“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen”
~ Rom 11:36
If you’ve been watching the news about the conflict in Afghanistan, you’ve likely seen some pretty horrific videos. Women and children cowering under gunfire, razor wire everywhere, armed militants threatening civilians, etc.
It’s not hard to look at the world these days and find ourselves feeling like God is noticeably absent.
But the Bible tells us something completely different—God is not absent. He is ever-present, and in control of the details all around us. He is sovereign over every complexity, every germ, every mask mandate, every insurrection, every world leader. Nothing stand outside of His control.
But the Bible tells us more. In Romans 11:36, Paul makes a stunning statement. He summarizes his whole point of the entire epistle in this verse.
He uses three prepositions to do it -
First - ‘from Him’ - ALL THINGS come from God. This is talking about His plans for all things from eternity past into eternity future.
Second - ‘through Him’ - ALL THINGS are happening through His sovereign control. He is carrying out these purposes in His wisdom.
And finally - ‘to Him’ - ALL THINGS - everything that is happening everywhere in the world right now are FOR HIS SAKE.
No wonder then that Paul says ‘To Him be the glory!”
Everything is planned for His glory. Everything is happening for His glory. Everything is unto His glory alone.
THAT is the purpose of the world, and that is what is in God’s mind for the universe, the world, and your life!
So as you watch the news, read articles, get tested, wear masks, remember that God is not absent. He is ever-present, ever-sovereign, and ever loving. He will bring about His good purposes in the world, and ultimately, all of it will be for His glory!
