God's Sovereign Rule

“Can we blind ourselves to the great change which has taken place in the military situation, and to the dangers we have to meet?

This is only the beginning of the reckoning. This is only the first sip, the first foretaste of a bitter cup which will be proffered to us year by year unless by a supreme recovery of moral health and martial vigour, we arise again and take our stand for freedom as in the olden time.”

Winston Churchill, 5 October 1938. House of Commons

Seems very apt considering the events of this week as many have been exercising our democratic right, to have our collective opinion heard. In these passages from Roman’s Paul reminds us that everything in God’s hands, that no power exists unless God allows it. It reminds us that God does not operate a democracy, he doesn’t have to rely on people voting, neither does he have to worry about what will happen when people vote. He is in control and if we get it wrong, if our democratic decision are wrong, are not in our interests as the people of God, then He will work to reset the balance, to get it all back on track.

We know this because elsewhere in Romans 8:28 we read:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” 

Perhaps things would go better in our democratic process if we spent more time understanding what God wants. I wonder how many Christians spent more time with God seeking His will, than listening to all the misinformation and misleading claims of both halves of the debate? We can understand what God wants if only we are prepared to try.

Paul instructs us in Romans 12:2:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” 

How many of us before, during and since the referendum have not listened to this, not adhered to this. And how many have ignored the commandment “love your neighbor as yourself”?

Our country, Europe, the whole world, are in uncertain times and the recent referendum is just one other thing that adds to that uncertainty.

One thing that we can be certain in these changeable times is that God is unchangeable, that He is here for us, and that His will is sovereign over all. So, "Trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding. In all our ways acknowledge Him and he will make straight our paths."