The Statesman Is Not Limited by His Own Ability
Download a PDF of this essayThe complexities of administering nations in this interdependent world, where actions in other parts of the world limit our options, makes us wonder whether administering nations is outside the ability of the unaided human being. Then, the thought arises as to whether the Designer of government ever intended us to be self-sufficient in administering our responsibilities by ourselves.
The Statesman understands that in this interdependent world, we face challenges beyond our abilities to solve. Furthermore, the Statesman is unique in that he refuses to be limited by his inherent abilities. As such, he is willing to confront challenges. The Statesman is continually operating beyond the capacity of any human being.
In facing this reality, it is essential to understand that Government is ordained by God for the purpose of bringing blessing to the people, and His intent is to use mere mortals to achieve that goal.
God Himself instructs mankind on the inherent inability of human wisdom:
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways … For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Our Creator intends for us to depend upon Him. He never intended for us to depend upon our own abilities.
God’s Plans are perfect, far better than anything humanity has to offer. He declares:
For I know the plans I have for you … plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).
He desires to make known His perfect plans to us mortals. Our Creator made this promise to one king, King David:
I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel (Psalm 32:8).
In response, listen to the confidence of that king, as he speaks to God:
You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures (Psalm 16:11).
And then he testifies to his fellow humans:
The secret counsel of the Lord is for those who fear Him (Psalm 25:14).
This leads King David to express to our Creator:
Let me experience Your faithful love in the morning, for I trust in You. Reveal to me the way I should go because I long for You (Psalm 143:8).
And:
You lead and guide me because of Your name (Psalm 31:3).
King Solomon added more insight when he instructed us:
Think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths (Proverbs 3:6).
Receiving wisdom. So what does the Statesman do? Where does he gain the wisdom that he needs for the complex decisions necessary in governing? King Solomon, considered perhaps the wisest man who has ever lives, gave us his understanding:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10).
Those who desire wisdom must seek it from our Creator. In receiving the wisdom of God, we receive guidance from the Master Designer.
Empowering. What is so special is that our Creator not only supplies the wisdom to face the complexities before us, but He empowers us, through His powerful hand operating on our behalf, to deal with these challenges. Listen to the assurance that He both guides and empowers:
Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
And:
For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose (Philippians 2:13).
What is amazing is that He guides us and then as we follow His guidance, He adds the dimension of His power to accomplish the end result that He desires. Thus, the one trusting Him can say:
I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).
What is truly amazing is the extent of His power when His Word describes:
Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us (Ephesians 3:20).
The power He wishes to exert on our behalf is even beyond our ability to imagine. So, the God of the Universe, who asks the Statesman to accomplish what is beyond the capacity of any mere mortal, supplies the wisdom and guidance to approach that issue, and in addition, the power to accomplish what previously appeared impossible.
This is where we must take advantage of Jesus’ death and resurrection for our sins, thereby opening the channel for us to be able to communicate with our Creator. As Jesus explained, this is the one and only way to gain access to all that our Creator, in His love, has made available to us:
I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6).
Let us each avail ourselves of all wisdom, guidance, and empowering that our Creator makes available to us through the forgiveness for our sins that block our access to our Creator by embracing what Jesus has done for us.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE STATESMAN
- Why would any human being want to ignore the wisdom and empowerment our Creator offers in making decisions on behalf of the people we are called upon to serve in this challenging global environment?
- What is a specific issue that seems beyond my ability to accomplish that our Creator wants me to trust Him first for the wisdom and then for the power to achieve that goal?