Outside of suffering deep, personal hardship, it seems that the doctrine of God’s sovereignty never undergoes more scrutiny than it does during election season. Never are more exasperated why’s asked, dismayed how is it possible’s sighed or unnerved laments of can it get any worse voiced. Election campaigns give evil a position of prominence. Ephesians 5 describes the “shameful” acts that take place in the dark, yet we watch them get shamelessly featured in advertisements in the “daylight” of primetime television.
Today’s culture is reminiscent of the Israelites in the wilderness. Idol worship did not have to discreetly infiltrate the camp because the people demanded it from their prophet! Like many self-serving leaders today, Aaron sacrificed his integrity to give the people what they wanted. So pleased were they in their rebellion that they celebrated their sin by making sacrifices, dancing and singing.
By making the death of a child in the womb an integral part of present-day platforms, politicians codify their opposition to God. They make the resistance of His law a holiday and fly flags to flaunt their disobedience. Is God truly in control if the majority of people wants this? If leaders succeed when they champion these causes, in some way is God losing? How do you reconcile what you see taking place around you with Romans 13:1 where it says, “There is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God”?
The answer is revealed in the greatest rebellion against God in all of history. There were specific religious leaders in place when Jesus was arrested under cover of darkness and tried by a sham of a court. There was a particular Roman ruler in power when Jesus was sentenced. There were the exact number and names of people present to establish a mob great enough and hateful enough to influence the Roman official when they cried, “Crucify Him!” Precisely chosen centurions offered sour wine to the Savior on the cross, cast lots for His clothing and pierced His side. Every one of them, to a name, was fulfilling the decree of God and the prophecies of Scripture!
For even one moment, do you doubt the sovereignty of God when you think about the timing of the self-serving Caiaphas as high priest? Do you question God’s selection of the corrupt Pontius Pilate as the governor of the Roman province? Was the wrong crowd in attendance or did Satan get ahead because those centurions were the ones positioned at the foot of the cross? By no means! Without every one of those wicked people carrying out, in detail, their evil designs just as they intended, you would not experience the Redeemer’s forgiveness, just as He intended!
Those mutinous dissidents had a part to play then, and those of today do as well. While some in Jesus’ day were living their day-to-day immoral lives, there were others that were simultaneously living for the Lord. Consider the life of Simeon in the New Testament.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. (Lk. 2:25)
The reprobates of Jesus’ day were growing in evil as they advanced into positions of power. Concurrent with their lives were others like Simeon that were righteous and devout, waiting for the coming of the Messiah and accompanied by the Holy Spirit. As a Christian today, you have the Holy Spirit. Take Simeon’s example who faithfully fulfilled his role as the others played theirs. Be devout and wait for the second coming of the Messiah, which will be your great consolation! If Jesus was delivered “according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God,” then you need not fear who is passing unrighteous laws in response to a culture that demands them.
Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.” (Is. 46:9–10)