Daily devotion – Elections in Israel.
🇮🇱 Israel’s Elections: God’s Sovereign Rule
The nation of Israel goes to the polls this week, and there is much internal debate about which party will govern the nation during these most difficult times. Will the current Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, retain his leadership, or will a new leader be appointed? Only time will tell.
Whilst we recognise the importance of Israel’s leadership at this critical time, let us never lose sight of God’s sovereignty over the affairs of nations and their leaders.
Throughout God’s Word, we read that it is God who raises up nations and brings them down, along with their leaders.
Daniel 4:17
“This decision is by the decree of the watchers, and the sentence by the word of the holy ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men.”
Nebuchadnezzar was presumptuous and challenged God’s rule and authority. As a result, God’s judgment fell upon him! For seven seasons, this once-powerful king of Babylon lived like an animal until he learned the lesson of God’s sovereignty.
Daniel 4:34
“And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever.”
The king finally acknowledged the eternal authority of God, declaring:
“For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation.”
Daniel 4:37
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.”
What a wonderful reminder that no earthly ruler is greater than the King of Heaven! Human leaders come and go, governments change, and nations experience seasons of uncertainty, but God’s throne remains firmly established, and His purposes will never fail.
I am so thankful that God’s sovereign rule has not changed. The same God who ruled over Babylon still reigns today, here in our own nation and throughout the world.
We shall see what happens in Israel, but we will not lose heart, whichever way the polls go. We know that He who never slumbers or sleeps still watches over Israel, the apple of His eye!
Psalm 121:4 reminds us: “Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.”
And Zechariah 2:8 describes Israel as the apple of His eye. What comfort there is in knowing that the Lord has not forgotten His covenant purposes and that His Word will stand!
So, too, in our own lives. We may not understand everything that happens around us, and we may face storms that seem overwhelming, but we can rest in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father remains on the throne.
God’s sovereignty does not mean that we will never experience trouble; it means that we can trust Him even when we cannot see the way ahead.
As Philippians 4:7 reminds us, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Whatever happens in Israel, whatever happens in our own nation, and whatever storms we face personally, let us keep our eyes upon the Lord. Our circumstances may change, but our God never changes!
In His grace,
Pastor Keith Carmody