The Most Powerful Man in the World…for Four Years

Below is a tremendous word from one of my very best friends.  Lane Sanders, senior pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Jackson, Georgia, has captured a God-centered perspective of this election cycle.  He recently sent me this post in his blog that he calls FED (Faith-building Email Devotions).  By the way, after reading it, if you would like to be on his mailing list, in addition to A Word from Dr J, send him a note to lane@mbcjackson.org .

 

“Well, the events of the last several days have once again placed politics front and center. Have you turned in any direction and not been confronted with it? To be honest, politicians worry me. I heard about a surgeon, an engineer, and a politician who were debating over which of their professions was the oldest.

 

“’Eve was made from Adam’s rib,’” said the surgeon, “and that, of course, was a surgical procedure.”

 

“Yes,” countered the engineer, “but before that, order was created out of all chaos – and that most certainly was an engineering job.”

 

“Aha!” exclaimed the politician triumphantly. “And just who do you think created the chaos?”

 

That seems to ring true whenever the Legislature convenes. Like Kirk Kirkpatrick said, “Most problems don’t exist until a government agency is created to solve them.”

 

Nevertheless, yesterday’s inauguration was a festive celebration unrivaled in recent history. And for some reasons, rightly so. He is the first black man to lead the free world. Repeatedly, the refrain was heard from the African American community that they never expected such progress in such a short period of time. Not only that, but aside from his race, the inauguration of any President should be a sobering reminder of the blessings we enjoy as a free nation. No other nation in the history of the planet can make the claims that we Americans can. I realize that many of you who are reading this are disappointed at the choice of president, but remember that the beauty of it all is that we get to choose. Don’t forget that blessing from God.

 

The ceremony itself can be inspiring. The orderliness, the statesmanship, the grandeur, the history all pour forth at such an historic moment. The use of Abraham Lincoln’s Bible was especially noteworthy. To see two of the most powerful men in the world collaborating to pass the torch of leadership and the responsibility of a free society should demand our attention.

 

Think about this: We’ll do it all over again in at least 8 years, if not 4. And then 4 years after that, and 4 years after that, and so on and so on. The most powerful man on the planet can’t be the most powerful man on the planet for very long. Power is a revolving door.

 

Or is it? You see, there is One who has real power – real leadership – and there is no other inauguration in sight. His name is King Jesus. He’s been in power for quite a long time, and He’ll still be in power when the last President leaves office. Listen to the worship of King Jesus in Revelation 5:13: “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever” (italics mine). Did you catch that? He’ll never leave heaven’s oval office! He is “the Alpha and the Omega … who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8). He is Forever King!

 

Now don’t get me wrong: He’s been voted out of office many times. The cry of the feast of the governor still echoes in the streets today: “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” He’s been voted out of the courthouses. He’s been voted out of government. He’s been voted out of schools. Honestly, He’s been voted out of many of our churches. In case you haven’t noticed, the real Jesus is not a popular fellow.

 

His response? “The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!’ He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them” (Psalm 2:2-4). All the voting on earth is a joke to Yahweh Sabaoth (Lord of Hosts – the real Commander-in-Chief). He will reign forever. In fact, the only reason President Obama is President Obama is because King Jesus allowed it to be so (John 19:11).

 

So if you ever get discouraged over your earthly rulers, remember there is a President of Presidents. His name is King Jesus. There will never be another.

2009

Oxford University Press just recently released their latest edition of the Junior Dictionary. And, as with many dictionaries, words are omitted as the English language evolves.   In the same respect, some words are added as they creep into our modern vernacular. 

Words that were added include: MP3, blog, and broadband.  Words that were eliminated include: empire, nun, and SIN. 

Good new folks…!  Sin no longer exists in 2009.  We could only wish that to be true.  Nevertheless, it is my heart’s cry that God work in mighty ways for 2009. 

I would like to share with you my prayer for 2009:

MY PRAYER FOR 2009 IS THAT GOD WOULD…

R enew and revive me in such a way that, by the end of 2009, I would know God more, love my wife better, train my children more, share my faith intensely, and lead this church more radically.

E nter every part of my life, mind, acts, schedule, business, study, preaching, calendar, homelife, motives, ministry and planning.

V ictoriously enable me to live consistently in the power of His Holy Spirit.

I nspire me, my wife, my children, my friends, and my flock to encourage more saints and reach more unsaved than last year.

V isit my church, and other local churches, in a way that would see revival breaking into spiritual awakening in Middle Georgia.

E clipse my will, my wants, my dreams, my hopes, my visions, my goals, my purposes, and my accomplishments with Your glory, Your goals, Your majesty, Your greatness, and Your purposes.

To God be the Glory in 2009!