LEARNING DAILY

Proverbs 21:1, The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

I watched quite a bit of the inauguration of Donald trump as the 47^th President of the United States yesterday. As I write this, I also remember watching the coronation of King Charles. There is always much ceremony and tradition when a person is inaugurated or crowned. As usual the different news medias had different thoughts on the president elect. If it was not stated in what those covering the inauguration said, it was discerned in their attitudes. It seems appropriate to remind all Believers, all who read this that the Lord is sovereign over kings and presidents!

Proverbs 19:12 is also about kings and presidents. “The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like the dew of the grass.” This idea may not be celebrated but it is worth noting. Those in power have the ability and authority to help or hurt those under him. It might be wisdom for a person to not unnecessarily provoke those in authority. It is important to understand that even the most powerful figures are still under the authority, still subject to God’s power and His will! Proverbs 21:30 states clearly, “There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the Lord.” Let’s be clear – no matter how hard we try, we cannot outthink God. He cannot be tricked or fooled into doing anything. He cannot be surprised by anything, and He cannot be out maneuvered. One might be well-meaning in their attempts to get God to act; but it is all in vain. God is absolutely sovereign.

The President of the United States is considered the most powerful leader in the world. He is still subject to God’s power and His will. He can even be shaped to do God’s will if God so chooses. Read, for an example, Exodus 10:1-2 where God hardened Pharoah’s heart in order for God to show him signs which He had done so he would know that He was God. Read where God caused King Cyrus to allow the Jewish captives to return to Jerusalem to “build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judea” (Ezra 1:2). Here is another example of God moving in the heart of a king to do His will. God caused Caesar Agustus to call for a census to be taken causing Joseph to take a pregnant Mary to Bethlehem to be counted (Luke 2:1-3). Understand that God can and will use kings and presidents to serve His purpose.

People can debate all day long if and how God has used a former president and will use the current president to do His will; as sure as I’m writing this, the debate goes on and will continue. This I know, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist bring judgment upon themselves” (Romans 13:1-2).  “Believers are to submit to the ruling authorities wherever they live. The world tries to circumvent the authority of government. But God says to be submissive to it (Titus 3:1). God is the ultimate ruler over all earthly leaders. He sets up kings and removes them according to His will. Knowing this, Believers are called to pray and submit accordingly.” writes David Jeremiah. As God is the greater authority, Believers submit to Him when leaders tell them to do something that is in violation to God’s law or His will. Believers are to obey God rather than men! (Acts 5:29).

All that being said as a reflection of what I saw yesterday. President Trumps’s relationship to Jesus Christ is not for Believers to judge. We do judge what He says and does according to God’s Word. Believers are responsible to pray for Him, praying that His words and actions honor God. The coming days, months, and years are going to be interesting; he needs to be prayed for daily as he guides this nation into the days ahead!