I like to watch Survivor. All the people with inflated egos, wondering if they are next to get sent home, or whether all their clever deceptions and conniving will work out to win them a million bucks. The personal drama combines with physical deprivation to create an entertaining show. And every show you wait for it: the “blindside”, where the unsuspecting and haughty competitor is ousted by his companions, blissfully unaware of what is coming.

Each one thinks they are in control of the game. They imagine their plans working perfectly. They think they have excellent judgment, and that people will understand in the end that it is “just a game”. Sadly, few realize until too late that they aren’t in control. Even those who seem to be in control can find that one misstep, one moment of pleased self-satisfaction can turn the tables, ripping control from their plotting fingers.

Look at the nations and be amazed! Watch and be astounded at what I will do! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it. I am raising up the Babylonians (Habakkuk1:5-6)… The Babylonians trampled many nations, and took all the credit for it. They were brutal, overpowering their enemies, ripping apart cities and kingdoms and flinging the inhabitants to the far reaches of their empire. Isaiah was given visions of the coming onslaught, while Jeremiah witnessed the devastation first-hand. Habakkuk, just prior to the rise of Babylon, hears God share his plans – to use Babylon to discipline his wayward people.

Babylon saw their success and imagined that it was their own strength and authority that gave them victory. But in God’s plans their success was temporary, short-lived even. They were tools, not nearly as sovereign and “in control” as they imagined. What Habakkuk learned, what God shared with him as the questions and complaints flowed, was that God is in control.

Life is not simple, nor straight-forward. Life is messy, with bills to pay, obligations to fulfill, and never enough time and energy to get it all done. You can succeed at work, and fail in your relationships at home. You can live an outstanding life on the outside, and be overrun by sin and shame that is eating you up inside. But in all our circumstances, God is in control. We don’t have to fear being overwhelmed. God is there, and he has not for a moment been dethroned. Not now, not ever.

All the powers that oppose Christ and his kingdom, all our circumstances that tempt us to take shortcuts and serve ourselves, will all come to nothing. Those who think they are in control, they will be astounded, with those who supported them. All the false impressions of control will be blown away like chaff – an image of something that lacks worth and lasting value (check out Jeremiah 13:20-26Jeremiah 13:20-26
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
20 Jerusalem, you were so proud of ruling the people of Judah. But where are they now? Look north, and you will see your enemies approaching. ²¹ You once trusted them to help, but now I'll let them rule you. y You once ... rule you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. What do you say about that? You will be in pain like a woman giving birth. ²² Do you know why your clothes were torn off and you were abused? It was because of your terrible sins. ²³ Can you ever change and do what's right? Can people change the color of their skin, or can a leopard remove its spots? If so, then maybe you can change and learn to do right. ²⁴ I will scatter you, just as the desert wind blows husks from grain tossed in the air. ²⁵ I won't change my mind. I, the Lord, have spoken. You rejected me and worshiped false gods. * ²⁶ You were married to me, but you were unfaithful. You even became a prostitute z prostitute: See the note at . by worshiping disgusting gods on hilltops and in fields.

WP-Bible plugin!). God is in control, and we can be comforted that this sovereign is full of love and good will towards us, his people.