There is a truth that does not remove pain but takes away ultimate fear: nothing happens without God’s permission.
When Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate, seemingly defeated, He revealed the hidden reality of power by saying:
“You would not have any authority over me, unless it were given to you from above.” (John 19:11)
By these words, Jesus does not deny injustice or suffering; He places them under God’s sovereignty. Man may threaten, accuse, or persecute, but
“there is no authority except from God and those who have been ordained by God.” (Romans 13:1)
Like the powerful sea that stops at the boundary set by its Creator, the enemy may advance, but never beyond the limits God has allowed.
The Scriptures illustrate this with Job: Satan struck, but only within the limits God permitted (Job 1:12; 2:6).
The same applies in daily life: evil intentions exist, abuses of power happen, yet they are neither absolute nor final.
The enemy acts in hatred; God governs in wisdom. One aims to destroy, the other to transform.
Why does God allow what He could prevent?
Because He purifies faith through trials (1 Peter 1:7), turns evil into good as He did for Joseph (Genesis 50:20), and shows that His grace is sufficient when our strength fails (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Even the cross, the pinnacle of human injustice, becomes the instrument of salvation (Acts 2:23).
This divine permission does not mean approval of evil or absence of justice.
God is not the author of evil (James 1:13; Habakkuk 1:13), but He respects human responsibility and promises that every injustice will receive an answer (Romans 12:19).
Therefore, the believer is called neither to blind passivity nor to revenge, but to righteousness, truth, and love—even toward enemies (Matthew 5:44; Acts 22:25).
Thus, persecution can become a testimony, trials a place of revelation, and the night a season, never the end:
“If the Lord had not been with us…” (Psalm 124:1–2)
Yes, we can confess with confidence:
Nothing—neither hatred, injustice, nor opposition—happens without God’s permission (John 19:11).
And if God allows it, it is never to destroy, but to accomplish what He has promised:
“For those who love God, all things work together unto good…” (Romans 8:28)
The night is real, but it is not eternal (Psalm 30:6; Lamentations 3:31–33).
Nothing without His permission. And nothing He allows without hope.
PRAYER:
Lord, teach us to trust Your sovereignty when we do not understand Your ways.
Keep our hearts free from fear and bitterness.
Grant us the peace of knowing our lives are in Your hands,
and the faith to believe that even trials serve Your glory and our good. Amen.
Apostle Dr Jean-Claude SINDAYIGAYA