King of King’s

King of King’s

(Prov 21:1 NLT) The king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; He guides it wherever He pleases.

This morning we continue in the book of Proverbs. Here Solomon once again references the sovereignty of God. This subject is not new to us. In chapter 16 Solomon said, "We humans make plans, but the LORD has the final word" (v.1) and "In your heart you plan your life. But the LORD decides where your steps will take you" (v.9). In the last chapter Solomon said, "A person's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand their own way?" (20:24).

In the lessons that corresponded with those verses we learned of God's sovereignty, but we were also reminded of our responsibility. I know when you first read this morning's verse and you see the words "He guides it wherever He pleases," it sounds like Solomon is saying that kings don't have a will at all; as if to say that they are simply puppets and God Almighty is the grand puppeteer. However, you and I know that that would not be congruent with the rest of scripture.

No, there is a dual aspect-God and man, man and God-to our lives. If we didn't have a say in the matter, then why pray? Why plan? Why petition anything of the Lord or bring anything before the Lord is He is simply going to do what He wants to do anyway? You and I both know-from the Word, life, and experience-that God has a part and we have a part.

Solomon speaks to God's sovereignty, but he also spends a great deal of time speaking to our responsibility. God's sovereignty does not alleviate us of the weight of our decisions, but rather adds on us the additional task of seeking God's will and of aligning our decisions with it. If that is true for us, then it is also true for kings, for those in authority.

In Solomon's day, kings possessed absolute authority and were often considered to be like gods. Solomon was actually a sitting-king at the time of this writing. By saying what he said Solomon was acknowledging the fact that while he was clearly in authority (here in the earth), he also understood that he was under authority. Solomon was a king, but he acknowledged the Lord as the King of kings.
Solomon's message is that all authority, kings or otherwise, is ultimately subordinate to God's authority.

God can influence kings just like He influences us. God can see to it that the work of kings' hands is either blessed or ineffective, just like He does with the work of our hands. God can see to it that kings are promoted or removed, just like He can in our lives. The bottom line is that kings are no different from anyone else. Those in authority are only there because God allows them to be there. While their influence is unquestionable, their position is perishable. If leaders routinely abuse the authority they have been given, they can quickly find themselves without it. However, if leaders allow themselves to be influenced by the God who blessed them to be there in the first place, then God will continue to bless them TO BE a blessing and they will find that they span of control will continue to expand and God moves them up the proverbial 'ladder' of whatever organizational structure they are operating in.

So what does this mean to you ? Two things:
1. If you are a leader, then thank God for blessing you to have the authority, but remember that God has ultimate authority!
2. Use your influence for God's glory. If you allow God to lead you as you lead others, then you will experience supernatural success in the earth. People will be amazed by your leadership ability and astounded by your wisdom - all because you allow yourself to be led by the greatest leader!

Father, I thank You for giving me the sphere or influence and the span of control that You have. I am blessed to be able to make a difference in the lives of others daily. I declare that I will. I submit to You, as my ultimate authority and I ask You to lead me as I attempt to lead others. I thank You in advance for giving me supernatural insight so that I can comprehend the complex, manage the seemingly unmanageable, connect with the distant, and lead with compassion. Your hand upon my life makes me an exceptional leader. I enter this day with great expectations. You and me, me and You, together, let's go make a difference! In Jesus' name. Amen!