Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 21:1

by David Chadwick

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

This proverb is a wonderful reminder about the sovereignty of God over everything in this world, even rulers and kings. He rules and reigns above everything. This verse shares a similar truth to another proverb in Proverbs 16:9, which says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

Think about a stream of water for a moment; the way it flows, twists, and turns. Solomon declares this stream is directed by the Lord.

The Lord directs a leader’s heart in any way he pleases. Leaders and influential people in the world might think they control the destiny of the world, but they don't. God sovereignly controls his world. He oversees everything with intentionality for our good, for his purposes to be accomplished on the earth, and ultimately for his final glory.

For a moment, let’s jump to Daniel 2:21, which says, “He (God) changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.” I love this verse. God has raised up and lowered leaders throughout all of history.

Contextually, Daniel was sitting under the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar. But according to the Bible, even this king, the most powerful man in the world at that time, was under God's sovereign power.

The same is true today. There are leaders and rulers making all kinds of noise and “rattling their sabers” to flex their power and establish their importance. As followers of Jesus, what should be our response to this?

First, continue to look to our sovereign God, the maker of heaven and earth, the one who controls everything!

Secondly, pray for those who are in authority over us. Pray for wisdom for our president and for other leaders throughout the world. Pray that they would seek God and his will above all else.

Above all, may we never be anxious, trusting fully in God's perfect plan over all nations and leaders.