Who will be in Charge on Jan. 1, 2009?
As Election Day approaches, political parties spew accusations and vie for control of the White House, while power hungry candidates are tempted to say and do almost anything to land on top. But on Nov. 4, only one will be elected president, and he will be in charge. Or will he?
In Luke 2:1 it seems that Caesar Augustus, adopted son of Julius Caesar, is in charge. Wright explains that he took control after eliminating all the opposition. Then he issued a world wide decree for registration, which meant Joseph and his pregnant fiancé, Mary, had to travel to Bethlehem during her last trimester. So instead of giving birth back in Nazareth, Caesar was responsible for stranding them in Bethlehem, where they had to lay Jesus in a feeding-trough. Or was he?
The story takes an interesting turn when angels begin proclaiming tidings of great joy to shepherds. “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Right in the middle of the angel’s pronouncement, we hear something shocking. Caesar was emperor but he was not in charge after all. The true LORD, ruler, sovereign had arrived in Bethlehem in a manger.
Then the pieces start to fit. The place, like the birth, was not accidental but planned. In fact looking back to Micah 5:2 and other OT prophecies, it is pretty clear that Caesar was a mere pawn in the hand of God. While thinking he was ruling the world, he was merely setting the stage for the real Ruler to appear.
So the age old fight for power on earth continues, but regardless of who is president, emperor, dictator or governor, only one is ‘in charge’ and that One will always be the Sovereign Lord. During election season, that is truly tidings of great joy.
Jeannie Vogel
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
I think Jesus replay in Matt. 22:21 gives us a very important principle on this topic "Then he said to them, 'Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.'" We as Christians should be obedient to our governments knowing that ultimately God is in control.
I am so thankful that God is in control.When I read the Old Testament, I see how God judged the nations. He blinded the eyes of the wicked. Is it our turn next?We have been given so many blessings and are so complacent.We turn a blind eye to evil. We call evil good and good evil.I pray the Lord will give us mercy and not what we deserve.I pray that the Lord will gather in the last one that is willing to be saved and come back quickly for his own.Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Thinking on a very simple level, voting is a reflection of each person's decision making philosophies. Unfortunately, too many people vote for the wrong reasons. They don't look at the character of the runner or the integrity and wisdom of the runner. They focus on the popularity and reputation of the politician. As I vote, I leave it in God's hand recognizing that He is ultimately in control. I agree that our God is not a God of coincidences, rather divine appointments using the righteous and unrighteous as His tools.
I think the best candidate is the candidate that realizes that he (or she!) is not the one in control. Humility is a character trait that is lacking in our political arena today.
God is in ultimate control even when it does not make sense to us, keep this in mind on November 5th.
Post a Comment