Wherever He Pleases
As Americans, we take for granted that we have a ‘say’ in who is in charge. We elect our officials from local to state to national. We invest time and energy (and a great deal of money) trying to determine who should be “in charge”. Christians are not immune from such political pursuits. In fact, it isn’t hard to observe that political activism and faith are tied closely together in our current slice of life. This has left some to do amazing contortions to explain why certain political leaders are “God’s” or doing “God’s work” while others are not. Just to be clear I am not picking a side of the political spectrum, simply pointing out that both Republicans and Democrats do this dance. And for most any candidate or elected official, you can find a chorus of voices who claim the moral high ground for the person or at least for their policies. The reality of course, is that political leaders are a mess. They are a mess because they are people. Further, they are messier still because they are in the business of courting favor from as broad of an audience as possible while using that political capital to accomplish their own (or their party’s) objectives. In other words, though we like to think of our leaders as more noble or ‘higher minded’ than us, they often are not. We also like to think that the decisions that they make are for our best. Sadly, a cursory glance back at just the events of 2020 will show us otherwise. Not only is there no agreement about the actions of our leaders, it is almost impossible to discern their motives or if their decisions have been wise. Time will sort some of this out but, the point stands: leaders are at least as broken as the people they lead. They make mistakes. They are selfish. They are proud. They are sinful. Some are utterly corrupt. All this is a pretty bleak picture then isn’t it? Well, it is if that is all there is to it. But, Esther’s book reminds us there is more than meets the eye. Selfish, corrupt and altogether immoral would be a pretty good starting point in describing King Ahasuerus. A drunken despot wouldn’t be far off the mark either. And yet, we will see clearly in the coming weeks, the unfolding of God’s greater purpose and plan, partying, pagan king notwithstanding. This should give us a good deal of hope. There is a King above the kings and political powers of the earth. His bidding ultimately gets done. Proverbs 21:1 is just one in a number of Scriptures that remind us of that fact. Ahasuerus is a ruler whose heart is directed by a power he refuses to acknowledge. No matter, water has little say in where or how it flows. Might we rest our hearts on the King above kings during these tumultuous times.
Application Possibilities:
Are you anxious about the current political situation? Journal your thoughts about those anxieties to God. Be sure to thank Him for His Sovereign control over all earthly authorities.
Memorize Scripture(s) on sovereignty. Proverbs 21:1 (see above) or
Isaiah 44:6
“This is what the Lord says— Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.
or Colossians 1:16
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
or Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Let your heart sing! Take a minute to hear (and sing along with one of these songs)