Whether you are encouraged or distressed by the results (thus far) of the 2020 election, there is great comfort in acknowledging and embracing Scripture’s teaching that God is sovereign over human events, including the outcome of elections. In Isaiah 46:10, God says, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please” (NIV). Those who believe in a God who knows “the end from the beginning” can relax because even though they don’t know what lies ahead, their sovereign God does.
“For dominion belongs to the LORD and He rules over the nations” (Psalm 22:28, BSB). Because God has absolute power, no one—including demons and humans who choose to violate His moral will—can thwart His ultimate purpose. “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will” (Proverbs 21:1).
The Lord “works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:11, NIV). Our fates do not rest in the hands of fallen humankind: politicians, lawyers, military officers, employers, or even spouses and children. If we believe this, our reaction to current events and to many of the difficulties we face will change. Problems will seem smaller, for although we can’t control them, we know God can—and that everything will work out for His glory and our good.
Charles Spurgeon said, “Cheer up, Christian! Things are not left to chance: no blind fate rules the world. God hath purposes, and those purposes are fulfilled. God hath plans, and those plans are wise, and never can be dislocated.”
Ultimately our hope must be in Jesus, this Sovereign over the nations: “O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you” (2 Chronicles 20:6).
Let these truths about God’s sovereignty, purposes, and trustworthiness bring you perspective and peace:
“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, His sovereignty rules over all.” (Psalm 103:19, NASB)
“He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; ... the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.” (Daniel 2:21; 4:17)
“It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.” (Psalm 118:8-9)
“…you are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in your hand, and it is in your hand to make great and to give strength to all.” (1 Chronicles 29:12, CSB)
“He stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases.” (Job 23:13, NIV)
“The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.” (Psalms 33:10-11)
“Do not trust in nobles, in a son of man, who cannot save. When his breath leaves him, he returns to the ground; on that day his plans die. Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them. He remains faithful forever…” (Psalm 146:3-6, CSB)
“His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:14, CSB)
Photo by Kristaps Ungurs on Unsplash
