Executive Orders

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus…

Luke 2:1

My dear Ruby,

Decrees going out is a regular occurrence in our country.  Today we call them “executive orders.”  With the wave of a pen our president can start a chain reaction that works its way all the way down to the town where you and I live. 

A new president comes into office and immediately begins signing executive orders to undo what the previous president put into action and then that “new” president is eventually replaced by another new president who immediately begins signing new executive orders to counter command what the previous “new” presidents decreed!  And the beat goes on.

You’d almost think that our leaders are in control of things.  And to a degree they are.  But the birth of Jesus Christ is a reminder that behind the decrees of our leaders is one who controls the ultimate outcome.   Long before Caesar Augustus’s decree another decree – declared by God Almighty – had been given that at that time and place the Son of God was to be born (Galatians 4:4). 

And here’s the best part, God used the politics of that day to fulfill a part of his eternal plan.

As of this writing I have lived under thirteen different presidents and President-elect Trump is about to come around for another go of it in January.  They come, they go.  They make their decrees and declarations and then the next guy comes in and makes his.  But in the end, they get on Air Force One for the final time and fly away and are all mostly forgotten. 

But God remains. 

His hand works quietly, steadily, and surely behind the scenes fulfilling His plans and purposes.

And here’s the exciting thing about that: You and me (and all our family) are included in that plan!  Think about it, when baby Jesus was born those many years ago, we were a part of the reason he came.

As a young girl it is easy to feel small and helpless with powerful leaders making all their decrees and commands.  Just for the record, I often feel small and helpless too!  But, Ruby, I’ve lived long enough to see them all come and go and I’ve lived long enough to realize that God remains.

Ruby, love your country.  Be a good citizen.  Obey the decrees that or moral and righteous, but put your ultimate trust in the baby that was born on Christmas day.  And set your highest loyalty and affection on Him.  In the end, you will not regret it. 

Merry Christmas! Papa

Prayer: Father God, help Ruby and all my VPGs, their parents, and Nana and me, to put our ultimate trust in YOU.

Help us to remember that presidents come and go and decrees are commanded and counter commanded, but You are eternal and your decrees stand forever.

Help us to put our ultimate trust in YOU.

Help us to follow your word – like the Christmas star – and allow it’s decrees and commands (and promises!) to guide us all our days and lead us finally into the presence of the King.

And help us to so live our lives that at least some of our deeds and decisions can be laid at His feet to honor Him.

In His name (Jesus Christ) I pray, amen.