Isaiah 40:23

Sunday, August 23, 2020

“He judges the great people of the world and brings them all to nothing.”

Personal note: “The great people” in other versions is translated as princes with the Hebrew word, razan, meaning weighty, judicious, or commanding. My thoughts immediately went Daniel 2:21 where it says he removes kings and sets up kings and gives wisdom and understanding as He chooses. How many times in the Word have we seen this very thing? Saul/David, Adonijah/Solomon, Ahab/Jorem, Babylon’s King/Cyrus, to name but a few. I am reminded as we are in the midst of this Covid-19 pandemic that those who “rule” over us set the rules and regulations that govern our lives and families. I would bet that many in charge–whether local, state, regional or national–have no clue that they will be judged on how they have cared for us during this time. I am also reminded of Paul’s letter to Timothy with its exhortation to pray for kings and all those in authority. (1 Tim 2:2)

• Lord, it is our greatest wish to live tranquil and peaceful lives with all godliness as Paul advised Timothy. Help our hearts to look past their failures and pray for our leaders’ successes. For our sakes, give them wisdom and heavenly strategy.
• We ask for Your wisdom and authority over our educational system particularly. Spur these educators into excellence, especially in communication. Mothers and fathers have been whipped-sawed over how to help their children in this confusing, scary, overwhelming time. Pour out an even greater anointing upon these parents to raise their children in this environment. Provide the necessary tools whether back to class, home-schooling, video-training, pod classes, or tutors. Guide their teachers and administrators. Defeat their own fears with faith. Let those who know You shine with brightness. Give them Your perfect solutions to help parents and children.
• We stand against the father of lies and the author of confusion, “the forever loser” as Pastor Tim Sheets calls him. He was defeated at Calvary. Jesus now has the keys and He’s given the key ring to us, His church on earth. Ignite our hearts with Your prayers, Holy Spirit, as we operate with the authority You’ve given us. Help us to pray alongside You for righteousness, freedom, courage, strength, vision, and prosperity of our souls as well as our spirits and bodies.
• Help us especially to watch our mouths in the days ahead. It is so easy to have opinions on how things should be done. Give us a nudge when we’re about to go too far. Let no word curses be heard from our mouths. (Psalm 59:12) This is especially true in the election season we are in, with the unrest in our cities, with false narratives being published, and with two sides to every decision of our lives: work, school, church, finances, leisure. Every area of our society has been affected and infected. Help us to remain humble and pure of heart that our prayers would be heard AND answered. You show Your favor to the humble. (James 4:6)