John 19:11
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
11 Jesus answered, “You
would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore
the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
Proverbs 21:29-31
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
29 A wicked man puts up a bold
front,
but an upright man gives thought to his ways.
but an upright man gives thought to his ways.
30 There is no wisdom, no
insight, no plan
that can succeed against the Lord.
that can succeed against the Lord.
31 The horse is made ready for
the day of battle,
but victory rests with the Lord.
but victory rests with the Lord.
As I read these verses I had to think of the
upcoming Presidential election here in the United States of America. But it can also apply to anywhere in this
world whether you have elections or your government is appointed for you. It can be valid in our churches whether we
are democratically run or elder run. The
point in this lesson is very clear, God is in control but that doesn’t mean our
actions are always His will.
Although we may be able to point out a wise man from
a wicked man by his mannerisms, there is one thing we know for sure, it is God
who gives the wisdom, who gives the insight, and who makes the ultimate
plan. As I think about this I have to
think about myself and how that applies to me.
I can look back on my life and contemplate what
would have happened, “if . . .” but it
doesn’t change one thing. I can wonder
why I made the decisions I made, but it doesn’t change those decisions. I can rest assured that no plan I made for
myself, no wisdom I have gained, no insight that I have had, has ever been by
my own power. No matter what, God is in
control, He is the One who is preparing us for what lies ahead. Jesus knew the plan, He had the power to make
any changes to that plan that He wanted but He chose to stick to the plan that
brought victory.
The Pharisees had their plan as well. From the beginning of Jesus ministry, when
they saw that their power was being overpowered, they began to plot against
Jesus. Jesus knew their hearts before He
ever came to this earth. He knew their wicked ways before they ever became
wicked. He knew their plans before they
did and He prevailed.
Today as we contemplate the best man for the job as
President. As we listen to their debates
and the debates of the people that support them, we need to remember to choose
the one that we believe is the wisest.
We need to choose the one that we believe is not putting up a bold
front. Then, we need to pray for that
person, that he will be guided by the Lord our Savior and will guide our
country as a facilitator not a ruler. That
he won’t fall into the trap as the Pharisees of the power of being in
leadership but that the person elected will submit to God and would lead in the
ways of our Father. We need to pray that
he will remember that God is in control and our country is only here because of
the One who created it, who created us.
As you seek Him, look at how He has had the power in
your life, let Him know that you are thankful that He is in control. Ask for wisdom, discernment, and an accepting
heart to His will. Jesus knew the plan
and He followed the plan even though it led Him to the cross.
Seeking Him with all my heart,
Sheila
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