over the kingdoms of men
and gives them
to anyone He wishes ... ' "
(Daniel 4:17; see also 4:25, 32; 5:21)
There's a well-known saying: "Be careful what you wish for", which subtly underscores the fact that what seems so wonderful on the surface may not be the blessing for which we hope. To put it more bluntly, if we wish for anything contrary to the heart and Word of of God, we can be sure that whatever we desire will be our downfall.
The 2008 US Presidential elections are over. There is not enough time or space here to articulate the significance of choices that were made, but, before we further flesh out this morning's reflection, let us remember that, as Christians, our battle is not against other human beings, all of whom our God created in His image. Our battle is against the Lord's enemy, the great deceiver. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12).
The battle, in fact, belongs to the Lord, and if you've read the back of the Book, you know the Lord wins the war! But Divine sovereignty does not negate human responsibility, and, as long as we are on this earth, we are to stand firm on this earthly battleground, clothed in the full armor of God (reference Ephesians 6:10-20), uncompromising in His Word, and unyielding in His purpose.
The day after the elections, I turned to the eighth chapter of 1 Samuel and sadly reread the account of Israel demanding an earthly king. They were not satisfied under the rule of the King of kings; they wanted an earthly king "such as all the other nations" (v. 5) had, and they pestered Samuel to appoint one.
As Samuel prayed with a troubled heart, the Lord told him: " ' ... it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their King. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking Me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.' " (v. 7-9). Verses 10-17 recount the actual burdens that would accompany the kingship for which the people wished, but, not seeing the proverbial forest for the trees, the people pressed on, unrelenting in their desire for an earthly ruler.
Samuel warned, " 'When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day.' But the people refused to listen to Samuel. 'No!' they said. 'We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.' When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. The LORD answered, 'Listen to them and give them a king.' " (v. 18-21).
The Lord chose to turn the people over to their wishes, and they lived in the consequences of their desire. Hindsight is 20-20 vision, as another saying goes, and, in retrospect, I am certain that after the Lord granted their wish for an earthly king, many of of the Israelites recognized that the grass is not always greener on the other side (where are all these sayings coming from today?!) and wished that they had been more discerning in their demands.
There are good earthly rulers, and there are bad earthly rulers, but all are under the sovereignty of God, Who "sets up kings and deposes them" (Daniel 2:21). Scripture records the accounts of all kinds of rulers, all of whom were used for the Lord's purposes. Jeremiah 22 is one portion of Scripture that details God's judgement against evil kings, and this particular passage strikes my heart: " ' People from many nations will pass by this city and will ask one another, 'Why has the LORD done such a thing to this great city?' And the answer will be: 'Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God and have worshiped and served other gods.' " (v. 8-9).
Beloved, regardless of who is temporarily granted earthly authority and power, our love and loyalty must never stray from the Lord Jesus Christ, "the ruler of the kings of the earth" (Revelation 1:5). No human being can ever fulfill our desires for abundant freedom, love, protection, and welfare. Those pangs of longing will be softened here on earth only by the peace that comes from personally knowing and publicly acknowledging the Lord Jesus Christ, and one day, for those who persevere in faith, in trust, and in love, those longings will be forever and fully satisfied as we joyfully enter our heavenly home where "the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7:17).
In the meantime, precious ones, let us move forward as Paul did: "... straining toward what is ahead ... press[ing] on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14). Let us choose carefully and let us wish well, remembering that "the world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:17).
Precious Father, what a holy, just, righteous, and incomparable King you are! My mind can not begin to comprehend the depths of Your love, mercy, and grace. But neither, precious Father, can I comprehend the shallowness of our own hearts. Please forgive us for swaying whichever way the wind blows (reference Isaiah 24:20; Matthew 11:7, 22:16; Mark 12:14; Luke 7:24; 2 Timothy 3:6), and please help us stay firmly rooted in You. I pray that Your people will choose carefully, discern divinely, and wish well. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ--King of kings and Lord of lords! Amen.
And let him who hears say, 'Come!'
Whoever is thirsty, let him come;
and whoever wishes,
let him take the free gift
of the water of life."
(Revelation 22:17)
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Copyright 2008. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.
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