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Presidents' Day

by Michael Davis on February 18, 2019

Today is Presidents’ Day and I’m in Philadelphia – you know, that city where the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution were signed. I've never traveled to Philadelphia to celebrate Presidents’ Day before, but I find myself here today enjoying a long layover. If you’re anything like me, you immediately think about what deals might be happening at Kohl’s and whether or not you get a long weekend when Presidents' Day comes around every year. But I’m guessing the folks who created Presidents’ Day back in the day did not have those things in mind.

Originally, Presidents’ Day was established to recognize and celebrate the birthday of our first President, George Washington, born on February 22nd, 1732. Over time, Presidents’ Day evolved to include the celebration of all U.S. Presidents, past and present. The United States has had 45 Presidents to date. (Technically, it's only 44 - Grover Cleveland kind of messed things up because he’s listed twice.) Do you have a favorite president? According to those who keep track of these things, the most popular Presidents are George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson. That’s a list that I could get on board with.

If the heart behind Presidents’ Day is to celebrate our Presidents, both past and present, what do we do with the Presidents we don't like? What do we do with the ones we like to criticize and complain about or the ones we choose to mock and make fun of? What about the ones we are diametrically opposed to on pretty much every level?

Well, I guess you could just ignore the 3rd Monday of every February moving forward and act as if there is no such thing as Presidents’ Day. But that would be way too easy. As I type these words in Philadelphia, I’m feeling inspired to find a better way. There has to be an answer to these important questions. I’m confident there is!

EVERY PRESIDENT PAST AND PRESENT HAS BEEN GIVEN AUTHORITY BY GOD AND IS GOD’S SERVANT.

That is not my idea. It's what God tells us in His Word.

“For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God… the authorities are God’s servants.” Romans 13:1,4 (NLT)

Consider what Daniel prayed when the most wicked king in human history, King Nebuchadnezzar, was ruling and reigning.

“Praise the name of God forever and ever, for He has all wisdom and power. He controls the course of world events; He removes kings and sets up other kings.” Daniel 2:20-21 (NLT)

We might not like every ruler throughout history or agree with every President that has sat or currently sits in the Oval Office, but it brings me great comfort to know that ALL of them have been placed there by God. Every ruler and President are ultimately His servants.

Does that mean every President had or has a relationship with God through faith in Christ? Absolutely not! When the Bible says that ‘rulers and authorities’ are God’s servants, that just means they are executing God’s perfect plan. This is not to suggest they are merely puppets on a string. The Bible makes clear that God is sovereign over all things, including who He places in positions of power and how long He allows them to be there.

Now this is where it gets hard, right? Did God put Donald Trump in the Oval Office? The Bible says that the answer is 'yes.' Want to get more uncomfortable? This Biblical teaching implies that every evil ruler in human history was placed in a position of power by God, and reigns under His authority.

What about the really evil leaders like Hitler, Stalin, Herod or Nero? My finite mind cannot comprehend God’s eternal plan in all of this, but yes, even those evil and wicked rulers were placed in positions of power.

Imagine the alternative. What if God stepped back from His role of ruling and reigning over all human authorities? The world would become unlivable if that happened because evil would have no limits or end. What comforts me more than anything is knowing that God has been and will continue to be in control even when things seem out of control.

So this Presidents’ Day I’m not celebrating any President in particular. Rather, I am celebrating the truth that God is in control of all Presidents, past and present. I am celebrating that God has invited me to be part of His plans for those in leadership by praying for them. I learned a long time ago that complaining and criticizing leadership, whether publicly or privately, does little to change anything.

Today I’m celebrating Presidents’ Day with great joy, hope, and confidence because the holy and perfect God is moving all of humanity towards the day where every tongue will confess and every knee will bow down before Jesus, our Perfect President – the One True King of Kings.

What will you choose to celebrate this Presidents’ Day?