Nov 1, 2020
DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY
presidents and persecutions
Two major subjects converge this Sunday, both with global significance and both governed by a sovereign God. The first is the impending presidential election and the second is the persecuted church around the world.
There are many clear Biblical texts that say that when a person gains a position of authority (president, senator, judge, father), he is in that position because God put him there. "He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings" (Dan 2:21). ". . . the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will" (Dan 4:17,25,32).
To know that the Ruler of the nations will use our voting on Tuesday to work His glorious, holy plan comforts us and speaks peace to our souls. This truth gives us strength, knowing that the future of our country and our individual lives, rests in the hand of our omnipotent God who "works all things after the counsel of His will" (Eph 1:11).
Since 1996, one Sunday in November has been designated the "International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church." We are commanded in the Bible to "Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body" (Heb 13:3).
There are great benefits in considering, with both mind and heart, that the church elsewhere is suffering. First, it makes us bolder to share our faith with others (Phil 1:14). Second, it broadens our perspective concerning what God is doing in our world and how He is doing it. Third, it sobers us about our own faith, reminding us that we are in a deadly war and must live disciplined lives (2 Tim 1:8; 2:3).
"The Voice of the Martyrs" is a free monthly magazine designed to inform us about the suffering church the world over. For a free subscription, call 1-800-747-0085. The Voice of the Martyrs website address is www.persecution.com