John Wesley is said to have remarked that he read the newspaper ?to see how God was governing His world,? and this is certainly a biblical approach. God rules over kingdoms and nations (2?Chron. 20:6; Dan. 5:21). As A.?T. Pierson used to say, ?History is His story.? This doesn?t mean that God is to blame for the foolish or wicked decisions and deeds of government officials, but it does mean that He is on the throne and working out His perfect will.

The eminent British historian Herbert Butterfield said, ?Perhaps history is a thing that would stop happening if God held His breath, or could be imagined as turning away to think of something else.? The God who knows the number and the names of the stars (Ps. 147:4) and who sees when the tiniest bird falls to the ground dead (Matt. 10:29) is mindful of the plans and pursuits of the nations and is working out His divine purposes in human history.

Knowing that the Lord reigns over all things ought to encourage the people of God as we watch world events and grieve over the decay of people and nations. God?s ways are hidden and mysterious, and we sometimes wonder why He permits certain things to happen, but we must still pray ?Your will be done? (Matt. 6:10) and then be ready to obey whatever He tells us to do.

Today?s Scripture: "But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light" (Mic. 7:7?8, niv).

Read: Psalm 50

Action assignment: Pursue your meditation of God?s Word throughout the day. Scan several psalms and write out some verses that will encourage you when world events trouble you. A few are Psalms 9:9, 27:5, 32:7, 138:7.