Today's guest blogger is Lesley Eischen. This blog was originally posted on April 18, 2013 on her blog, The Hallowed Path. She kindly updated it for this repost. Lesley has given her gracious permission for me to dip into her writing anytime and post what fancies me. Lesley describes herself as, "A Christ following, Midwestern wife and homeschooling mom who enjoys learning as much as teaching. With an affinity for ‘narrow passages’ (Matthew 7:13-14)." She frequently posts excellent book reviews by Christian authors. I think you will be interested in checking out her blog.
These days it’s as though the chaos among us is swirling at warp speed and for those of us who have a tendency towards motion sickness the impulse to panic is imminent.
The US border crisis, the chaos of the Ferguson shooting, the atrocities committed by ISIS, inclement weather, the economy lurching towards implosion, morality collapsing and suffering plunders without discrimination. It strikes at our foundation and leaves us grappling to maintain our footing.
Where do we turn? What do we do?
“And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”” ~ Nehemiah 4:14
Remember the Lord…
Unlike earthly rulers, God’s power and authority is not limited. He is not encumbered by legislation, lobbyists or the latest poll. No one elects Him. He can not be voted out, overruled, impeached or unseated. He is free from any outside influence or control. All authority, rulers, dominions, thrones, heavenly and earthly forces are subject to Him. His rule supersedes all else. His reign always has been and always will be.
“…I am a great King says the Lord of hosts,
and my name will be feared among the nations.” ~ Malachi 1:14
He is the Lord of Hosts…
He is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. He is the incomparable King over all that is seen and unseen. He has the allegiance of an army, an army of angels that obey His voice. He has innumerable legions, myriads of myriads and thousands upon thousands of angels that are more powerful than any army among the heavens or earth that mobilize at His will to contend for, protect and minister to those who trust and obey Him.
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. ~ Deuteronomy 10:17
He is the Lord of lords and King of kings…
He builds or abandons NATIONS. He makes them rise or fall. He brings desolation to HIGH OFFICIALS and puts others in their place. He robs WORLD LEADERS of their reason and renders them clueless. He stripsSCHOLARS of their credentials and makes their education worthless. He overthrows THE MIGHTY and strips away their leadership. He denounces the authority of KINGS their right to rule and clothes them in rags. He reveals the judgments of JUDGES and exposes them as fools. He reduces PRINCES AND RULERSto nothing. He pours contempt on NOBLES and disarms the POWERFUL .
For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. Psalm 22:28
He rules over the Nations…
A historical study of the world map and its changes provides evidence of the vast and constant alterations in appearances of borders. Although many would assert that political or historical forces were the catalyst as to whether kingdoms rose and fell, territories expanded or diminished, or governments ruled or became obsolete, the Bible teaches that the Lord made every nation, determining their allotted periods of time and the boundaries of their dwelling place.
But the LORD sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice, and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness. ~ Psalm 9:7-8
He Judges the world…
The scriptures are clear that the Lord abhors a corrupt government. Their conduct is significant because any authority governs on His behalf. He appoints them. There is no authority except from God. They are mere representatives for Him. His Word warns that those in authority who fail to govern in accordance with His standards, those who are evil and wicked, will face His wrath. He is the Lawgiver. He is the Government. He is the Judge. He is King.
“The LORD is great, and our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases He does, in heaven and in earth” ~ Psalm 135:5-6
The Lord isn’t wringing His hands wondering what will happen next. He’s not taken by surprise or rendered unaware. He is sovereign from the expanse of the cosmos to the minute details of our individual lives.
“The hindering of good work is what bad men aim at, and promise themselves success in; but good work is God’s work, and it shall prosper. God has many ways of bringing to light, and so of bringing to nought, the devices and designs of his church’s enemies. If our enemies cannot frighten us from duty, or deceive us into sin, they cannot hurt us. Nehemiah put himself and his cause under the Divine protection. It was the way of this good man, and should be our way. All his cares, all his griefs, all his fears, he spread before God. Before he used any means, he made his prayer to God. Having prayed, he set a watch against the enemy. If we think to secure ourselves by prayer, without watchfulness, we are slothful, and tempt God; if by watchfulness, without prayer, we are proud, and slight God: either way, we forfeit his protection. God’s care of our safety, should engage and encourage us to go on with vigour in our duty. As soon as a danger is over, let us return to our work, and trust God another time.” ~ Matthew Henry commentary of Nehemiah 14:4
In other words, don’t panic. Step away from the Dramamine. Instead, shake off the despondency and be an agent of Truth. Live by His precepts and obey His Word. He is our Deliverer. He has equipped us to proclaim His glory. The Lord has placed us in this present time with the privilege of serving our God and our generation. We mustn’t let it slip away.
God will never allow any action against you that is not in accord with His will for you. And His will is always directed to our good. ~ Jerry Bridges
And His glory.
Labels: Guest Blogger- Eischen