“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

One of the most important understandings of Christian theology is reality of the second coming of Christ and the final judgment. Both these realities speak of God’s providence and sovereignty.

• God’s providence means that God has a plan and purpose for our world
• God’s sovereignty means that God is in control

Here is why this is so important.

The world you and I live in screams “There is no God.” “God is dead.” “If there is a God, and God is good, how could such atrocities take place?”

God’s answer to these questions is God’s providence and sovereignty.

You see, I don’t know how what’s happening in Afghanistan, Haiti, Louisiana is good. I don’t know how the threats against women and Christians by the Taliban will work for the good. In the same way, I don’t know how the deaths of six million Jews under Hitler was good. I don’t know.

But I thank God for God’s providence and sovereignty. You see, what God’s providence and sovereignty promises me is that there will come a day when all will have to bow their knees at the name of Jesus and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.

That includes the Nazis. That includes the Taliban.

Christ followers will bow our knees in worship and joy. Christ-followers will delightfully declare with our tongues that Jesus is Lord.

The Taliban and the Nazis too will bow their knees in abject horror at the reality that their actions and deeds are coming under judgment. And to the terror of the Taliban and Nazis, they will confess with their tongues, “Oh no! Jesus really is Lord!”

God’s providence and sovereignty absolutely matters.

Without it, the Taliban and the Nazis go free without judgment against them. And that would be the most horrific injustice.

So, Christian. Know this: “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

“Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you” (Psalm 55:22).

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

These days, I can’t read verses like this without thinking about the devastation left by Hurricane Ida, Haiti, the nightmare of Afghanistan and the Taliban, the rising number of Covid cases in our country and the world around us.

I can’t help but wonder what it would be like a Christian in Afghanistan who have been visited by the Taliban telling them, “We know who you are and we are coming to get you.”

These Bible promises of God’s comfort and care read differently when I place myself in the place of Afghan Christians in a country ruled by the Taliban.

I know. This has been a stressful and exhausting season. And, instead of getting easier, it only seems to get worse.

What more can happen? I thought we were almost out of this whole Covid thing. Instead, we’re seeing some of the worst numbers. And to top it off, Afghanistan, Taliban, Haiti, Hurricane Ida. How much more, Lord?

Come on! God, what is going on?!?!

If you’re feeling that, I get it. I feel that too.

So, what are we supposed to do with God’s promises when living in a world that seems out of control? What’s more true? God’s promises or the reality of our world?

First thing to know: God’s promises are true. When we go to God with our burdens, he takes care of us. He gives us rest.

If God gives us his care and rest, how come I don’t feel it right now?

The truth of God’s comfort and care doesn’t mean life is without its trials and difficulties. Trusting and believing in God doesn’t mean that God removes us from the world that is full of suffering and trials. Trusting and believing in God does mean that God will use suffering and trials to bring about his kingdom. God gives suffering and trials purpose and meaning. Nothing is wasted. Not one tear. Not one prayer. Not one hope.

The thing that we want is for God to establish the fullness of the kingdom of God in our lifetime. We want to see God’s fullness right now, in our lifetime. But God doesn’t think in life times. God’s kingdom purpose is multi-generational. It is eternal.

We get to be a part of God’s kingdom building that spans the generations and lifetimes.

I don’t get suffering and trials. I don’t like them either. I hate the thought of Afghan Christians under the threat of the Taliban. I don’t know how martyrdom is good.

But, ultimately, my job isn’t to “get it” and understand God’s plan. My job is to trust God’s plan and join God in establishing his kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. And, that’s your job too.

Take your burdens to God. Let him know how you’re feeling. Let him know your hurts. And receive his rest and care. Be reminded of God’s eternal, multi-generational kingdom plan. God’s plan is much, much bigger than our lifespan.

Trust God. Be encouraged.

“We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

There is much happening in our world I don’t understand.

• I don’t understand the chaos of Afghanistan
• I don’t understand the devastation of the people of Haiti
• I don’t understand the division of people in our country, our congregation over things like the vaccine and masks
• The Taliban have been visiting Afghan Christians and telling them, “We know who you are. We will come back to get you.”

I don’t understand any of this. I don’t understand how any of this can turn out for the good. I don’t understand how the martyrdom and the senseless persecution of Afghan Christians by the Taliban can turn out for the good.

There is so much that is happening in our world that I don’t understand.

But here’s the thing. My job isn’t to understand. My job is to trust God.

Because God is at work to establish his kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven whether I can see it or understand it. God’s work and purposes don’t depend on my understanding.

God declares:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your thoughts. As the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:8-11).

I needed that. I needed this reminder.

God is good. God is at work whether I understand it or not. That’s not my job. My job is to trust God.