The Heart Of The King Is In The Hand Of The Lord
S. O. A. P.
Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!
S-cripture:
Ezra 7:26
Whoever does not obey the law of your God and the law of the king must surely be punished by death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment.
O-bservation:
These were the words of King Artaxerxes. He was the third in a line of three Persian kings who ruled Babylon after the Babylonian empire had been destroyed. He sent Ezra, the priest of Israel, back upon the completion of the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. But he didn’t just send him back home; he sent him back home with associates and money and power. He sent Ezra back home to Jerusalem to reinstitute the faith and way of approaching God that was the original Jewish way of doing faith. He said anyone who fails to fall into line with the teaching of the God of Israel would suffer complete destruction.
A-pplication:
This was a Persian king who was making Israel completely turn back to their faith. He respected the God of Israel, but we know that he never became a Jew. We have no indication that he embraced the faith the people of God embraced. What we do know is that at that time in history, he was all-powerful in the people’s eyes. But never forget that in the words of the wise man Solomon, “The Heart Of The King Is In The Hand Of The Lord.” You can respect your political leader, and you should, but always remember, he or she is never ever in complete control. Just like King Artaxerxes of old, when you least expect it, that leader may issue a decree that promotes the work of the Lord where you live. Why? Because “The Heart Of The King Is In The Hand Of The Lord.”
P-rayer:
Dear Jesus,
This AM, I’m reminded that at any given moment You are able to step in and overrule any authority here on earth. Because no matter how powerful any earthly human may be, it’s still true that “The Heart Of The King Is In The Hand Of The Lord.” Amen
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