Is God In Control Of Even Accidents? Thoughts On The Providence Of God

The Bible teaches plainly, Old Testament and New alike, that God is not only the Creator of the world, but he also upholds it, directs it, rules over it and moves it to accomplish his will, according to his eternal decree in eternity past.  God "works all things according to the counsel of his will" (Ephesians 1:11), which means that God is active in ALL things, making them work out according to his plan.  No creature's will can throw a wrench into his plans, for "he does all that he pleases" (Psalm 115:3), and "no purpose of yours can be thwarted (Job 42:2).  In fact, God does not apologize for his providence, but delights in his sovereign power, declaring through Isaiah:

for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ ...I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.  Isaiah 42:9-11, ESV

God is glorified in his providence! 

It is not just that God has power to turn things around and make them work out for the best, as if he were a cosmic maid going around and cleaning up our messes; Scripture makes it clear that God has purposed all that happens - has decreed it from eternity past, and now powerfully works to align all things with his word.

It is amazing to see the specific things Scripture attributes to the sovereign providence of God!  Even the roll of the dice - "chance" itself - is declared to be controlled by God's power, according to his everlasting decree (Proverbs 16:33)!  What about "accidents"?  If chance does not exist apart from God's control, can there even be such a thing as an accident?  Scripture attributes even 'accidental' deaths to the providence of God ("...God let him fall into his hand" Exodus 21:13).  Jesus himself believes in the sovereign providence of God, and taught that God controls even the death of birds!  He said that not even a sparrow can fall to the ground apart from the will of God (Matthew 10:29).

What about the weather?  God is shown to raise up the storm, and then calm it (Psalm 107:25, 29).  God is said to be in control of supplying his creation with food (Psalm 136:25).  Even the heart and mind of man is not off limits to the ruling King of the universe!  He turns the heart, even of earthly kings, "wherever he will" (Proverbs 21:1), and "it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).  Both to will and to work?  This means that God is able to cause us to "will" what he wants us to will, while we remain responsible!  Oh, the mysterious - yet glorious - providence of God!

This teaching was not given to us so that we would have endless debates about it, softening its meaning and finding ways to still elevate man.  It was also not given to us so that we could be self-righteous and prideful in our knowledge of Bible doctrine.  It was given to us so that we may glorify the God who powerfully works all things according to the counsel of his will, and "upholds the universe by the word of his power (Hebrews 1:3)!  So that we may know him and love him and rest in his sovereign power when we are in the midst of trials, knowing that a good God is in control.  Glorify the sovereign Lord!

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! ...For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.   Romans 11:33, 36, ESV

Jesus Created Satan

That's an eye-catcher, isn't it?
But is it true? Who made the devil?
God did, right?

Yes, but more specifically the Bible says that Jesus Christ created him.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made...And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."
John 1:1-3, 14 (ESV)

Some people say Jesus himself was created. But here God's word is careful to say that "all things were made through him" (Jesus). All things. And then, just to make sure we get it, he says, "and without him was not any thing made that was made." I'm so glad the word of God tells us this! According to this verse Jesus could not have been "made" because all things that were made, were made by him! If he had been made, he would have had to make himself. Instead, he "was" in the beginning with God. So the uncreated, eternally-existing Son of God created all things. Wow.

"For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him." Colossians 1:16 (ESV)

Now Paul tells us the same truth in Colossians. Verse 13 has told us that Paul is speaking about Jesus. Now he tells us that all things were created by him. And he gives us one example: thrones, dominions, rulers, authorities. By Paul's use of this terminiology in other places (Col 2:15, Eph 6:12) we understand that he is speaking of the devil and demons. Evil spirits. Enemies of God. Jesus created Satan!

Has that truth hit you? There's not two gods up there vying for control (dualism). Jesus and Satan are not brothers (Mormonism). Jesus is not a created being (Jehovah's Witnesses). Jesus is the Creator, and he made Satan!

Now the same Jesus who created all things also rules over all things (even Satan) as Sovereign Lord and King: "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power" (Heb 1:3, ESV); "The Lord Jesus Christ...by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself" (Phil 3:21, ESV).
So Jesus is in control of his creation, which includes the devil. When he made him, he was King over him. When he took on flesh and became an infant in his mother's womb, he was ruling over Satan. And even when Jesus died on the cross and his lifeless body was placed in the tomb, he was at that moment victorious and omnipotent over the devil! Behold the glory of Jesus Christ!

I've dealt with the "why" Jesus created Satan, and the fact that Jesus did not create him evil, in another post (http://hisbloodatones.blogspot.com/2008/10/problem-of-evil.html). But the simple truth that Jesus did in fact create the devil sunk in a little bit recently and filled me again with awe in my Savior. I wanted to pass it on to you. So look to the victorious One! Glorify Jesus, the Creator and Lord of all things!!