Strength

“… so that the nations might tremble at your presence” (Isa. 64.2).

“There is strength in numbers.” — Everyone knows that. When we feel that we are a member of the majority we feel empowered and significant. Who can argue with the majority? We live in a land that assumes the truth and wisdom of these words. Our system of government is based upon the will of the majority. When the people have spoken who can impeach their authority? … Well, you may not be able to tell it, but I do not mean that as a rhetorical question. In a nation where “we the people” carries a lot of weight, we should not acknowledge any human as having more authority than the collective majority. (Can you think of any of our illustrious politicians who is qualified to tell everyone else what to do?!) … On the other hand, there is one who not only has more authority than any person or group, no matter how large, but is prepared to exercise it. You know, of course, that I refer to the authority of God. God stands over against every government of the world, ours included. The unchanging God who created all things has ordained that human affairs be directed by fallible human minds. But God will also hold these governments established by fallible men accountable for how they use their authority. As God establishes and supports cooperative leaders, so He can and does depose them when He sees fit. Governments change. God does not. The faithful souls who first prayed the words written above understood that. They were not in the majority in the land in which they lived. In fact, they may have never known what a truly godly governing official was like. They were likely suffering the consequences of their own sins, and the sins of others. Yet, they believed in their God and knew He had the final say about the affairs of the people in this world. As powerful as the majority is, it is not as powerful as God. Truly when God is ready the nations will tremble at His presence. In changing times we need to remember that.

Michael Case