God's Sovereignty

God gives rulership to whoever He wants, no one can stop Him or avert His good and righteous plan.
As A.W. Pink once wrote:
"The sovereignty of the God of Scripture is absolute, irresistible, infinite. When we say God is sovereign, we affirm His right to govern the universe, which He has made for His own glory, just as He pleases... He is under no obligation to give account of His matters to any." (A.W. Pink, The Sovereignty Of God, pg 21)

A Pagan ruler Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, was given revelation about God's sovereignty: 

Daniel 4:29 GNV

"And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass, as the oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou knowest, that the most High beareth rule over the kingdom of men, and giveth it unto whomsoever he will."

See this absolute sovereignty stated again in the New Testament in Romans 13:1-3

Romans 13:1-3 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)

"1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers: for there is no power but of God: and the powers that be, are ordained of God.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist, shall receive to themselves condemnation.

3 For Magistrates are not to be feared for good works, but for evil. Wilt thou then be without fear of the power? do well: so shalt thou have praise of the same."

Same passage in the ESV:

Romans 13:1-3 English Standard Version (ESV)

1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,

God has sovereignty over all nations at all times and works His multi-faceted plan in ways we cannot fathom. Many of us have a list of things we think need to happen in Canada, (or in another country like the US) but God alone knows ALL that needs to happen in our nations. Remember that if you don't like who is leading, pray for them and remember that God set them there to accomplish HIS will (not theirs). These rulers may think that they are accomplishing their own will but just keep in mind that God is working His own will, and doing what needs to be done to wake up His church and His people. We should always pray that God puts the right people in power. And He will answer those prayers, even when we can't understand God's choices.

Habakkuk 1:6 GNV
"For lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and furious nation, which shall go upon the breadth of the land to possess the dwelling places that are not theirs."

We can rest assured that God does what is best and will sometimes place wicked rulers in power for a season. In the Bible, this is often how God dealt with His people when they refused to repent from continuous sin on a national level.
 Sometimes and in some seasons, He places righteous rulers in power (2 Chron. 34:1-3). It all depends on what God, who is always pure (Hab. 1:13), righteous (Psa. 25:8), and holy (Psa. 99:5) , wants to do. Study the Scriptures, and ask The Holy Spirit to teach you the will of the Lord. Rest in the peace of knowing that God, your Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ, is in charge and is taking care of you! 

Luke 12:7 GNV

"Yea, and all the hairs of your head are numbered: fear not therefore: ye are more of value than many sparrows."

No election result, or plot, or political corruption, or other device of humans can stop or change that fact.

Proverbs 19:21 GNV
"Many devices are in a man’s heart: but the counsel of the Lord shall stand."
 

God Bless

Pastor Curtis

Sat Oct. 8, 2016 10:15pm EST

God Sets Up Governments. Do you Trust Him?

Christians: The Question is not whether or not you trust the Prime Minister of Canada or (for Americans) the President, or the current Candidates. The ultimate question is, Do you trust The Lord Jesus in what He is currently doing?

Take a look at these verses to think about God's sovereign hand in all nations.

Romans 13:1 ESV

13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

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Psalm 4:4-5 GENEVA

4 Tremble and sin not: examine your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the Lord.

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Note that David was under persecution from the governing authority, Saul, at the time he wrote Psalm 4. Saul was set up by God. And he was eventually removed by God for disobedience. But God did allow persecution to come to David, through Saul. 

The truth is, God sets up rulers and he takes them down again. He is sovereign over everything. 

Will you trust in the Lord more than in Canada? Will you trust in the Lord more than in The United States? Will you trust the Lord even though he instituted a Prime Minister you may, or may not like? Will you trust in the Lord even though He institutes presidential candidates you might not care for? 

The issue is, and always will be, that we must continually trust the Lord. He alone is in control of all nations at all times. Yes rulers do their plans. Jesus allows it for a time. But The Lord works a greater good that we cannot necessarily see. And He does it through all kinds of leaders. Just read through the Old Testament for many historical examples. 

Should we pray and then go out to vote in elections? Absolutely! But keep in mind the following verse:

Proverbs 19:21 GENEVA
21 Many devices are in a man’s heart: but the counsel of the Lord shall stand.

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So many devices, like elections, and laws and plans are in mankind's power. But ultimately it will always be the Lord's plan and counsel that is established. Don't be fooled into thinking that human democracy somehow overrules God's kingly sovereign influence. God always gets His way. God is looking not just at countries but also at the spiritual health of his churches within those nations. Are they hot for Jesus, or lukewarm? Have we grown too complacent? 

Let us learn to trust the Lord and pursue Him with spiritual passion. See, if we didn't have difficult times in politics, when would we ever look to the Lord in trust? The goal is always that we should pray for leaders...  and put our faith and trust firmly in Jesus Christ who is God and Lord of all. 

Do you trust the Lord in what He is doing in the current Canadian political landscape? Even if we don't understand it, we can STILL trust the Lord! This goes for Americans too! I don't profess to know even half of what God is currently doing. I do know that I can trust the Lord. 

I do not necessarily agree or disagree with the strong opinions I have been hearing here in Canada and also from my American friends. I mostly do a lot of listening and observing. And in the end, it is not my opinion that matters. God's counsel is what stands. 

Habakkuk did not understand why God established worldly and bitter leaders. 

He did not comprehend God's workings in politics... BUT he still trusted the Lord, because he knew the Lord. He knew that the Lord is righteous only, and pure. He knew that God's plans are good even when there are bad people in charge. Sometimes, God uses worldly leaders, and their persecution, to bring revival to churches, and reignite passion for Jesus. 

Habakkuk 1:5-7 GENEVA

5 Behold among the heathen, and regard, and wonder, and marvel: for I will work a work in your days: ye will not believe it, though it be told you.

6 For lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and furious nation, which shall go upon the breadth of the land to possess the dwelling places that are not theirs.

7 They are terrible and fearful: their judgment, and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.

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Habakkuk shows that his trust in God is unwavering.

Habakkuk 3:16-19 GENEVA

16 When I heard, my belly trembled: my lips shook at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: for when he cometh up unto the people, he shall destroy them.

17 For the fig tree shall not flourish, neither shall fruit be in the vines: the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat: the sheep shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no bullock in the stalls.

18 But I will rejoice in the Lord: I will joy in the God of my salvation.

19 The Lord God is my strength: he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on Neginoth.

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God bless you as you put all your trust in Jesus, and not in your own understanding.

-CJA

Thu. May 5/16 3:09pm EST