My Confession
I’m going to be vulnerable here and admit something about myself that I don’t often share; there is a misconception I held for far too long that I believe many others have struggled with as well. Most of my life, I viewed God as a distant entity who was passive and indifferent to man’s operations here on earth.
My perception of Him was a faraway God shaking His head at the state of humanity who only intervened and was close to a select few who were incredibly Holy and worthy. I knew He punished the wicked and rewarded the righteous, but I had no concept of a God who participated in setting up world governments and moving on the hearts of men and women who were not worshipers of Him.
Our World View Shapes Our View of God
In our society and in the times we live in, it can be easy to lose sight of the sovereignty of God. Let’s face it, America’s work-driven culture has practically taught us from birth that we can do anything that we set our mind to accomplish. We need to believe in ourselves, etc.
We’ve been taught the “power of positive thinking” and encouraged to go out and “make a difference.” The value of intellect and hard work have been elevated as the path to success. The big focus of all of this positive thinking is self-reliance.
Positive thinking is certainly better than negative thinking, but in the midst of all of the turmoil of the world events and political discussions surrounding this election season, we can get caught up in thinking that man is running the show down here when, in fact, God in His sovereignty is moving things into position according to His plans and purposes.
We can easily lose sight of the fact that God allows us to get what we desire, even if it is bad for us, to teach us things and draw our hearts back to Him.Click To TweetGod is Sovereign
In the book of Daniel, God places a young prisoner of war in Babylon and gave a Babylonian king a dream that he didn’t understand. The Lord then moved on this king’s heart to demand that the wise men of Babylon (the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers) to interpret the meaning of the dream or be put to death.
This was an extraordinary request that, of course, no one could fulfill. However, God orchestrated the events which led to Daniel being brought before the king to interpret the dream. After spending time in prayer, by himself and with trusted friends, God chose to reveal the dream to Daniel.
Astonishingly, God gave a Babylonian king a dream which foretold of multiple empires all the way until the coming of the Messiah, the King of kings, who will rule God’s kingdom for eternity. Daniel Chapter 2 reveals the truth that God is the power behind all earthly kingdoms. In Daniel 2:47 King Nebuchadnezzar said to Daniel, “surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.”
The Word doesn’t tell us Daniel’s personal feelings about King Nebuchadnezzar. What it does tell us is that Daniel served this King and was promoted to high positions because He prayed and God directed his steps. Additionally, it is important to note that King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (a formidable kingdom of its time) went on to acknowledge the sovereignty of God. Nebuchadnezzar’s written account of what led to this outcome and his public acknowledgment of the sovereignty of God found their way into the Word of God.
~ Daniel 4:34-35 (NIV)
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.
35 His dominion is an eternal dominion;
his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
All the peoples of the earth
are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
with the powers of heaven
and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
or say to him: “What have you done?”
Time and time again God’s word demonstrates how our sovereign God shows himself far beyond the power and wisdom of every earthly leader. It’s easy in this day and age to put our focus on these leaders and their world governments. We’re living in an age of political upheaval and turmoil unlike anything the world has ever seen.
A Greater Kingdom with a Greater Ruler
Our Heavenly Kingdom is greater than earthly kingdoms and rulers. And yes, that includes our great nation and its government and officials. This Kingdom has a sovereign King. His name is Jesus and the government is upon His shoulders. My hope and prayer is that we, as individuals, will pledge our allegiance to serve our true sovereign King.
As we navigate the natural world we live in and vote in earthly elections, let us grab hold of the truth that our God’s hands are not tied. Let’s pray and vote, and regardless which officials are elected, we will pray that God will move on their hearts and direct the steps of our leaders.
Politics and world systems are in operation around us, but may we always remember that behind everything we see, there is much more happening that our sovereign God is doing in the unseen.
Our Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to trust that you are working in the unseen on behalf of your people. I believe all that your Word promises and accept as truth that You are working all things “for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).” I accept your Kingship and submit to your authority over my life, my nation and my heart.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Scriptures for Meditation
Isaiah 10:5-23
Arrogant Assyria Also Judged
5 “Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger
And the staff in whose hand is My indignation.
6 I will send him against an ungodly nation,
And against the people of My wrath
I will give him charge,
To seize the spoil, to take the prey,
And to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
7 Yet he does not mean so,
Nor does his heart think so;
But it is in his heart to destroy,
And cut off not a few nations.
8 For he says,
‘Are not my princes altogether kings?
9 Is not Calno like Carchemish?
Is not Hamath like Arpad?
Is not Samaria like Damascus?
10 As my hand has found the kingdoms of the idols,
Whose carved images excelled those of Jerusalem and Samaria,
11 As I have done to Samaria and her idols,
Shall I not do also to Jerusalem and her idols?’ ”
12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Lord has [a]performed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, that He will say, “I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his haughty looks.”
13 For he says:
“By the strength of my hand I have done it,
And by my wisdom, for I am prudent;
Also I have removed the boundaries of the people,
And have robbed their treasuries;
So I have put down the inhabitants like a [b]valiant man.
14 My hand has found like a nest the riches of the people,
And as one gathers eggs that are left,
I have gathered all the earth;
And there was no one who moved his wing,
Nor opened his mouth with even a peep.”
15 Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it?
Or shall the saw exalt itself against him who saws with it?
As if a rod could wield itself against those who lift it up,
Or as if a staff could lift up, as if it were not wood!
16 Therefore the Lord, the [c]Lord of hosts,
Will send leanness among his fat ones;
And under his glory
He will kindle a burning
Like the burning of a fire.
17 So the Light of Israel will be for a fire,
And his Holy One for a flame;
It will burn and devour
His thorns and his briers in one day.
18 And it will consume the glory of his forest and of his fruitful field,
Both soul and body;
And they will be as when a sick man wastes away.
19 Then the rest of the trees of his forest
Will be so few in number
That a child may write them.
The Returning Remnant of Israel
20 And it shall come to pass in that day
That the remnant of Israel,
And such as have escaped of the house of Jacob,
Will never again depend on him who [d]defeated them,
But will depend on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
21 The remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob,
To the Mighty God.
22 For though your people, O Israel, be as the sand of the sea,
A remnant of them will return;
The destruction decreed shall overflow with righteousness.
23 For the Lord God of hosts
Will make a determined end
In the midst of all the land.