Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth (Prov. 8:14-16).
“By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.” This includes covenant-breaking kings and princes. As rulers, they necessarily imitate God. They make decrees. They enforce some view of justice. The role of kings and princes is not to abdicate; it is to make decrees and laws in terms of God’s decree and law. This is also the proper role of Christians, who are God-ordained royal priests. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9).
The God of the Bible is absolutely sovereign over history. Those people who believe this and who live in terms of their belief will inherit the earth. “For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth” (Psalm 37:9). Those who are meek before God are the true heirs of God. “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace (Psalm 37:11). They live in terms of God’s timetable, not their own. His timetable is longer than history, for it extends into eternity.
God has a long-term plan. Nothing can change it. He has established the very boundaries of creation. “Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?” (Jer. 5:22). This is why prophecy is sure.
Because God has a long-term plan, Christians are supposed to make their own long-term plans. These plans are to be governed by the Bible. Christians are required to evaluate their personal skills, their opportunities, and the time they have remaining. They are to work in such a way that they will leave an inheritance to those who succeed them: “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just” (Prov. 13:22).
Full of Care
The typical Christian, like the typical everybody else, has no plan. No one ever told him that he needs a plan. He takes things pretty much as they come. He reacts; he does not initiate. But unlike the typical person, the Christian defends his lack of long-term planning through an appeal to Scripture, most notably Philippians 4:6: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” But the word translated “careful” means full of care, as in Jesus’ mild reprimand to Martha: “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things” (Luke 10:41). It is troubled caring that is forbidden, not caring as such.
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