“They are coming from a far country, from the farthest horizons, the Lord and His instruments of indignation, to destroy the whole land.” — Isaiah 13:5 (NASB95)
So, have you ever walked through portions of your life wanting to know who is in control anyway? We hear politicians tell us that if we vote for them and let them be in charge they will change things for us. We hear television ads tell us that if we buy their product it will change things for us. We hear modern-day philosophers and psychologists tell us that we need to take control of our own lives and then things can change for us. I hear what they are all saying, but then I read verses like the one above and I wonder, are we giving God enough credit for and control over the changes we seek?
Throughout the book of Isaiah, verses like this pop up telling us that ultimately God is in control. Notice the phrase, “The Lord and His instruments of indignation.” God, through the prophet Isaiah, is telling everyone who will listen: “I am in control. I move people, kings, and nations as my instruments.” He is telling us that history ebbs and flows according to His providential will. He uproots the evil and blesses the God. He uses one nation to punish another for the sake of His kingdom. That is the key! All the kingdoms of the world are really chess pieces in the hands of God so that His kingdom may be furthered.
Have you ever thought about the fact that the world keeps spinning for the sake of the church and its message? God is moving kingdoms in the world for the sake of His Church. There is a world out there that still needs to hear the Gospel, and God is going to move presidents, kings and nations in whatever way He deems so that the message of the Gospel can be proclaimed. Woe to the president, king or nation that stands in the way of proclamation of the Gospel and the movement of God’s kingdom. History tells us they will not stand for long. God will move them out of the way, just as He did to Israel and Judah during Isaiah’s times, so that His word might be proclaimed and His kingdom furthered.
Let’s watch the political movements of the world with discerning eyes. Let’s keep our sights on God’s kingdom and where it is going. Let’s focus on the second petition of the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy kingdom come.”
Peace!
Pastor Tom
www.firmlyrooted.church
