Atrocities in the world flash across our screens daily. Newspapers detail the horrors of terrorism, torture, murder and injustice. People around us crumble under the weight of relationship strife, bereavement, illness and more. Our own lives too, at times, plunge to the depths.
And sometimes, just sometimes, the question crosses our mind: has God really got everything under control?
Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, couldn't have been more convinced about the answer.
Jesus is in control of the physical world
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (Colossians 1:15)
There isn't a corner of the world which has been forgotten. There isn't a war or patch of poverty that has escaped his gaze. All things live under his overarching rule. And there are no exceptions.
Jesus is in control of the spiritual world
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:16-17)
Evil is real. And Satan is thrashing around, causing as much carnage as he can. For a while, Jesus is letting him but he's on a leash and his ultimate defeat is sure. Jesus is not in a battle with evil where the outcome is up for grabs - the evil one's days are numbered.
Jesus is in control of the church
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Colossians 1:18-20)
Jesus loves the church. He started it when he rose from the dead and poured out his Spirit. He grows the church. He leads the church. He defines the church. So no matter what horrors pass our view, we can be confident the church is not about to die.
Jesus is in control of individual lives
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation – if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. (Colossians 1:21-23)
And, as for us ... every believer is precious in the sight of the Lord. Chosen, called, loved, saved, adopted, in-dwelt and heading for a glorious future. No power of evil, no scheme of man can separate us from our eternal relationship with our maker.
So let's be confident. The world may be a mess of rebellion and pain. There are things that rightfully make us cry. But there is no place for doubting in the sovereignty of God ... He is in control. There is a plan. He is bringing pain in the midst of terror and Christlikeness in the middle of war. And when he returns, he will bring peace for those who believe in him. Peace that will never end. Of that we can be sure.
John Robertson