“Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior”

(Isaiah 45:15, ESV)

 

The Power of “Gotcha”

Politics has descended into a “blame game.” In place of compromise and co-operation, political leaders use accusations and allegations to build a following and hold on to power. Politics has never been free of such things, but neither have impeachments, denunciations and squabbles formed the primary civic means.

It’s appropriate to hold power to account. We expect explanation and justification for words and actions. Policy positions should be defended. Judgements need a foundation. Errors or misdeeds deserve exposure. We expect that in politics, business, the courts and education, the public has a right to know what goes on behind the curtains. So, it seems strange to some that the supreme power of the universe is accountable to no one.

 

Without Explanations

In Isaiah 45, God says that he will raise up a pagan ruler named Cyrus and employ him to restore Israel to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity. God calls Cyrus despite his brutality and immorality. Cyrus does not know Jehovah and is blind to God’s intent. If someone questions the means of God, He declares, “I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things” (Isaiah 45:7).

With a bluntness that is unusual for power, God declares that He alone is the Lord and is not accountable to any. The clay bowl doesn’t question the potter. The child cannot fathom the ways and means of the father. God simply declares what He is doing and doesn’t respond to the microphones thrust at Him for explanations. Perhaps that is why Isaiah asserts that God hides Himself. The prophet doesn’t mean that God is coy, but he admits God need not interpret Himself for us. The Lord does not explain, justify or defend His ways. He alone is God. He is not answerable to us.

 

Worthy of Trust

Such candid claims from any other power would be reason for concern. We demand accountability and put up guardrails because every earthly power is fallen. There is good cause to hold politicians, teachers, pastors, business tycoons and police to account. The record of corruption and failure is long. God need not explain Himself, not simply because He outranks everything, but because He is holy. While He is beyond explanation, He has proved to be righteous, just, wise and gracious. All His ways are redemptive. He is worthy of absolute trust. The secrets of God are glorious, not shameful. The ways of God prove right despite our impatience and uncertainty. The actions of God lead to a perfect end. Every purpose serves His purpose.

 

Faith Versus Cynicism

We are trained by this world to be suspicious. We assume closets rattle with skeletons. We are skeptical of declared motives. We are not shocked when leaders fail us. Living in God’s Kingdom means living in a new way. Confidence in our King allows for faith in one another. His unshakable rule makes room for hope. Even when we are wounded, we know that disappointment doesn’t have the last word. The quality of life moves from grasping at power to extending grace and love. I am not naïve. I do not assume that earthly powers will conform to the Kingdom ways of God. I know they can’t. But when I am worn by the bickering and politics of men, I turn down the volume and remember – The Lord God reigns.