Unfathomable Grace

Did you like Bill Clinton? Was Mr. Bush more to your liking? Do you look with longing at the days of Barak Obama? What is your view of Donald Trump? Who do you want next?

Is there a term that describes your political posture? Are you more liberal, progressive, moderate, or conservative? In your views, are you more inclined to side with the Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, or “none of the above?”

Where are you in regards to:

• Tax Cuts, Budget Deficit, and our National Debt
• Single Payer Health Care, Fiscal Responsibility, and a Competitive Marketplace
• Border Security, Immigration Law, DACA, and Amnesty
• Iraq, Iran, Syria, Russia, North Korea, and Jerusalem
• Marriage Definitions, Gender Definitions, and Religious Liberty
• Standing for the Anthem, Pledge, Police, or Abused Brothers

Whoever you are, I am fairly sure you are frustrated. Approval numbers for all three branches of government are pathetic, and at any point, on any issue, most of you are perpetually displeased. It is true that many of your leaders lack wisdom and character. Meaningful, substantial, factual, motivating, and charitable dialogue is an art of the past. Your American populace is polarized; everything is in flux; chaos abounds. Your government seems largely dysfunctional; much appears to be heading in the wrong direction. Yet, when you look outside the United States of America, the situation abroad is much worse.

However, today, I want to encourage you with some spiritual truth. Here it is: Though your government is dysfunctional and pretty bad, your God is still sovereign and is very good. And here is some more good news, God and his people have been down this road over and over again. The names change, but the outcome is still the same. It matters not if one is Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Xerxes, Alexander, or Caesar Augustus, God always accomplishes 100% of his perfect will, and in the end his people rejoice.

I present one piece of evidence from Luke 2:1–7:

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

If you were a worshiping believer in that day, the following would have been true of you:

• Your church leaders were weak
• Your local political leaders were polarized (Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Zealots)
• Your national leaders were corrupt; they were “on the take”
• Your nation was servitude to another
• Your national and cultural identity was deluded
• Your economic situation was depressed
• Your taxation rate was neither fixed nor fair

However, in the midst of the chaos, God was in control. Caesar Augustus, Herod, and Quirinius were pawns in the hand of God. Joseph and Mary were struggling, but they were safe in the arms of their Beloved Father. Taxes were going up, but salvation was coming down. And though the politicians made their decrees, all they were doing was fulfilling the prophetic promises made by the King of kings.

Oh friends, tell you soul to “Be still.” Things may not be going well for your preferred platform, party, president, or place, but all is working according to the fantastic plan of your Heavenly Father. Politic well. Vote appropriately. Pray for your government, and obey their wacky decrees. (Even if they force you and your pregnant wife to travel to be registered and pay your taxes.) But as you are frustrated, and as you cry a river of tears and watch some of your funds go to a corrupt governmental system, never lose faith in your Sovereign God. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the Judge of judges, the Legislator of legislators, and President of presidents. He has never been frustrated yet, and he doesn’t plan on being so in the future. Tax rates may rise and increase. Health care may deprove or improve. Walls may go up, ethics may go down, and personal freedoms may go away. Yes, your government and world may be dysfunctional and pretty bad, but your God is still sovereign, and he is very good.

Now … look up, live with confidence, and glorify God. Even though all is not good, all is well.