God is the Author

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Job 9:23 & 24
23When disaster brings sudden death,
he mocks at the calamity of the innocent.
24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked;
he covers the faces of its judges—
if it is not he, who then is it?

Acts 13:28 & 29
28And though they found in him (Jesus) no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb.

Job understood that God is always in control. So often people place satan in control when bad things happen. They say that satan is attacking them, as if God has let down His guard or taken a vacation leaving an open point of attack. Job never once mentions satan or the devil. He doesn't even acknowledge that satan exist nor that he has power. Job doesn't blame satan for his lot, instead, he knows that God is ultimately in control and that if this is happening to him, God must want it to happen to him. Jesus was without sin. He was blameless and guiltless. Yet, God wanted Him to be a sacrifice for the salvation of the world, and Jesus welcomed God's will. The important thing to see here is that Jesus' life was a fulfillment of what was written. God has already written out the story of my life, just as He had already written out the story of Job's life. It's not true, nor is it righteous to point to satan as the author of our fate, even if we are struggling through trials and pain.

So often, I'm like Eve, pointing to the serpent and saying, "He caused me to sin." The devil cannot make me do anything that God has not already determined. Why do I give the devil so much power? Why do I even acknowledge him? Yes, I acknowledge that spiritual warfare is happening. Yes, I know that satan does desire me to sin, but is he as powerful as God? No way! He can't do a thing without God already knowing about it. Why then do I use the devil as a scapegoat whenever I sin? Truly, when I sin, it is because I am the one choosing disobedience and God already knew I would choose it. God is almighty. He is supreme. He is all knowing. He has my life written out. Is that something I should be upset about? No! Why should I be? Do I have any right to be angry that the Creator of all things has a plan for me? No way! If He created me, then I must have a specific purpose. If he created me, then I must have a plan attached to my design. If in this plan, he ordains trials, suffering, and persecution for my life, do I have any right to be angry at Him? No. But do I get angry at Him sometimes? Yes. Do I blame satan for the bad stuff in my life? Yes. Are those sins? Definitely. Woah. That is some major conviction. Today and always, may I make it a point to know in my heart and mind and show in my actions that God is always in control. He is the author of my life, and I'm so glad for that.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the revelation that occurred in me today. I know that You chose this day to be the day that I understand Your sovereignty and almighty power. Forgive me, Lord, for sinning. Among other things, I've given satan power in my life that he truly does not have, I've exalted my own will above Your perfect will, and I've prayed for others that Your will would somehow change so that they could change from a bad situation to a good one. But Lord, I'm sorry. I don't want to contribute to this false notion that we can change Your ultimate plan. I want Your will to be done. I pray for Your will to be done. It is the best and it is for good. Lord, thank You for being the author of my life. I thank You for the purpose You have created me for. I praise You, Lord. I love You. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.