A President’s Mind and the Hand of God

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water. He turns it wherever he wishes” (Prov. 21:1).

How many Christians take this verse seriously? How many have thought about these words carefully or even read them?

Every day there is a stir all over the world about what our President has said or done. The truth is, he is just like the rest of us. He couldn’t even breathe if it were not for his Creator. God gives everyone life, breath and all things (Acts 17:25). He blesses us all with sunshine and rain (Matt. 5:45).

Sometimes God withholds rain and sometimes He gives an overabundance of it. Elihu was right when he reminded Job that God controls the weather for reasons all His own—“for correction, or for His land, or for mercy” (Job 37:13).

Solomon said God directs the heart of kings as easily as He manages the water that runs through rivers. He can cause it to overflow or dry up. He can divert its flow or let it run free.

Rulers always think they are in control. And they do make choices that affect our lives. The Lord never seizes control of a man’s will and turns a man into a robot. But somehow in ways beyond our feeble understanding the overruling hand of God limits or increases and averts or opens the possible paths they might choose and in the end directs the course of nations.

The Assyrians had plans to conquer Judah. God used them like a rod in His hand to punish the sinful Jews, but the Assyrians had no idea they were accomplishing His task (Isaiah 10:5-7). Pharaoh thought the throne was his, but God put him on it without his knowledge (Exod. 9:16). Daniel told the most powerful man on earth that “the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men” (Dan. 4:17). He is ruling as we speak in the governments of the world while arrogant leaders, clueless citizens and distracted Christians are blind to Who is really in charge.

Kerry

West End church of Christ • September 7, 2025