“The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.” – Proverbs 21:1 

Scripture reading: Exodus 2:1-10

The work of God’s providence reveals precise timing. Those who don’t know about the precise timing of the Lord’s providence might conclude that it was “a lucky break” that Pharaoh’s daughter “just happened” to be at the riverbank when Moses came by.

But those who know God’s hand of providence, are not surprised. Just as Esther was raised to power “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14), so was Moses. The Lord spared the life of Moses from Pharoah’s heartless decree to kill all the male children of Israel. The one who would deliver God’s people would be prepared by the Egyptians themselves. Moses was given the finest education; he was prepared and provided for in the palace of Pharaoh, all of which shaped him into the leader who God would use to deliver Israel out of their bondage in Egypt.

The same is true today. Although circumstances often look bleak for God’s people, God Himself is raising up the political leaders that He desires to be in place, for Romans 13:1 assures us that “There is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” The political leaders may bring about the needed reforms, or they may add to the godlessness of their culture. But, either way, God has a purpose and a plan for them, a purpose and plan that ultimately leads to the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the ruler over all nations and all people.

Suggestions for prayer

Pray for those in authority over us (1 Timothy 2:1, 2) and express gratitude that Jesus Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords who will correct all wrongs on the last Day (2 Thessalonians 1:3-12).

Pastor Ted Gray is an emeritus minister of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Before serving in Oak Lawn, Pastor Gray served Orthodox Presbyterian churches in Oregon and Florida, and Christian Reformed churches in Vermont and Illinois. He and his wife, Karen, reside in Crown Point, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.