I enjoy studying the life of Moses in our Good News Bible Club. I'm teaching ages 3 to 8, but I've been gleaning many things myself from these Bible stories. One of the things I think about are the 10 plagues that God sent through Moses on Egypt before he brought His people out to the Promised Land. Did you know that only the first three plagues affected the children of Israel? Do you ever wonder why God allowed the first three to affect all of Egypt, including His chosen people?  I think God wanted to show that He was God to the Egyptians and the Israelites. Moses was sent by Him and had the power of God behind his words. I think those plagues got the attention of the Israelites.

But seven of the plagues were all around the Israelites and never touched them. Isn't that just like God? Do you realize how many evil things are all around us, yet never touch us? God has His protection over us to prevent many evil things from happening to us.

 Just last weekend, my husband was rear-ended from behind on the freeway while going 65 mph. The guy behind him apparently fell asleep and crossed over a lane behind at a faster speed and hit my husbands' Suburban on the corner of the bumper. The highway patrol was surprised that my husband was able to retain control of the vehicle and pull to the side of the road safely. My husband had no injuries--though he's going to the chiropracter on Monday to get his back and neck adjusted just in case.

Of course, I know that bad things can happen to God's people too. We can look at Job with wonder and amazement. But the difference is that when bad things happen to us, God is in control. Isn't it nice to know that there is a plan God has for us even when we're "getting the straw for our own brick making?" Life can be tough, yet God is in control. God may be toughing us up for the journey to the Promised Land.

Or God may be using our hardships so that we can help others when they are experiencing the same problems. Can I be of encouragement to some other family whose daughter is pregnant and unwed? God knows someone who may need to be encouraged in this area. God is in control.  He sees the end of the road and knows how this life of ours all fits together with His greater plan.

But even in Job's case, Satan wasn't able to take his life because God was in control. So many things don't come near us, because of our loving Father's protection around us. Yes, our God is in control!