“The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.” Proverbs 16:33

Last evening I was listening to the memorial service of John MacArthur on YouTube, and one of the things that stood out to me was the testimony given by his son, Matt. He related the time his mother and sister were in an “horrific” automobile accident that put his mom in the ICU with a broken neck. When his father arrived, he gave him the news and said to him, “it doesn’t look good.” His dad simply put his hand on his shoulder and in complete calm said, “Son, God is sovereign and in complete control.”

I have often said that I take great comfort in the sovereignty of God, but I’m ashamed to admit that I often react to circumstances in ways that contradict that statement. I wonder if I would be able to face severe testing the way MacArthur did. Recently, some very difficult circumstances have befallen people in our church and as I witness their faith amidst the trials, I’m reminded once again that the Lord really is in control.

Solomon’s proverb reminds us that even the smallest details of our lives are under the jurisdiction of divine Providence. His father David wrote, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD.” (Psalm 37:23) Think of that: not the life of a good man, or his journeys, but the individual steps. If the Lord disposes how the lot falls how much the events of our lives?

Humility says, I don’t know what the Lord is doing but I’ll trust Him because He is not only sovereign but He is also good.

Jesus exhorted His disciples against anxiety by reminding them that the hairs of their heads were all numbered and that not a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the Father’s control. The truth of that statement should bring a great calm to our spirits and relieve our minds of any anxiety. Believing Jesus’ words and claiming them in the midst of adversity brings a peace that surpasses comprehension.

Not only does living in light of God’s providence bring peace to our hearts, it also enhances our witness. My cousin gave his heart to Jesus when he saw the grace of God in his sister after her teenage son was killed in a tragic accident. Responding in complete trust amid the storms of life is a powerful witness to the genuineness of our faith (see 1 Perter 1:7).

Finally, I would say trusting in the sovereignty of God is a mark of humility. When we react in anger or frustration to adversity we are, in a sense, saying we know better than God how things should be. Humility says, I don’t know what the Lord is doing but I’ll trust Him because He is not only sovereign but He is also good.

I’ll leave you today with some words of wisdom from Charles Spurgeon:

You are meddling with Christ’s business and neglecting your own when you fret about your lot and circumstances. You have been trying “providing” work and forgetting that it is yours to obey. Be wise and attend to the obeying and let Christ manage the providing. Come and survey your Father’s storehouse, and ask whether he will let you starve while he has laid up so great an abundance in his garner? Look at his heart of mercy; see if that can ever prove unkind! Look at his inscrutable wisdom; see if that will ever be at fault.

Above all, look up to Jesus Christ your Intercessor, and ask yourself, while he pleads, can your Father deal ungraciously with you? If he remembers even sparrows, will he forget one of the least of his poor children?