May 14 2008
The Heart of the King (What To Do When Rulers Sin, continued)
(read the introduction here)
In dealing with rulers who sin against us and against others, sometimes misusing their office and lording their authority over their charges, it is important that we keep a Biblical perspective. Proverbs 21:1 is instructive here:
The king’s heart is in the hand of Yahweh, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
Our God holds the heart of the authorities in His hand.
When trouble comes from rulers who are sinning in their exercising of their offices we must remember this. God’s arm is not short, and this trouble is ultimately from His hand. Romans 13:1b reminds us that there is “no authority except from God.” God’s providence has brought about the difficult situation you face when a ruler in any sphere of authority sins against you.
At the point where we are sinned against, we have choices to make. In making these difficult choices, though, we must never forget that God’s hand holds the heart of those who are making our life difficult.
Solomon doesn’t stop with God’s hand holding the heart of the king, though, he tells us what Yahweh does with His hand: “He turns it wherever He wishes.”
This should be comforting to us when we see sinful men abusing their authority (whether willfully or not). God holds and turns the hearts of rulers—He always has and always will. So when we have difficulty because of the sin of our rulers, the first place we need to turn is to the King of the kings. To Jesus.
I have had experiences in the past where I was convinced that an authority was going to make a grave error or commit a grave sin. When I have stopped, and prayed for change in the situation, and for God to change the heart of my ruler on that point I have invariably approached the situation with a better attitude, and I have also always seen God’s hand in it. More often than not, I was able to make a peaceful appeal and God either stayed off the action of my superior or I was able to convince him of his error. But even when the ruler continued in his decision, I was able to trust God with the heart and hand of the “king” in the situation—and to rest in God’s infinite knowledge of and control over the situation.
The heart of our rulers is in the hand of Yahweh—and He not only is able, but does turn that heart wherever He wishes, to accomplish His purposes.
When rulers sin, first appeal to the True King of kings who holds their hearts and you will see the hand of God in your trial—regardless of the outcome.
[...] has some thoughts about when rulers sin. I’m asking: When aren’t [...]
[...] has some thoughts about when rulers sin. I’m asking: When aren’t [...]