Central Truth

World events and leaders have no real power unless God, the Creator of the universe, allows it.

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Reflections

Every day when I read the newspaper or tune in to local, national and world events on television, I realize the “Kings of the earth” (Acts 4:26a) have not changed much since Paul the Apostle lived. They are still taking their stand, raging, and devising futile things. They are consistently “gathered together against the Lord”(Acts 4:26b). For a brief moment, I might have anxious thoughts about the future. Let’s be honest: the happenings we read and hear about in our neighborhoods, cities and our world are real and seemingly out of control!

However, as verse 24 in this passage assures us, it is God “who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them.” We can pray and speak God’s Word with confidence knowing the One who created everything has the power to keep it under His control. It does not matter how it seems to us who are reading and hearing the daily news.

I was reminded of this truth in God’s Word this past Christmas season when my three-and-a-half year old granddaughter performed in a program with her pre-school class. She sang at the top of her little lungs “He’s got the whole world in His hands” (repeated) then, “He’s got you and me brother in His hands” (again, repeated), and “He’s got the little bitty baby in His hands” (repeated, again). I was, of course, a proud grandmother for the first few minutes. However, when I realized the depth of the lyrics, my eyes filled with tears of joy and gladness.  My sweet granddaughter was reminding me about God’s provision for us. He does have the whole world in His hands. It’s because of God’s power we do not need to worry about the daily headlines. We can rest in the truth that God not only knows those headlines before we do but He also has the solutions! 

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Discussion Questions

1. How do you respond to the day’s news?

2. With whom can you discuss these thoughts if/when you experience uncertainty or anxiety?

3. What are some positive things you can do this year to depend more on the Lord and His security and less on yourself?

4. If you are not yet a follower of Jesus Christ, would you read this Acts 4 passage as security or as a threat to your belief system?

5. If you are a follower of Jesus, how can you make a difference in your group of family/friends/acquaintances if you begin to believe the truth that God is in control regardless of the news?       

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