C. Over events  (even those that seem accidental)
    Prov 16:33  "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord."

  1. Over the sale of Joseph to a traveling caravan.
        Gen 50:20  "You intended to harm me but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done,
                           the saving of many lives."
  2. Over Israel's captivities and deliverances.
        Jer 32:42  "This is what the Lord says: As I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will give them
                         all the prosperity I have promised them."
  3. Over Christ's trials and triumphs.
        Ps 118:22,23    "The stone the builders rejected  has become the capstone; the Lord has done this and it is marvelous
                                 in our eyes."
  4. Over everything that happens to believers.
        Rom 8:31    "If God is for us, who can be against us?"

 D. Over people
        Rom 9:14   "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."

  1. Our uniqueness.   I Cor 15:10   "But by the grace of God I am what I am."
      a. Our creation  (looks, talents, body chemistry, personality, color, mannerisms,  genes)
        1) Question
            Rom 9:20  "Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'"
        2) Advice
            2 Cor 10:12  "Do not dare to compare."
      b. Our situation  (time in history, roots, family, opportunities)
        1) Question.
            Es 4:14  "Who knows but that you have come to royal position  for such a time as this?"
        2) Advice
            Eph 4:15,16   "Make the most of every opportunity because the  days are evil."

  2. The length of our lives  (not "gone too soon")
       a. Perfect allotment
            Ps 139:16   "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
       b. Advice
            Ps 90:12  "Teach us to number our days aright."

 3. Our plans  (we only think we're in control)
     a. Reminder.
        Prov 16:9   "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord  determines his steps."
     b. Advice
        Prov 16:3    "Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed."

 4. Our success  (temptation to do a Yertle-the-Turtle climb to the top)
     a. Reminder
        Ps 75:7  "He brings one down and exalts another."
     b. Advice
        Jos 1:8  "Do not let this book of the law depart out of your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you
                       may be careful to do everything  written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."

 5. Our earning power (education, hard work only part of picture)
   a. Reminder
        Deut 8:17,18   "You may say to yourself, 'My power and the  strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me!'
                                But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth."
   b. Advice
        Lu 12:33   "Sell your possessions and give to the poor."

 6. The designation of individuals for specific missions.
     a. Abraham
        Neh 9:7  "You are the Lord God who chose Abram and brought him   out of Ur of the Chaldeans and named
                        him Abraham."   (JUST "PEOPLE")
     b. Moses
        Ex 3:10   "I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt."  (WHO ME?)

     c. Pharaoh
        Rom 9:17   "I raised you up for this very purpose that I might display  my power in you."   (HEATHEN)

     d. Cyrus
        Ezr 1:1   "The Lord moved the heart of Cyrus, King of Persia, to make a proclamation."  (BUILD TEMPLE)

     e. David
        I Sam 16:1-13  "Then the Lord said, "rise up and anoint him; he is the one."   (REJECTED 7 OTHERS)

     f. Mary
        Lu 1:30   "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God."       (TEENAGER)

     g. Paul
        Eph 3:8   "Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this  grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the
                        unsearchable riches of Christ."   (MURDERER)

 7. Men's destinies    Heb 11:32-39
     a. Some:  "conquered kingdoms, gained what was promised, shut the mouths of  lions, quenched the fury of flames,
        escaped the edge of the sword, had their weakness turned to strength, became powerful in battle and routed
        foreign armies, received back their dead, raised to life again"  33-35  (ALL DESIRE)

     b. Others:    "were tortured, faced jeers and flogging, were chained and put in  prison, were stoned, sawed in two,
        put to death by the sword,  went about  destitute, persecuted, and mistreated, wandered in deserts and mountains
        and  in caves and in holes in the ground."  35-38  (ALL COMMENDED FOR FAITH)

   c. Examples
    1) Trials by fire:  Shadrack vs John Hus
    2) Trials by water:  Jonah vs students at Taccoa Bible College
    3) Trials by prison:  Peter, Paul vs John the Baptist
    4) Trials by lions:  Daniel vs early Christian martyrs
    5) Loss of loved ones, accidents, disease, abuse