Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem...
Ezra 7:27
God is behind all the movements of human organizations and governments. He sovereignly moved over many years so that kings ruling in Babylon would support, encourage, and find the rebuilding of the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. Ezra's prayer of thanksgiving at the completion of the temple recognizes the wisdom and sovereign hand of God in so doing.
The God Who moves empires to honor His covenant with Israel is still very much on the throne today, overruling all other human pretenders to His throne. And in this presidential election year of 2016 here in America, where one administration will give way to a new one, it does Christians here good to recognize that nothing in our politics will thwart the complete sovereign hand of God. He holds all power... not political parties, lobbying blocs, fundraising gurus, or business tycoons bent on ego-stroking stump speeches. Over the ages, no empire, no communist, no fascist, no socialist, no democrat, no republican, no parliamentarian, no city council or commission, no dictator, no pope, no church council, no prime minister, no justice of the court, no "supreme leader" appointed by human means has ever succeeded in cheating death or atoning sin, or wresting from God absolute control of the human world.
By faith I will trust God above all these human authorities. He commands kings and congresses, sub-committees and county officials, judges and school districts. And His kingdom shall stand forever, opposed by some, but never is God's rule threatened. He who sits in the heavens laughs (see Psalm 2) at the limits of measly human effort. He directs the universe to the ends of His glory. Our little governments are just part of that sovereign, glorious work.
No comments:
Post a Comment