God is Still in Control

As a missionary to China more than fifty years ago, Gladys Aylward was forced to flee the country when the Japanese invaded Yangcheng. The story is retold in the Hollywood movie called The Inn of the Sixth Happiness starring Ingrid Bergman. Despite the apparent dangers, it seemed absolutely impossible for Gladys to leave her work with the children behind. Therefore, with only one assistant, she led more than one hundred orphaned children over the mountains toward free China.

During this very difficult journey out of war-torn Yangcheng, Gladys struggled with feelings of despair and fear like never before. Through sleepless nights and the prospect of not reaching safety, she cried out to God for help. One morning, that help came in the form of a 13-year-old girl who reminded Gladys of Moses and the Israelites crossing the Red Sea on their way to the Promised Land. “But I am no Moses,” Gladys said to the girl in desperation. “Of course you aren’t,” the young girl said, “but Jehovah is still God!”

Here is good news! No matter what you may be facing in life, know that God is still God, and that He is always in control of all things. God has not changed, nor has His power been diminished. Even though none of us may ever have the experience of leading one hundred children over the mountains of China, we each face situations in life where we need to know that God will take care of us. Isaiah 26:3,4 says, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock” (NLT). As you trust Him, He will grant you the assurance that however difficult the circumstance, however hard the road ahead may appear, God will always be with you, and He will always keep you in peace when your thoughts are centered on Him.