Drops from the Bucket

What causes more existential dread than the looming threat of war? Nations rage against nations, vying for power over resources, lands, peoples, and ideologies. We are constantly inundated with news of war and rumors of war. Driven by fear or anger,we look to our political leaders and parties to deliver us, like new messiahs. The problem with that is when you put your hope and faith in men; you put your hope in the flawed and fallible. Leaders may try their best (or do their worst) and bring ruin upon the people they rule.

In the constant flux of turmoil, the Christian can stand fast upon the firm and unassailable foundation that God reigns supreme above it all. Reflect upon the words of Isaiah 40:15-17:

“Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket,
    and are accounted as the dust on the scales;
    behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust.
Lebanon would not suffice for fuel,
    nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering.
All the nations are as nothing before him,
    they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.”

Haha! Less than nothing and emptiness! All the nuclear arms, rockets, ships, tanks, artillery, and weapons yet unveiled are nothing to El Shaddai. Economic pressures, trade coalitions, and alliances have no sway upon Him who sits on the throne. Dread Pharaoh, believing the lies of his own religion, thought himself to be a god incarnate, and ruled the most powerful nation of Moses’s day with the impetuous cruelty unique to those too comfortable with power. All the might and forces he could muster were as nothing to the Mighty Lord of Hosts. In an instant God wrought His deliverance and judgment; Pharaoh was no more. Rest assured that no matter what power the princes and rulers of this earth may wield, they wield it only for a time, and will afterwards be judged by the One who gave it to them in the first place.

Though the nations work unrighteousness upon and among themselves, God is the righteous judge who will bring recompense to all. Any perception we have of the unfairness of the rise and fall of nations and the chaos that ensues is due to our lack of perspective. God owes you no explanation for the working of his will! It is incumbent on us to trust in the only One who can see above the here and now.

“Do you not know? Do you not hear?
    Has it not been told you from the beginning?
    Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
    and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
    and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;
who brings princes to nothing,
    and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.” (Isaiah 40:21-23)

What then are we to do when there is so much outside of our control? First and foremost, we are to put our trust fully in and seek the glory of God (who by now you should know is in control).  While we sojourn here and await the coming of Christ’s kingdom in its fullness, we are to seek the good of the nation in which we dwell. Be the peacemakers of our communities as we abide in the peace of Christ Jesus. Stand strong for what God says is righteous and the truth of His word. Add to the number of those who will call home the Kingdom of Heaven. Finally, pray for our leaders that they (like old Nebuchadnezzar who so vexed Daniel) may be humbled and cast their crowns at the feet of Jesus.


Scripture Referenced/Supplementary Reading: Isaiah 40:9-23, Daniel 4, Exodus 14, Jeremiah 29:4-9, Ecclesiastes 1:9, Revelation 20