Relax, God’s Got This

Relax, God’s Got This - By Howard Green - https://www.raptureready.com/2021/03/04/relax-gods-got-this-by-howard-green/ The months leading up to the recent 2020 Presidential election were punctuated by prayers, rallies, and a tangible sense of urgency among many evangelicals that Donald Trumpmust be re-elected or all hope is lost. There was a perception among many believers that it was God’s will for Trump to serve as President again because of his Christian world-view and support for Israel. There was a consensus among some evangelicals thatTrump had to be re-elected in order for God’s plans for the U.S. and the world to come to fruition. Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020, was a day marked by confusion and conflicting reports regarding the outcome of the Presidential election. As Joe Biden became the projectedwinner, the weeks that followed were marked by a confidence that the election results could be overturned through the courts at a state level, and there was hope that the Supreme Court would act. As these efforts to recount votes failed one by one, optimismfaded into the realization that, barring some miracle, Trump would have to leave the White House. On January 20th, 2021, at 12:00 pm, Joe Biden was inaugurated, and he became the 46th President of the United States, much to the dismay of many Christians. Many well-meaning Christians placed their desperate hope in a man and this world, not in Jesus and His kingdom to come. Regardless of how you feel about the validity ofthe election results, many believers gave too much credit to the voters and Dominion machines instead of to the One who raises up and deposes kings (Daniel 2:21). Over the course of the past year, we witnessed a lot of confusion among Christians. Some couldn’t stand the thought of voting for Trump, while it appears that others couldn’timagine God’s plan going forward without him. Both groups overlooked a basic biblical principle that should bring peace and clarity to believers regardless of the current political climate, and it is this: God will ultimately decide who is in power. We see this exact scenario play out multiple times in scripture. One example is during King Zedekiah’s reign over Israel. Approximately ten years before Jerusalem fell toBabylon, God tells Jeremiah to warn Israel and the small kingdoms surrounding it that they must serve the King of Babylon. In fact, God calls Nebuchadnezzar His servant! (Jeremiah 27:6). He then goes on to warn those nations, if they don’t serve the King ofBabylon, they will be punished with the sword, pestilence, and famine in Jeremiah 27:8. In our finite thinking, we might ask, How can God do such a thing? His word provides the answer in Jeremiah 27:5. God’s wisdom is infinite, and He will do what is rightto Him, which includes giving temporary authority over lands, people, and animals into the hands of both good and evil leaders to accomplish His purposes. Please understand my point: I’m not equivocating the reign of Zedekiah and Nebuchadnezzar to former President Trump or President Biden. My point is that we cannot be soshortsighted and faithless to think that God has somehow been caught by surprise and is nervously pacing the floor in heaven because of an election outcome. The biblical reality is that God orchestrated and allowed the election results. It’s not my intentto go into the debate of “Stopping the Steal” vs. “No Election Fraud” because God saw fit in His wisdom to place Joe Biden in office. Daniel 2:21 gives us full assurance that God is the One who has the final say in every King’s coronation, Presidential election, and even a despot’s temporary regime. Tothink anything else is to give ourselves undue credit. Some people have wandered into the false teaching of dominion theology by thinking that if we can just elect the right man, hold a majority, and clean up the country, then the stage will be set for Jesusto return. They neglect the fact that God is truly in control and is bringing His plans to fruition. The Bible tells us that God used good and evil leaders to bring about His will. He raised up Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, and even Rome to accomplish His purposes. As Christians, we can rest in the knowledge that God is in control and the events that are happening all around us are sanctioned by Him. Followers of God from ancient timesto right now have placed their trust in His providential care. Job, Esther, Jeremiah, Daniel, the early church, Reformation saints, Bonhoeffer, Ten Boom, and scores of others saw past the harsh reality of this world and put their faith in their God who hasthe final authority on what is allowed to happen (Job 42:1-6). This brings us to the current days we live in. If we apply God’s unchanging word to our time, as believers, we are compelled to understand that He is bringing leaders, nations,geopolitical crises, and society toward the event that will be the culmination of human history, the return of Jesus. We are living in times of increasing economic, social, and global upheaval. The tepid leadership in America and Western Europe is placatingto China, Iran, Russia, and other enemies of freedom. Closer to home and just as dangerous are the self-righteous cancel-culture crusaders, who continue to stoke hatred and jealousy through Marxist, woke, and anti-Judeo-Christianideology. The threat to personal and religious freedom cannot be overstated. Given the current leadership and hostile social climate of our day, I believe widespread retaliation and even persecution of people of faith will likely begin in short order. Theostracizing and bullying is already beginning to be encouraged, if not sanctioned by big-tech, big-media, and even some in leadership. Remember that taking a stand for the Lord will cost you something (Hebrews 10:32-33). As Christians, it should come as no surprise that the world will hate you. Culture, society, and individuals will continue to hate us for our faith. It’s wrong to teachthat society will get better when the Bible teaches no such thing. Remember that leaders, nations, and events are all moving toward a crescendo, and as believers, we can have full assurance that our lives are in God’s hands (Hebrews 11:32-39). Jesus Himselfwarned us that the world would hate us, and Peter encourages us to be ready to suffer for righteousness’s sake (1 Peter 3:13-16). I want to remind you to pray for those in authority and obey them, as long as it doesn’t conflict with our obedience to Christ(Romans 13:1, 1 Peter 2:13 and Acts 5:29). Dear friends, let me encourage you in the Lord. You can have true contentment, peace, and even joy, regardless of the chaotic conditions around you. Jesus told us to stayawake, be alert, and be about His business. I want to exhort you to be more concerned about eternity than November 2022 & 2024. Certainly, vote pro-life and Christian values, but make it your utmost priority to be a bold, loving, witness for Jesus. I wantto tell you that prophecy is being fulfilled, Jesus is coming soon, and to relax, God’s got this. Remember the promise of our Lord in Matthew 28:20 to be with us always. All for Him, Howard concerningthetimes.com VISIT: PROPHECY WATCHER WEEKLY NEWS: HTTP://PROPHECY-WATCHER-WEEKLY-NEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM