In view of the growing unrest and violence throughout the world and which often has the effect of causing distraction and disquietude among God's people, it is good to know that the Lord is above it all. "[He] worketh all things after the counsel of His own will" (Ephesians 1:11).

Another has well said: "The persecuting emperor little thought what he was giving to us when he banished the apostle John to Patmos; no more than Augustus, in his political plans as to the census of the empire, knew he was sending a poor carpenter to Bethlehem, with his espoused wife, that Christ might be born there; or the Jews and Pilate's soldiers, that they were sending the thief to heaven, when they broke his legs in heartless respect for their own superstitions and ordinances. God's ways are behind the scenes; but He moves all the scenes which He is behind. We have to learn this, and let Him work, and not think much of man's busy movements; they will accomplish God's. The rest of them will disappear. We have only peacefully to do His will" (J.N. Darby).

"Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain" (Psalm 76:10). May this child-like confidence characterize us more, knowing that nothing can possibly take place without Divine permission. Thus we will experience that "In quietness and in confidence [in God] shall be our strength" (Isaiah 30:15).

—James F. Paulsen