Tag Archives: God rules

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Who Really Controls The White House?

Read: Proverbs 21:1

The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.

Hey all you Republicans out there, relax, the president’s on a short leash. And for all you Democrats, you need to chill out, too. For those of you who still believe it’s all George Bush’s fault, or for anyone who’s convinced President Obama’s the Antichrist, lighten up!  If you’re thinking the man in the Oval Office is calling the shots, think again:

God’s in charge!

I love how Daniel 2:20-21 reminds us that all of the political convulsing we do, especially in an election cycle like this, is really nothing more than a tempest in a teapot when stacked up against the plans of the Almighty:

“Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings.”

Now I’m not saying that politics is unimportant or that the upcoming elections won’t have consequences. The truth is, the party given power to rule greatly affects the cultural-moral-spiritual direction of America and the man in the Oval Office has great bearing on both the outward strength and the inner fortitude of our nation. It matters, and as believers, we are obligated to be well informed and actively engaged in our politic process. But can I remind you again of this one truth that trumps all your concerns?

God’s in control!

God allows politicians to be elected, he keeps the president on a short leash, and at the end of the day, whether rulers rule well or not, God will accomplish his purposes. He is in charge—and in control.  As someone has correctly said, history is really His story.  It always had been, it is right now, it shall be tomorrow.

God rules!

I hope that gives you great comfort, and I hope it will allow you to be a little more sane and kingdom-focused as the politics of this election year heat up well beyond the point of sanity.

“God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel” ~Benjamin Franklin, Constitutional Convention of 1787

Let me say it one more time just in case you missed it:

God reigns!

Your assignment, should you choose to accept it:

Read I Timothy 2:1-4,

“I urge that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

Now, like him or not, pray for President Obama every day this week! It will please your Heavenly Father!

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Psalm 75: God Rules—Live With It!

Read Psalm 75:1-10

God Rules—Live With It!

No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man.
But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.
(Psalm 75:6-7)

What a great reminder! It is neither the Democratic or the Republican National Committees that get their candidates elected; it is not how well organized the parties are at the grassroots level; it is not the hundreds of millions of dollars that we now spend to “buy” elections—although those factors certainly play into the outcome. But at the end of the day, it is what God permits that determines who will rise and who will fall.

The truth is, we see only a little slice of history. From our perspective, the country was desperately needing change, or we were in a war and we needed a wartime leader in the Oval office, or whatever other scenario we used to describe our current context. But God lives outside of time and above circumstances, and he is moving human history to a foreordained conclusion. Daniel 2:20-21 reminds us,

Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.
He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

If we could truly absorb that truth and embrace it as a guiding principle for our everyday lives, what difference would it make in how we approach life? I think we would live with a lot less anxiety about the current global climate. I think we would be a great deal less upset about our current leaders, or a lot less dependent on them to solve our every problem. I think we would be a lot less worried about whether we would have a job, or good health, or a happy family when the sun comes up tomorrow. In fact, we would not lose any sleep at all about the sun coming up tomorrow or not.

Now I’m not claiming that we should adopt a do-nothing, careless approach to life. Of course not—that would make us unworthy servants (see Matthew 25:24-30) of a Master who expects us to do our best with what we have been given (Colossians 3:23-24). But remembering that God rules over all, big and small, that God controls all, big and small; that God uses all the events of this world, big and small, to bring about his perfect plan, helps me to live out my life in a much more purposeful, peaceful and productive way.

God rules—live with it!

“There is a God in heaven who over-rules all things for the best;
and this is the comfort of my soul.”
—David Brainerd