We’ve often heard the phrase “God is in control,” but what exactly does this mean? And do we have Scripture to back it up?
What Does “God Is in Control” Mean?
1.“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).
Since God was there in the beginning, it is safe to assume that God was in control. If God was in control, then God is still in control. The Trinity working in cooperation with God are in control. The Trinity is the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost. “And God made the firmament and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament and it was so” (Genesis 1:7). God gives man free will, but He does have laws and commandments. Life is easier for man if he abides by the rules and commandments.
God had a set time for the children of Israel to come out of bondage. God told the devil that he could take all that Job had, but that he could not take his life. God was in control then, and He is still in control. I have often heard people say that “God won’t put no more on you than you can bear.” I believe this to be true. Sometimes, it feels as though we cannot bear it, but through prayer and clinging to and depending on God, we can.
Is God Really in Control? How Do We Know?
How do we know that God is in control? There are many examples throughout Scripture that let us know that God is in control. Let us look at Job. The devil asked permission to touch Job.
2. “And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So, Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord” (Job 1:12). Job is constantly lifted for his faith. He suffered many calamities but remained committed to God.
Moses went before Pharaoh and told him that God said to release the children of Israel. Many of us have seen The Ten Commandments movie which so eloquently brought this section of the Bible to life. We know they spiced up the story to make it appeal to a broad audience, but it is a good example of God being in control and a king or Pharaoh fighting the will of God, but ultimately submitting to the change and move of God (Exodus 5). God was in control.
3. “Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness” (Exodus 5:1).
It took several plagues before Pharaoh bowed to God’s will. God was in control every step of the way. Pharaoh was stubborn and wanted to change the will and authority of God. It did not work, and Pharaoh suffered greatly for this. God had promised to bring Israel into the Promised Land. They had to leave Egypt to do that.
4. “God is not a man that He should lie nor a son of man that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good” (Number 23:19). This verse is proof positive that God is in control. God cannot and will not lie. He told the children of Israel about the Promised Land, and He was not going to let Pharaoh or any man get in the way of what He has promised his people.
One of the true ways that we know that God is in control is that he devised a path of redemption for man after the fall. You know the story of Adam and Eve. Eve convinced Adam to eat of the forbidden tree after she was deceived by the serpent. The two were banished from the Garden of Eden. Now, sin is in the land.
5. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace”(Ephesians 1:7). A plan for fallen man lets us know who is in control.
Is There Anything that God Cannot Do?
I am sure you know many people who should have been dead, but lives were spared in an accident or a fire. Look at Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:16-28). This is a true story that God was in control.
6. “Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counselors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O King. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have not hurt: and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God” (Daniel 3: 24-25).
That is enough to shout on right there. That is proof positive that God is in control of every situation. When we invite Him in, he shows up to assist us. Even if we have not called Him yet. The word declares:
7. “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24).
Nebuchadnezzar called forth Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace. They had not been burned, nor did they smell like smoke (Daniel 3:27). The king promoted the trio after that and declared that no one would speak against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Is there anything too hard for God?
What Does the Bible Say about God Being in Control?
We know from certain scriptures that discuss God’s will that God is in control.
8. “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will” (Ephesians 1:11).
The Bible reminds us that God is in control. It says:
9. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God; to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
We know that as a leader God is in control. The word says:
10. “For the kingdom is the Lord’s: and he is the governor among the nations” (Psalm 21:28).
It is best to submit to God’s leadership. We know that God is a jealous God because one of His commandments declares that He will have no other God before Him (Exodus 20:3). Even though God says His commandments are not grievous, God longs for us to partner with Him to help humanity and win souls. He gives us free will but will make things difficult if He is challenging us toward His purpose. God wants us to rest from our struggle because He is in control. In Philippians, we find: “Be careful for nothing: but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
You can continue to search the Scripture and know that God is in control. Even His name means Omnipotent, all-knowing, and the Everlasting God.
Further Reading
10 Bible Verses to Remember That God is in Control
God is in Control Bible Verses
How the Bible Assures Us That God Is in Control
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Lolo Stock
Dr. Sandra Hamer Smith is a Christian and wife to Sylvester Smith. She has one stepson, Greg. Smith lives and resides in Memphis, Tennessee. The University of Memphis alumnae has been in education for about 20 years after receiving the call to teach. Dr. Smith primarily teaches language arts. Prior to education, she worked in local and national television news for 13 years including positions as an overnight news anchor, reporter, and assignments editor at two local network affiliate stations. Smith was also a freelance correspondent for BET news. Dr. Smith has freelanced for the Tri-State Defender newspaper and Contempora magazine. She is the author of the self-published novel GLORY…THE HAIR. Smith is also a playwright and poet. The Tennessee native is a member of Temple of Deliverance COGIC, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc, Omicron Delta Kappa, The Golden Key International Honour Society, and Kappa Delta Pi.