The Powers That Be

November 2008

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life ." – I Tim 2:1-2 (KJV)

This week is a monumental time in America. A few days from now, one of the most historic elections ever will be held in these United States. Either choice will prove notable in that we may either elect the very first woman as Vice President, or even more remarkably, potentially the first African American may be elected President. 

This is truly something I never expected to see in my lifetime. And although I must say, I would love to see an African American holding the highest office in the land, it is really not what I want, not what you want. It is not what we want as a people, what we have hoped for, or have even prayed for. The ultimate decision really is God's. Daniel says, "He removes kings and sets up kings." (Daniel 2:21) The Psalmist says, "Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: He puts down one, and sets up another." (Psalm 75:7) And I guess George Bush would say, He [God] is "the Decider". 

So why pray, we may ask? Why pray, if God's mind is already made up? 

Well, there are many reasons why we should pray. 

One of the main reasons we  pray is to learn to accept what God allows. We pray to accept His will, knowing that not only is His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts, but His purposes are also higher than ours - higher, more exact, and most true. (Isaiah 55:9) Learning to accept is crucial in the walk of a Christian. When we learn to accept, we learn submission. When we learn submission, we learn obedience. And even Jesus, "although He were a Son, yet He [Himself] learned obedience ..."  (Hebrews 5:8) Submission is the first step to that obedience, an obedience that is better than sacrifice. (I Samuel 15:22)

Another reason to pray is that God may in fact change His mind. Many times in the Old Testament, we read where God pronounced a thing against His people, Israel or Judah, and when the people repented, God relented and ultimately repented of His judgment. This is an example of the permissive will of God. 

What we desire, however, is the perfect will of God. In the perfect will of God, we get God's best. In His perfect will, no matter what happens, we know that He is in control. As we've heard many times before: We don't know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future. 

So, no matter which, the perfect will or the permissive will of God, one thing I do know is that regardless of who is elected into office this coming Tuesday, God's will will be done, "for the powers that be are ordained of God". (Romans 13:1) No matter who is elected, or some may  say selected, "the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord."  (Proverbs 21:1) He is God's minister, Paul says, to us for good. (Romans 13:4) He is God's minister to do God's will. And as the king, the president or men in authority are God's ministers, we are His instruments. In other words, we still have to go out and vote. We are His hands, feet and mouthpiece in the earth. We are His fingers that will pull the lever this election, whoever He purposes in our hearts to vote for. 

And so let us pray this Monday to know the perfect will of God that we may rejoice no matter what the outcome is this week. And "In everything giving thanks," because whatever happens, "it is the will of God concerning you,"  assured that the perfect will of God is for our collective good, and His great glory. 

May God bless you,  and may you continue to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Love in Christ,

Minister Jackie A. Stewart