Newsletter #249 - July 1999 - By Shepherds Chapel - http://www.shepherdschapel.com/

It is important for Christians to know Who is in charge. God is in control as is witnessed by prophecy after prophecy has come to pass exactly as He told us through His Word. Our Father moves people and changes their minds to accomplish His will. For individuals to worry about how they are going to change the world is a total waste of time. God changes the world; men don't change the world. God utilizes those that are pliable to accomplish His plan. Those that constantly worry become brittle, and when He tries to shape them, they crumble. Peace of mind and happiness belong to His children that know God is in control. Let's begin our study in Proverbs.

Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will.

The word heart in this verse should be translated intellect or mind. When it is necessary, God changes the mind of rulers and leaders to accomplish His will. We are to be watchmen; however, for us to worry about problems in this world is a waste of time. God is in control. To worry, is to doubt He is in control.

Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

The word "pondereth" is translated from the Hebrew word "takan" and means to measure, to equalize, or to arrange. The same Hebrew word "takan" is used in Psalm 75. Let's turn there as we gain knowledge concerning God's control. This Psalm concerns the time just prior to the white throne judgment when God will decide who goes into the lake of fire and who lives eternally.

Psalm 75:1 Unto Thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto Thee do we give thanks: for that Thy name is near Thy wondrous works declare. 2 When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly.

God will judge fair and right. Each will receive exactly what they have coming to them. For some that will be rewards, and for others that will be punishment.

Psalm 75:3 The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah.

A new, the 3rd, world age begins. The word "bear up" in this verse are from the Hebrew word "takan". God will measure, arrange and equalize the very foundations that hold everything up.

Psalm 75:4 I said unto the fools, "Deal not foolishly:" and to the wicked, "Lift not up the horn: 5 Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck.

Horn is always symbolic of power. In this case, it also means pride. Be pliable. Those with a stiff neck might have their neck broken.

Psalm 75:6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another.

Promotion comes from the north where God's throne is located. According to their works, some will be promoted, and some will be demoted.

Psalm 75:8 For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and He poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them."

The cup of God's wrath will be poured out.

Psalm 75:9 But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. 10 All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

Again, you get what you deserve. You reap what you sow. Repent of your sins, and ask God for forgiveness. Serve God, and love Him. If you do these things, there is no reason to fear judgment. Judgment will be rewards and blessings for you. Let's turn to proverbs.

Proverbs 21:3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

That is heavy! God would rather have you do right than offer sacrifices to Him.

Proverbs 21:4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. 5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

Excessive haste makes waste. The plowing, or work, of the wicked is sin. Remember, God equalizes and arranges. The wicked that lie in wait to rip someone off will get what they deserve from God. Blessing or cursings, the choice is yours.

Proverbs 21:6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. 7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

The wicked destroy themselves. They refuse to do that which is right. You can always count on God to do what is right, and He is in control. There are many examples in the Bible which documents that God changes minds. Lets look at a few beginning in Daniel.

Daniel 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the MOST HIGH, and I praised and honoured Him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation:

Nebuchadnezzar was the heathen king of Babylon and a type for antichrist. God certainly humbled Nebuchanezzar and changed his mind.

Daniel 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, 'What doest Thou?'

The question is not whether God's plan will happen just as it is written. The question is do you fit into His plan?

Daniel 4:36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.

You always do better with God on your side. Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom was restored to him.

Daniel 4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways judgment: and those that walk in pride He is able to abase."

Good is completely capable and will bring down those the get the "big head". Especially, if they are hurting His children that love and serve Him. Let's look to another example in Ezra.

Ezra 1:1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 2 "Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and He hath charged me to build Him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

Was God in control of this heathen Persian king that ruled over a large part of the world? You better believe He was.

Ezra 1:3 Who is there among you of all His people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (He is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. 4 And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem."

God provides the bricks to those that are willing to do the work. This is where many ministries fall short. They believe the have to prod their members to help with that building fund. They don't understand that men don't get things done. God get's hings done! He always takes care of those that are teaching His Word. Let's turn to Chapter 6 and king Darius.

Ezra 6:22 And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

God changed the mind of Darius to help the children of Israel in the work of the house of God. Yes, we should be watchmen and keep up with world events. Yes, we should exercise our right to vote. But, why would you want to worry about the problems of the world when God is in Control? In conclusion, let's go to the New Testament. I want to end this lesson with a thought for those anti-government cliches who thing they are going to change our government. Men don't change governments. God changes governments.

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

The higher powers are governments. Is our government perfect? No, but our government is ordained of God and subject to His control. It is exactly the way God wants it to be. Obey civil law.

Romans 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

Rulers don't bother those that operate within the law. There is no reason to fear them, if you aren't breaking the law.

Romans 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

God has set up the rulers He wants to run our government. Break the law, and God Himself supports the rulers that will put you in jail. Obey civil law.

Romans 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

Pay your taxes. Those taxes support those that protect our rights and freedoms.

Romans 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

There isn't one government in the world that doesn't have God's attention. You should keep up with world events, but don't ever forget God controls world events.

In His service,
Arnold Murray