God Is the Ruler Yet

I was about middle-school age when I learned that our national and state governments are comprised of three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. I came eventually to understand that, although the men and women who served in these positions are worthy of respect, they are elected from among the citizens. They are, therefore, just like the rest of us, not always good, wise and fair. (A pity, that.)

This is no cause for despair, however, because "there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." (Romans 13:1) We can be sure that He is still in charge! In fact, our great God Himself holds all these offices: "For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us." (Isaiah 33:22)

As judge, God is taking care of His people. Yes, sometimes correction or even punishment is involved, but His purpose is to produce good in us. "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." (Ephesians 5:25-27) And you know how we get rid of stains and wrinkles, of course. Washing and ironing. Heat and pressure, right? That explains some of the difficult things we experience, doesn't it!

As lawgiver, He has established one on which all the others depend. Jesus said, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12) We have His very clear teaching about what constitutes the law: loving God with all our being is first and greatest commandment, "And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:27-40) We might suppose that all of this was new with Jesus, but that is not the case. It is as old as the commandments from Mt. Sinai, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." (Leviticus 19:18)

As king, He rules with unmixed love. What more is there to say? Even the most benevolent dictator is apt to favor some parts of society, while other leaders would spread (mis)information about their goodness in order to secure a following. Not God. Love is embedded in His very nature, and He cannot behave in any other way.

"This is my Father's world.
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet."
     Maltbie D. Babcock, 1858-1901

MaryMartha

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.