HOW GOD CAN USE NATIONAL LEADERS

November 06, 2024

Is God overseen by national leaders or vice versa? Do earthly Kings rule over our Heavenly King, or is God ruling regardless of men's activities? Can God take national leaders, even those who may not be genuine believers, and use them for His purposes?

Cyrus, the ruler of the known world in his day, thought so.

The Book of Ezra records an amazing event that occurred through King Cyrus's agency in his first year of rule.

1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying:

2 “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

3 ‘Whoever there is among you of all His people, may his God be with him! Let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem.

4 ‘Every survivor, at whatever place he may live, let the men of that place support him with silver and gold, with goods and cattle, together with a freewill offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.’ ”(Ezra 1:1-4)

WHY?

The Hebrew people were captives in Cyrus' kingdom. Why was this King suddenly moved to do an extraordinary thing, i.e., not only to allow but also to vigorously support the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem?

Why did this happen? God wanted His temple rebuilt. That’s why. He had accomplished His purposes in the judgment of His people, and now He wanted them to return and rebuild. Ezra and Nehemiah record this stunning activity. There may be many other reasons, but that is the simple reality. God wanted it done, and a king—any king—was no impediment to His activity.

HOW?

How did this amazing turn of events happen? “The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus.” No other explanation needed. God moved on the heart of a King and moved his heart to accomplish the will of God and the blessing of God’s people.

Not only did Cyrus allow it, but he also moved people to give to the effort, which is reminiscent of how God moved on the hearts of the Egyptians to give to the Hebrews when they left Egypt.

If you think it is not viable or useful to pray for government leaders and governmental decisions, you are wrong. In fact, we are commanded to do so. (Read 1 Timothy 2). God is deeply and actively involved in the affairs of men, and He moves things around for His sovereign purposes to be accomplished. He wants His kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth, just as it is being done in heaven, and we are vital partners in this enterprise. Remember, He made you like He is so you can join Him in what He does.

And lest you think that God is capricious and inconsistent and cannot be trusted in His decisions, remember this vital couplet:

God is God, and He does what He pleases,

God is good, and He always does what is right.

And when God does His good and gracious things, we should give unceasing thanks, for He alone deserves the glory.