There are several scenes in the "Dark Knight" Batman movies I truly relate to on a deeper level than I probably should. There is a part of me that loves watching absolute disasters and it reminds me of a scene when Batman is staring at television screens of the Joker's antics bewildered. In a confused tone, he asks Alfred, his butler, why the Joker would do such insane actions because he doesn't seem to have anything to gain from the chaos. Alfred looks at Batman and says, "Mr. Wayne... some men just want to watch the world burn." It was in that moment I realized I had a deep connection with the Joker because I love watching complete disasters, whether they are on American Idol, in board meetings, or meltdowns of public figures whose egos were a bit bigger than their talents.
Another moment in the "Dark Knight" series is when the character of Bane is challenged by a corporate executive who is trying to take over Wayne Enterprises. The executive has conspired with the evil Bane and begins screaming at the Batman villain. Bane looks at the other individuals in the room and tells them to leave the room so he can speak alone to the executive. The executive then screams out "I'm in charge here!" Bane has a eerie conversation with the executive where he says, "Do you feel in charge?" When the executive nervously says that his money has paid for their evil plans, Bane says, "And you feel this gives you control?" Shortly after that, the corporate executive is killed.
So how do I go from that to a statement on God's plan? Well, because oftentimes we feel like the corporate executive. Whether due to our wealth, planning, administrative skills, or education, we trick ourselves into thinking that we have control over our lives. To a certain extent, maybe we do. However, you have to wonder how God looks at these conceited feelings of control we trick ourselves into feeling. Rather than an evil villain trying to write our demise, he stands there with our lives in his hands saying, "if you just choose me, I can show you what true control looks like and it will be magnificent!"
Chapters 4, 5, and 6 in Ezra are relatable. In Ezra 4 we learn about a conspiracy to stop the building of God's Temple that appears to actually work ("...the construction of God's house in Jerusalem had stopped and remained at a standstill...", Ezra 4:24). The people of Israel had been stopped and the sound of hammers and chisels had fallen silent. You have to imagine that in that moment, those who stood against the building of God's house felt "in control".
However, God spoke through the prophets Zechariah and Haggai to tell the Israelites who was really in control. It was up to the Israelites to decide who was truly in charge... their oppressors or God. They responded unapologetically to the Persian king's investigators who sought to root out who dared defy the order to stop work. (Ezra 5:11-16) The Israelites pointed out that the former King Cyrus had committed to allowing the Temple to be completed after God spoke to his soul (2 Chronicles 36:22) and after a little research the current king reaffirmed this commitment. What is fascinating about this story is that God had won the struggle for the Israelites years and years before any of their contemporary challengers even knew what was going on. God had a plan that spanned multiple lifetimes to see the Israelites through, regardless of how much control their enemies thought they exerted.
I don't know about you, but I am humbled, terrified, and in awe at the idea that God may be working now or have already won battles that we don't even know we are going to have. That is insane! God's control over the entire universe is so complete that it spans across time itself! If there is one thing in which we can be certain, it is that God's authority will not fail... ever. God is always in control and no force known or unknown can stand against what God wants to do in our lives or through our lives to those around us. As we encounter roadblocks and challenges, so long as we are seeking and following God's will, we should take solace in knowing that the battle has already been won.
DAILY PRAYER A Prayer for Victory
Almighty father, you are in control of all things known and unknown to us. Your power is unquestionable and your plan is perfect. We are so often weakened by our own inability to see past what we're going through. Forgive us for those moments of weakness. Give us the strength to persevere and to run that good race. Embolden us to carry your banner to all people and grant us the peace that comes from knowing we serve a supreme God who is in all and above all things.
We love you and cherish your guidance in our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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