God Had A Plan!

God Had A Plan
By Larry d. Wright

“Nothing under God’s control is ever out of control.”
Charles Swindoll

Pain. Problems. Persecution.

The frustrating thing about life is that it is so hard to manage. There are few things that we actually control in life. We cruise along enjoying the ride then, like breaking on an invisible patch of black ice, we spin out of control. Sickness and suffering arrive unannounced like an intruding thief. Problems and pain scream so loud that all other sounds are silenced.

Health erodes. Hurt happens. Heart attacks arrive!

Bob Benson says, “When life caves in, you do not need reasons; you need comfort. You do not need some answers; you need someone. And Jesus does not come to us with an explanation. He comes to us with His presence.” That is what the makes the difference. His presence. His powerful presence!

Hosanna. Hurray. Hallelujah!

The last week of Jesus earthly life started out marvelous. The beginning of the end commenced with, "The whole city was moved." Sunday was like an earthquake rocking the foundations of the city. The populace posed, "Who is this?" The multitudes announced, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” The air was filled with shouts of "Hosanna to the Son of David" and "Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord." Hands raised high. Palm branches swinging. It was a triumphant procession. That was Sunday.

Arrest. Accusation. Agony!

But the tide quickly turned. Friday was like a tsunami with all the forces of evil flooding the hearts of sinful men. Acclamation turned to accusation, then arrest, and then the agony of death. His followers fled as the prophet Zechariah foretold, "I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered". What happened to Sunday? Why are things spinning out of control by Friday?
From the perspective of the world, the death of Jesus Christ was either a massive mistake or a horrible hoax. From the view on the ground, the cross was an example of a world gone mad; a planet out of control. Look above. What about the view from heaven?

Architect. Anguish. Atonement.

The cross had an Architect! Who? Was it the mad mob, the ridiculous Romans or the jealous Jews? Who? Paul said, “GOD was, in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself . . .” (2 Corinthians 5:19) In one of the most puzzling verses in the Bible, the prophet Isaiah revealed, “Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.” (53:10)

The Architect of the cross was God Himself! And the cross reveals God had a plan. Granted, there was madness in the cross but God had a magnificent plan. We see evil personified but God wrought redemption. At the cross we see mankind at its worse but we see God at His best.

Out of the chaos, cosmos arises. From the darkness a Light shines. From the death a resurrection breaks forth! From the hurt, a shout of “Hallelujah” can be heard! Indeed, “Nothing under God’s control is ever out of control.” Look at the cross and you will see.

God had a plan!