Election day. Finally.
After more than a year of campaigning, primaries, conventions, debates, polls, predictions, personal attacks, and national angst, we have arrived at the day of decision. A decision that will determine the trajectory of our nation for the foreseeable future.
At a time when we can easily be anxious, angry, discouraged, or downright depressed, Proverbs 21 contains two "bookends"–at the beginning and end of the chapter–that give us wisdom and perspective.
The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes (21:1).
"The farmer channels irrigation ditches where he wants them, where they will do the most good; so does the Lord with the king. No king is supreme; the Lord rules." (NET Bible)
Nebuchadnezzar, one of the most powerful dictators in human history, learned that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men (Daniel 4:17b).
God reigns. He raises up leaders and brings them down. And He can put even the "lowest of men" in power if He so chooses. Indeed, even the strongest earthly leader is still a human–weak, limited, mortal, and accountable to God.
In other words, God is not worried about this election. He is already in Wednesday of this week and is still working all things according to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11).
Proverbs 21 ends with two more perspective-giving verses.
No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD (21:30).
Even Pharaoh, the king of Egypt who mercilessly oppressed the children of Israel and stubbornly resisted God, found out that indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth (Exodus 9:16).
Even those who unjustly and mockingly delivered up Jesus to be crucified did so according to the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God (Acts 2:23).
The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD (21:31).
Here is the appropriate balance.
Yes, God is sovereign. Yes, God's purpose cannot be thwarted. Yes, ultimate success comes from the Lord. But we still prepare the horse for battle.
"Ultimate success comes from the Lord and not from human efforts. The faithful have acknowledged this down through the ages, even though they have been responsible and have prepared for the wars." (NET Bible)
God's sovereignty is not an excuse for human passivity rather it is the motivation for human activity without fear.
We prepare. We pray. We seek counsel. We strategize. And then we go forward into the battles of this life knowing that God is with us.
Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, faced an enormous battle against an enemy much greater than his own army. He was genuinely afraid but he set himself to seek the LORD (2 Chronicles 20:3). And God reassured him with these words: Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's (20:15).
So the next day Jehoshaphat and the army of Judah went out into battle…singing (20:21). Probably the first singing, battle-ready army in history!
They didn't stay home and they didn't fear…they trusted the Lord and they sang.
Prayer, preparation, and praise.
You seek the Lord's will, you do want you can do, and you leave the results in God's hands.
And then you sing.
Because our God reigns.
Thank you, pastor, for this commentary. As always, you are on target and appreciated.
This week as I am seeing university and high school kids in rebellion over the "lawful" election of our leaders, and it tears at my heart. Brings to mind concerns I've heard Larry Miller express concerning our youth. The problem isn't with the students. It began first with their parents and then with their professors and teachers. Dissodents (religious and secular) have infiltrated our educational system just as they did in nazi germany and other places around the world. Corrupt the children and take over the culture. Below is a book review that gets right to the heart of the issue. Thanks for allowing me to comment.
Book Review
Once upon a time the Church and parents assumed the privilege and responsibility of educating its own children. This makes sense since education is supposed to lead us out of darkness and into the light. We the Church have Christ the Light of the world. We have been translated out of darkness and into his marvelous light. We house the Holy Spirit who has come to lead us into all truth. God is using the Church to display his manifold wisdom to rulers. That the Church ever gave education to the State, ever rendered its children unto Caesar, is a tragedy of epic proportions. In so doing the Church embraced socialism and statism as a matter of principle. Christ said thy Word is truth. Paul said without faith it is impossible to please God. Yet the Church sends its children to schools where there is no faith and no word and where false and ungodly assumptions govern the methods and the curriculum. Should the Israelites have been surprised if after sending their children to Canaanite schools 35 hours per week, 180 days per year, for 13 plus years they acted like Canaanites? When it comes to education, the Church sold its birthright for a mess of pottage. Amazon Review by No King But Christ – October 12, 2015 of Onward: Engaging the Culture without Losing the Gospel by Russell D. Moore