God Controls Governments

The eyes of American citizens, and many others around the world, are fixed on the polls of the recent election.  Here we are three days after the election with no clear winner.  In all of my lifetime, we have always had the media outlets at least declaring a winner the night of the election, or in the wee hours of the next morning.  This election is different.  We knew this election would be different.  Amidst COVID restrictions and protocols, mail in votes, and early voting, we knew that voting would look different this year.  Both sides have hurled accusations, so we knew there would probably be contested results, especially in a close race.  While we wait, we can still find peace.  We don’t have to stress, worry, or riot.  We do not have to fear tomorrow, or next week, or whenever election results are finally decided.  We can trust that we have a Sovereign God in control of it all.  Even this time of waiting and uncertainty is part of His plan!

As much as governing authorities seem to be in control, that power is granted to them by God.  They are only able to do what he allows.  We see an example of God changing up the kings of Israel in 1 Samuel 15:26.  Samuel confronts King Saul about disobeying God’s command which has lead to God’s rejection of Saul as King of Israel.  “And Samuel said to Saul, ‘I will not return with you.  For you have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel.’”  God will also send Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint David to be the next King of Israel.  David didn’t appear to be as kingly as his older brothers, “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him.  For the LORD sees not as man sees:  man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

The prophet Daniel found himself in a foregin country, forced into service of a foreign king, and in the precarious position of following the Law of God even when it meant disobeying the law of the land.  He still knew that God was in control.  God had brought him to Babylon for a reason.  Through the use of dreams, some extreme measures, and the words of Daniel King Nebuchadnezzar meets the true and living God!  The book of Daniel tells us “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might.  He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.” (Daniel 2:20-21)  Daniel had to be faithful to God and his word, even when his people were carried into exile, even when he was separated from his family, even when he was forced into service of a foreign king.  Daniel did remain faithful, and God used him to accomplish his purpose.  

A young girl named Esther was born to others who had also been carried into exile.  Though living after Daniel, she was someone who’s faith may have put her at odds with the government.  She, like Daniel, also finds herself close to the king not as an advisor, but as his wife!  She is chosen to be Queen!  She uses her position to help rescue other Jewish people from the plots of Haman for their destruction.  She was hesitant at first, but we see her encouraged by her cousin, Mordecai, who said, “And who knows whether you have not come into the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14b)  God did use Esther to save the Jewish people, and he continues to work through unlikely means.

While I do not know what the future holds for the United States, I do know that God is in control.  Whatever happens is part of his plan.  No matter the results, we must submit to God’s will and his word above all else.  Paul writes to the Roman church in a time when Christanity was still heavily persecuted.  In chapter 13, verse 1 and 2, of his letter to the Romans he says, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.  Therefore whoever resits the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”  Unless the government issues laws in clear opposition to the word of God, we are to submit to their authority, even if we don’t like or agree with their policies.  Regardless of who is elected as president, governor, senator, representative, etc, be at peace during knowing that this is of God.