In God's Hands
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God! Romans 13:1 (NIV)
America celebrated her independence from Great Britain yesterday. We all long for freedom and independence in our hearts and are so blessed to live in a nation where we are free to worship and serve God! As we've celebrated Independence Day this week, I am so thankful for the freedoms we have. As I think about our country and leaders, I am reminded of a conversation I had with a friend a few years ago. We were discussing people in high positions—even well-known Christians—and how disappointed we were in how little impact they made for protecting our Christian beliefs. As fear crept into our hearts and minds regarding the future of our country, we began to pray for God’s mercy on America and to beg His forgiveness for not living more set apart. As we prayed, we were reminded of 1 Chronicles 29:10-13:
David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,“Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name."
In our country, we have political conventions that allow politicians to promote their party’s views, beliefs, and candidates. In 1 Chronicles 29:10-13, David is praising the Lord at a different kind of convention, or should I say, “assembly.” He begins in 1 Chronicles 29:1 by telling the people that God was the one who chose Solomon to build the temple. David was praising the Lord because everything is in God’s hands—wealth, power and honor!
It’s crazy when we pause and think about how much power we believe humans to have. Remember the Israelites? They were God’s chosen people. God tried to warn them that He was their King, but they would not listen. They wanted a king like all the other nations! But the Jews were supposed to be different. (1 Samuel 8:5) They asked Samuel to appoint a king for them. Samuel was displeased at their request for a king. God told Samuel that the Israelites were not rejecting him, but instead, they were rejecting God as their king. And if they wanted a king, God would give them a king! God tried to warn the Israelites about what would happen to their children if they had a king, but they would not listen. God warned them that a king would take their children and send them to battle. I wonder what it would be like today had they listened?
In America, we don’t have a king, but we do have a president. Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican—and whether you like him or not—God has placed our president in authority. But more importantly, as believers we have a King! And He is the King of Kings! Everything is in His hands, and He will exalt whomever He pleases. He places our leaders in authority and gives power to whomever He pleases.
When it’s all said and done, it’s all in God’s hands. God has a reason for those He has put in positions of power. He is the Ruler of all things and in His hands are strength and power! Our faith cannot be in a political party. We must ultimately put our trust in the only real King, not an elected official!
Further Reading 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Psalm 136:2-3
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