A friend of mine studied and trained for years in preparation for the work of Bible translation. When he finally arrived in his assigned country, he wrote about the odyssey of the previous years: "The key to staying alive in this life of constant change is to expect the unexpected, to remain vigilant, and above all, to remember daily that God is firmly in control when all else indicates otherwise."

Ten days later, his letter seemed prophetic when the country erupted in civil war and he was forced to leave.

We all know the feeling of being "almost there" when a sudden shift of circumstances alters everything, and we feel that life is out of control.

The prophet Jeremiah could have felt like this in the aftermath of devastating change. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had conquered Jerusalem, deported the people, and reduced the city to rubble. But Jeremiah affirmed God's faithfulness and control when he wrote, "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness" (Lam. 3:22-23).

Today, we can face unexpected change because our faithful God is still in control.  — David C. McCasland