The Most Powerful Position in the World

This is what the LORD says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut: I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. For the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen, I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me. I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things. - Isaiah 45:1-7

Over the past months (or what seems like years!) many dollars have been spent by political candidates to convince voters of different parties and persuasions that they are the individuals qualified to lead in the office for which they are running. In just a few weeks, Americans will cast their vote for local, state, and federal officials. Included will be a vote for the President of the United States. One news commentator said that this office is the "most powerful position in the world." If that is true, what a grave decision we have to make! What if collectively we choose the "wrong" candidate?

In the "crunch" time of Election 2008, the words above from the Prophet Isaiah written 2700 years ago can bring calm to our hearts. The Lord God already holds the most powerful position in the world! He knows who will be the next President. For that matter, he already knows how he will use him to carry out his plan for the world, even if the next President does not acknowledge the Lord God of the Bible as his God. He did it years ago when he "took hold of the right hand" of Cyrus, a pagan ruler in Persia and used him to "subdue nations" and "strip kings of their armor," i.e. to defeat the Babylonian Empire (see Scripture above). This action allowed the Lord's people Israel to return to their homeland of Canaan.

We are blessed to have the ability to participate in our political process and as responsible citizens, we should do that. But when we get worried or concerned about what is going to happen to America, or this world, rest assured that the One who truly rules the world, the LORD, the one who "formed the light and created the darkness," is in control. He tells us, "I, the LORD, do all these things."

Prayer:

Lord God, we have to admit that sometimes we worry and fret about life because we feel out of control. Too often we forget that you truly do control all things. Forgive us. Lead us today to look to you and marvel at how you have taken care of our biggest problem in life, that of our sin through the life, death and resurrection of your Son Jesus. Realizing our biggest issue in life has been resolved by you, let us find peace knowing you alone hold the most powerful position in the world and will use that position for our blessing. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.