it was part of God’s plan for His people.

Because God is sovereign, we must learn to submit to His will.  The Bible is pretty clear, teaching that God sovereignly directs people, circumstances and events. “All the people of the earth are nothing compared to Him. He has the power to do as He pleases among the angels of heaven and with those who live on earth. No one can stop Him or challenge Him, saying, ‘What do You mean by doing these things?’” (Daniel 4:35)

There are times when God brings about a turn of affairs that is to our liking. Perhaps we get that promotion we’ve been praying for. Or, found out that our “crush” is interested in us. Or, when a neighbor we have hurt offers forgiveness and reconciliation. We rejoice in these types of turn of events. But we must always remember that difficulties and adversity are tools in God’s sovereign hands with which He shapes us into the image of Jesus Christ. He may bring about a turn of events in our lives that we dislike or don’t understand. In those moments, we must submit to His will and trust that what seems like a tragedy to us is just the unfolding of His plan.

Be encouraged: Your loving God is still in control, and He is sovereignly directing your life. And though you may not fully understand, be assured that He will work all things together for your good. (Romans 8:28)