1 Colossians 1:16-17
The mourners were asked to sing a hymn at my friend's mother's memorial service, a familiar tune of "This is My Father's World." As we sang the song I had experienced many times, this time the second verse struck a new chord.
This is my father's world
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet
I wondered why this hymn was sung at the memorial, assuming it was a favorite of the deceased. Yet in the moment, it fit so well, remembering that in the midst of grief and pain, we could acknowledge that God still rules.
We can feel that way about life in general. Life seems so chaotic, full of evil if not merely disruptive forces. We struggle to understand the world around us, sometimes reaching wildly for any explanation, and we seek certainty in the midst of uncertainty.
There is one certainty: God is still in charge, even if it seems like the enemy is running things. We look to Colossians 1:16-17 (NIV) for assurance as Paul explains Jesus's role in all this.
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
In Jesus all things hold together. God is the ruler yet, even though the wrong seems strong. As has been said about the ultimate meaning of Revelation that all can agree on regardless of interpretation, "In the end, God wins!" After all, it's the Father's world.
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