He's Got the Whole World (and My World) In His Hand
Inspired by In Touch Ministries' Daily Devotion that came into my email this morning (and also inspired by the problems that have been revolving around my life lately :p), I thought I'll write this as a reminder for myself, and for others, too.
But how about the wicked leaders? We tend to think that a leader has to be a Godly man for God to use him, but Proverbs 21:1 tells us that God can direct the heart of any leader wherever He wishes. He even describes to pagan kings—Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus—as “My servant” (Jer. 25:9) and “My shepherd” (Isa. 44:28). They didn't have the slightest clue that God guided their pats to fulfill His purposes.
This. Has. Stirred. My. Heart. What an unbeliever I am! If God can direct the heart of world leaders, surely he can direct my heart and your heart, and the hearts of the people around us! There is no reason for my despair when I remember who holds the nations, and rulers, and common people, and my circumstances, in HIS hand. The Lord's plans for this world, and for each of us, are moving along according to His divine purposes, and no unrighteous men can thwart Him.
So, I'll just keep singing "He's got the whole world in His Hand..."
Daniel 2:20-22 (NASB)With ongoing world events, the future of this world appears to be in the hands of nations' rulers and government. But notice that the Lord is the one who “removes kings and establishes kings” (Dan. 2:21). So every leader is put into office not by the people, not by their power, not by their wicked schemes, but by the hand of God.
“Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
For wisdom and power belong to Him.
“It is He who changes the times and the epochs;
He removes kings and establishes kings;
He gives wisdom to wise men
And knowledge to men of understanding.
“It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And the light dwells with Him.
But how about the wicked leaders? We tend to think that a leader has to be a Godly man for God to use him, but Proverbs 21:1 tells us that God can direct the heart of any leader wherever He wishes. He even describes to pagan kings—Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus—as “My servant” (Jer. 25:9) and “My shepherd” (Isa. 44:28). They didn't have the slightest clue that God guided their pats to fulfill His purposes.
This. Has. Stirred. My. Heart. What an unbeliever I am! If God can direct the heart of world leaders, surely he can direct my heart and your heart, and the hearts of the people around us! There is no reason for my despair when I remember who holds the nations, and rulers, and common people, and my circumstances, in HIS hand. The Lord's plans for this world, and for each of us, are moving along according to His divine purposes, and no unrighteous men can thwart Him.
So, I'll just keep singing "He's got the whole world in His Hand..."
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