In the Hand of the LORD

In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.

Proverbs 21:1

Boulder Creek is a 31.4-mile-long creek which runs through the heart of Boulder, Colorado, for several miles. In September 2013 flash flooding diverted the water of the creek in directions that adversely affected roads, businesses, and recreational areas. Major reconstruction of Boulder Creek through the downtown area continues in 2016. Excavating new creek boundaries and lining the banks with huge, imported boulders is part of the overall process. Even with modern engineering and equipment it is an undertaking of huge proportions!

Human hearts, like natural rivers, tend to wander and become set in destructive paths. We formulate our own plans, pursue control of circumstances, and God sometimes allows us to go our own way. Other times He redirects the wellsprings of human hearts, specifically those in authority, for the good of His people.

One example in the Old Testament is in Ezra 1:1, In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing . . . He helped the Jewish exiles return to Jerusalem.

What a comfort it is to believe that God is able to channel the heart of those furthest from His own heart, including our nation’s leaders! Could it be when we pray in faith for God to direct the hearts of those in decision-making positions in our land, that ungodly decisions will be prevented or turned around? Yes, I believe so!

Let’s replace discouragement, from what we observe as treacherous ways in our leaders’ lives, with praise and honor to God. He is in control. God has not left his throne!

Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts (1 Chronicles 16:8-9).

Karen Sims