The Government Is Upon His Shoulders

To hope and trust in God means doing so in His power and providence; not in our might and motives. Again, this may seem as a simple truth, and it is, but always remember that simple rarely equates to easy. We are hard-wired to do things on our own. But when we are placing our hope and trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, we can see with eternal eyes and know that God is in control.

We just finished preparing our annual church budget to present to the church. This is not a budget that looks at the economic uncertainty in our nation. It is not a budget that considers that perhaps people will be strapped for money and giving will inevitably be down.

It is a budget quite the opposite.

It is a budget that is God-breathed, believing in the power and providence of God because glory to Him, He has a sterling record at our church. He is always faithful, always providing, and always protecting. To a man we believe that although we do not know what the future in America will bring, we all know that God will bring us through.

And we also feel to the depths of our souls that this uncertainty our country is facing will bring even more people seeking answers to the questions of life. And they will not be searching for just the feelgood message. They’ve already had a generation of that. People are now seeking the truth of the unvarnished gospel of Jesus Christ, whether they know it or not.

Beloved, our government is not run by Barack Obama, the Democrats, or even RINOs for that matter. Our government is run by God. The old cliché of we get the government we deserve is always true. And if what we are receiving is not palatable to liberty, then we must seek the cure to our problems, not ointments for the symptoms.

Our nations woes are spiritual, plain and simple. We’ve long forgotten Whom actually is in control of this world. How about we look at a “Christmas” verse, meaning one we seemingly never apply to everyday life even though it Is a promise from God:

    “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

(I threw an extra verse in there for good measure).

Jesus Christ is in control and His name is Wonderful (not Wonderful Counselor). His name is also Counselor. His name is Mighty God. His name is Everlasting Father. He is the Prince of Peace. His government will be such that its growth and peace will know no end. This Mighty Ruler will sit upon the throne of David, the mightiest human king ever, from whom our King comes. We can look to King Jesus for perfect judgment and justice. We can rely on it, we can trust it, we can never waver from it. Why? Because the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this we are told by the Prophet Isaiah.

The 19th Century Presbyterian minister and writer Dr. William S. Plumer left us with this truth nugget about God’s providence:

    God’s government will never fail in any part of the world, in any event of life, or in any tumult of the nations.

If we can shake our heads in agreement and say “Amen” to Dr. Plumer’s quote, then can we rest in its truth? Can we truly believe that the government of this world is on the shoulders of the Lord Jesus Christ? Can we?!

And can we find comfort in these truths in the midst of trying and terrifying times? The Prophet Isaiah answers absolutely!

    “Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.” (Isaiah 40:10-11)

Commenting on Psalm 46, Matthew Henry wrote that it “encourages to hope and trust in God; in His power and providence, and His gracious presence with His church in the worst of times.”

We will face tough times, whether it be economically or physically, but none will be tougher than the spiritual battles we will face. That may not concern you right now but your greatest challenge will be facing spiritual enemies. Pastor Henry says we can face those too and that we can conquer them.

More on that tomorrow…

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

If you’re receiving these devotionals for the first time and would like to receive them on a regular basis, please email me at jeffers221@bellsouth.net and use “Please add to Devotional List” as the subject.

    Copyright © 2012 David Jeffers

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,