God’s Eternal Council
How to keep calm even when the wrong person wins the election
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The Lord frustrates the decisions of the nations; he nullifies the plans of the peoples. The Lord’s decisions stand forever; his plans abide throughout the ages.
Psalm 33:10-11 (NET)
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I don’t exactly remember when I picked up this verse, but it was probably around the 2016 US election.
I was unhappy with both major presidential choices and couldn’t decide who I disliked the least.
That’s the extent I’ll go into politics here. The important thing is that this is a verse that pushes me toward trusting God even when the leadership of my country seems terrible.
The outcome of that election surprised a lot of people. It surprised me.
Nothing surprises God.
There’s a proverb that talks about how God turns the heart of kings like redirecting a river.
If God wants a king — or a president — to do something, it’s going to get done. And if He wants to frustrate the plans of those leaders, then that will happen too.
Philosophically, we could debate on the merits of why God allows bad leaders to rule … or bad things to happen to people … but that’s mostly futile. The world is broken by sin, and someday God will fix it all.
But probably not today.
Today, the most important thing for me to do is align myself with God. To spend time with Him, see where He’s working, and join Him in that work.
He could be working on my heart … or on someone around me … or someone far away that I’m praying for.
Or any number of other things.
At least He’s never surprised.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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