Psalm 33: 10-11
10The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
the plans of his heart to all generations.

The machinations that go on in the corridors of power, for more power, more money, more influence. The dealings that take place to consolidate support. The anger, hatred, envy, intransigence that marks those who scramble for more money, more comfort, to be left alone .. . While all that is going on it remains true that the Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing.

What a glory it is to know that no matter how evil men’s hearts are, no matter how much power they consolidate. No matter how much lying and cheating and scheming goes on to orchestrate one’s own way – God is still in charge. He brings His will to pass through their sin and He will ultimately shut them down. Psalm 2 should frighten the leaders of the world but of course, it does not. That does not make it less true. But it does give the believer hope and encouragement to keep on doing what God says is right, no matter what the temporal consequences may be. For God will not be thwarted and the rulers of the world cannot help but be. What a God.

We have just finished celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, what has become known as Easter. This truth of God’s sovereign control even when great evil is at work, is very prominent in the events surrounding the death and resurrection of Christ. One comment in a sermon by the Apostle Peter captures it.

Acts 2: 22-24 22″Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know- 23this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

There it is. While men are doing horribly evil things against the very Son of God, God is accomplishing a plan that was forged long before they made their plans to kill Jesus.

The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing. What a great encouragement to those who seek to live faithfully when it appears that evil is getting the upper hand.

Live in obedience today. You serve a great King.