Because of my family’s past experiences in politics, I HATE politics. So, let’s establish up front that this is not a political post. Got it? Good!
What this is, is a post about what God’s Word says about politics. In today’s edition of Get Wisdom!, we will look at Proverbs 21:1 to see what nuggets of wisdom we can find about the state of politics in our world today. I’m offering you a few versions of this verse below.
“The Lord can control a king’s mind as he controls a river;he can direct it as he pleases.” (NCV)“The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;he turns it wherever he will.” (ESV)“Good leadership is a channel of water controlled by God;he directs it to whatever ends he chooses.” (The Message)
Regardless of where you live, there are likely political officials with whom you do not agree. In our cities, states, and countries, political officials cannot please all of the people all of the time. Particularly disconcerting are those decisions that are in direct contradiction to God’s Word. How do we square this verse with the fact that God has given man free will?
In this verse we find that the phrase ‘king’s heart’ means the mind of or discernment of the ruler. We find from the original language that the word ‘pleases’ is the Hebrew word ‘hapes’ which means ‘to delight in, be pleased with’. What we learn is that the mind of a ruler will be controlled by the desire of God. God is definitely the power-player here. Does this mean that every decision a ruler makes is right and good? No, it does not. This is where free will enters the picture. God allows all of us free will to make decisions. I believe what it does mean is that God knows beforehand about poor decisions by a ruler and He will use them to accomplish His will.
Consider Pharaoh. God knew and told Moses that Pharaoh would harden his heart nine times (Exodus 8-10) with regard to letting the Israelites leave Egypt. In fact, God’s Word says that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart in Exodus 9:12; 10:1; 10:20; and 10:27. Preventing the Israelites from leaving would appear to be a poor decision on Pharaoh’s part from the standpoint of the Israelites. However, only God saw the big picture and knew that ultimately Pharaoh would allow the Israelites departure and they would go with the blessing (as well as the plunder) of the Egyptians.
Do I understand the ways of God and why He allows the Hitlers, Stalins, Khomeinis, Husseins, and so many other evil rulers into power? No, but I must trust that He is ultimately in control and that He will use kings, presidents and rulers to accomplish His purposes. This is one area where should fervently pray
“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
MEDITATION MOMENT: Are you willing to commit to praying for the political leaders in your nation, state, county and city every day? I commit to praying for President Obama every day this week.
How about you? Who will you pray for by name this week?
Leave me a comment telling me which political leader(s)
you will be praying for this week.
How about you? Who will you pray for by name this week?
Leave me a comment telling me which political leader(s)
you will be praying for this week.
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