Tuesday, November 4, 2008

THE ONE IN CHARGE

God is in control -- of course we know that, but it is nice to be reminded today. Jesus "upholds the universe by the word of his power," and He will not let us out of his sight now or ever. The Bible says it is a done deal: the Lord Jesus took the highest seat of power long ago when "he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."

It is possible to keep politics in perspective when I remember:

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. - Hebrews 1:1-4

Another good lesson from today's reading is that God cares about individuals. There was one foreign advisor who tried to talk sense into the king of Judah in a time of crisis, counseling Zedekiah to save the prophet Jeremiah, whom he had doomed to death. This lonely foreigner, Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, was remembered when the dust settled. He had a message waiting for him from God:

I will deliver you on that day, declares the Lord, and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid. 18 For I will surely save you, and you shall not fall - from Jeremiah 39:17-18

God cares about individuals, and helps each one who trusts in Him. This one person did the little bit he coul, and as a result was remembered and looked after by the Lord of the universe. Even earlier in history, there's another example of God looking out for his people. When the nation of Israel was to be delivered from captivity in Egypt, God used a pagan ruler -- not by causing him to yield, but by his stubborn resistance -- to show God's awesome power.

After seeing all the signs and wonders God performed by the hand of Moses, what kind of a lunatic would NOT have let God's people go? Yet time and again, Pharaoh reneged. The Bible says God hardened that leader's heart -- to the ultimate advantage of God's people. Let's remember today and in the days to come, that God is the one in charge. Whether through our elected officials or in spite of them, God will do according to His good purpose for us.