Inauguration Day Thoughts
Today, a new president is sworn into office. The 2020 election has divided the nation like never before, creating animosity, bitterness, and heartache. But as an author of a book I am reading said, “God is in control of the one in control.”
1 Timothy 2:1-4 commands us to pray for those in authority, no matter how evil they are. “This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” (NLT) Paul said this while living under the emperor Nero, one of the most notoriously evil leaders of all history. 1 Peter 2:13-14 says that for the Lord’s sake, we are to submit to those in authority as that authority has been instituted by God. Yet we must also remember that when a law instituted by man goes against God’s holy commandments, we are to respond as Peter and the apostles did to the godless high priest in Acts 5:25-29, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.” (NLT) And in Acts 4, 19-20, when commanded by the Sanhedrin to stop preaching about Jesus, Peter and John challenged the leaders, “But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
I chose instead to turn our focus toward the One Whose kingdom is eternal, who rules over all. He will one day enthrone Himself upon the earth to judge the living and the dead (Matthew 25:31-46). and to make all things new (Revelation 21:1-7). Consider the following in light of the feeble human beings being sworn into the offices of president and vice-president today:
Our God cannot be voted into or out of office. He does not need to campaign. He is already “in office” and does not need our approval to exercise His overarching authority. His term has no limits; it never ends. He doesn’t need to step down and try again four years later (Psalms 75:7, Psalms 145:13, Revelation 11:15).
He is not part of any political party (Acts 10:32).
No one can run against Him. Someone tried that once, a long time ago, and he lost badly. His name is Satan and he was cast out of heaven. His destiny is hell (Revelation 12:9).
Our God has no running mate. He needs no advisors (Isaiah 40:13).
Our God has ultimate power over not just one nation but over all nations and all people. He decides who will rule those nations and when their time is up (Psalms 2, Jeremiah 18:7-10).
His laws cannot be changed or eliminated by any cultural trends or preferences. He and His laws cannot be mocked or ignored without terrible, eternal consequences (John 3:18, Romans 1:18-32, Galatians 6:7).
What He has promised, He will do. No one can stop his plans and purposes
(2 Peter 1:4, Numbers 23:19, Ephesians 1:9-10).
God does not lie (Hebrews 6:18) but rejoices in the truth (1 Corinthians 13:6).
He needs no Secret Service to protect him for He is the Protector, the Rock, a Strong Fortress and a very present Help in trouble (Psalms 46:1, 2 Samuel 22:31).
God cannot be impeached either while in office or out of office. People may lie about Him or misrepresent or misunderstand His character but the truth about Him is found in the Bible and the gates of hell will never prevail against the truth (Deuteronomy 32:39-41).
He cannot be bribed or corrupted. He is altogether holy, perfect, just, and loving. He cannot be tempted by evil and tempts no one to do evil(Deuteronomy 10:17, James 1:13).
Our God cannot be assasinated. Satan and those serving him tried over two thousand years ago. In fact, it looked like they’d succeeded. But they’d played right into God’s plan and God’s hand all along, helping Him to bring about our redemption that God had instituted since before creation (Acts 2:22-24). Jesus, the author of life, laid His own life down and took his own life up again (John 10:18). God raised Him from the dead, conquering sin, death, and hell so that we who believe in Him might be the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21) and have a new life, hidden with Christ in God. He alone can save us and satisfy our deepest desires (Psalms 84:2, Isaiah 55:1-2).
So let us remember and live by what Colossians 3:1-4 says, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.” (NLT)
God rules, God reigns, and He alone deserves our trust and obedience.
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