Paul wrote, ‘God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to him as a living sacrifice…Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him’ (v.1-2 CEV). What Paul’s saying is this: 1) Resist the pressures of a world system that tries to pull you in the wrong direction. 2) Renew your mind every day through prayer and reading God’s Word. 3) Recognise His will for you and live accordingly. But Paul doesn’t stop there. He continues: ‘Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good. Love each other as brothers and sisters and honour others more than you do yourself. Never give up. Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord. Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying. Take care of…needy people…Ask God to bless everyone who mistreats you…When others are happy, be happy with them, and when they are sad, be sad. Be friendly with everyone. Don’t be proud and feel that you are smarter than others. Make friends with ordinary people. Don’t mistreat someone who has mistreated you. But try to earn the respect of others, and do your best to live at peace with everyone’ (v.9-18 CEV). God’s sovereignty doesn’t release us from personal responsibility. It doesn’t mean we should lose interest in the news or in making informed decisions. God still expects us to strive for excellence and show concern for a hurting world. Acknowledging God’s sovereignty sets us free from trying to do everything ourselves in our own power, and instead enables us to enjoy walking with Him.

What Now?

Read or listen to today’s news stories. Pray for each one and ask God in His sovereignty to step in and bring wisdom to those involved. And ask if there’s anything you can do that could improve the situation, even in a small way.