1. The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
First we need to clarify the analogy being used here. The “rivers of water” in the text does not refer to meandering rivers where the random course of the river is determined by the water naturally seeking the path of least resistance. The NIV translates this phrase as “watercourses.” The picture is one of irrigation ditches that are directed by design to deliver the water where it needs to be. The water still obeys the laws of physics and runs down hill, but the property of the water, the free volition of the heart of the king, is used to fulfill God’s purposes and is directed by him. This message is very similar to something Paul writes.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)The intent of these statements is to give us encouragement and hope. It may appear to us that powerful forces oppose us and even seek to destroy us, but the Scriptures say . . ..
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:31-39)If God controls the heart and therefore the actions of the most powerful people, then don’t you think that he also controls the hearts and actions of those little people who trouble you? It is precisely because God is in control of all things that we can go to him in prayer with our concerns and our needs. This is why we pray for high public officials.
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;” (1 Timothy 2:1-3)And we are taught to pray for our daily bread in the Lord’s Prayer. God desires us to bring all our needs to him and he delights to fulfill them.
“Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:9-11)
But when does God answer these prayers? God answers them when we are seeking his kingdom first. Therefore, the surest way for your Family Legacy to be successful is for it to be hitched to your pursuit of God’s kingdom and his glory -- because "we are more than conquerers through him that loved us!"
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