God controls all things

It may be discouraging to some, possibly most of us to see how the nation is in turmoil and continues to do so as the election draws near. Sometimes it seems that God has taken his hands off the wheel and it letting the world it a brick wall. Fortunately he never does relax his control on world affairs. It’s just we can’t often see it through that chaos.

Recently there was a history brought to light from England on the plight of the pilgrims to the new world that became the United States. The persecution being fled by those wasn’t the government at the time but the church.

William Bradford was the first Governor of the Plymouth colony. His background was anything but easy. He was born into wealth but the family lost it. He joined a separatist church in England and they were persecuted to the point where they were forced to meet in their homes. Soon they were discovered by authorities and imprisoned for 30 days. After their release they fled to Amsterdam and set their sights on the New World. When the left, he and his wife had to leave a 3 year old son behind with relatives. The first ship they were going to sail on was found unseaworthy. Upon arriving on the Mayflower, his wife died by drowning. half the people who came over died for various reasons. He remarried sometime later. A sickly fellow he died later at the age of 68. During his life he was elected 31 times (every year) to be the Governor of the Colony. He wrote and extensive history where he saw God’s guiding hand that eventually led to what is the USA today.

Despite hardships on both sides of the Atlantic he was one of many who persevered. Of note he recalled that they were to land at Jamestown in Virginia but for many reasons ended up well north of there in what became Plymouth. Jamestown suffered from hostile Indians but in the Plymouth area they came across two of them that could speak broken English, one, Squanto, learned English by being enslaved in Spain and eventually making is way to England, then back to the New World. They rest is history as they say.

The national persecution of separatist religions was bad got worse 40 years later in England. This prompted many to follow the pilgrims to the New World. So in a way the Pilgrims and William Bradford paved the way to escape from it through God’s plan.

No matter what happens in November know that God is still in charge. When things get bad or fall apart He still is in charge. He still will make things happen according to his will. He will also make a way of escape for you in trials. Through all of these promises found in the bible we know He wins in the end his will is higher than anyone else’s.

Romans 11:33-36 New Century Version (NCV)

Yes, God’s riches are very great, and his wisdom and knowledge have no end! No one can explain the things God decides or understand his ways. As the Scripture says, “Who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been able to give him advice?” “No one has ever given God anything that he must pay back.” Yes, God made all things, and everything continues through him and for him. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Happy Sabbath!

Your brother in Christ,

Steve Koenig