Proverbs 21:1
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The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
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With this knowledge in mind, we pray confidently for kings and all in authority, knowing He can and does direct their hearts and decisions (I Tim 2:1-2; Jer 29:4-7). Nehemiah did not hesitate to pray in the presence of the King of Persia for great mercy (Neh 2:1-6).
With this knowledge in mind, we submit to their laws, knowing they and their decisions are orchestrated by the LORD for His glory and our benefit (Rom 13:1-7; Isaiah 49:23).
With this knowledge in mind, we easily understand He is sovereign over lesser men and simple circumstances, so we trust Him completely and wait for His mercy (16:9; Ruth 2:3; James 4:13-15). See the comments on 16:33.
When the Roman Empire collapsed in 476 AD and ten nations rose from its ruins (Dan 7:24; Rev 17:12-13), God put in their hearts to fulfill His will and give their kingdoms in support of the Popes and the revived form of that empire (Rev 17:17). It did not matter for what selfish or fearful purposes they supported papal ambitions, they did it because God put the idea in their hearts. And when it had served His grand purpose, He changed their hearts again (Rev 17:16). And Babylon fell, as prophesied by the same LORD!
Such sovereign rule over kings' hearts was nothing new, for He had done it from the beginning. He hardened Pharaoh's heart in order to get glory over him and Egypt (Ex 4:21; 14:4,17). Why else would a man take his chariot down into the Red Sea after ten plagues in the land of Egypt! What a fool! Be not highminded, but fear!
He hardened the heart of Sihon, king of the Amorites, to destroy him in battle (Deut 2:30). He hardened David's heart to number Israel by turning him over to Satan for a season (II Sam 24:1; I Chr 21:1). He exposed Hezekiah's heart by leaving it to its own pride (II Chr 32:31). He played with Ahab by lying to him with His own prophet and then sending a lying spirit to his prophets (I King 22:15,22). And the King of Assyria was no more than an axe or saw in the LORD's hand, though he knew it not (Is 10:5-15).
Our great God removed the lusts of kings for the land of Israel three times a year, when all the men attended the three annual feasts (Ex 34:24). But he also hardened the hearts of those same kings to be destroyed in battle against Israel (Josh 11:20). He gave a new heart to Saul and great largeness of heart to Solomon to prepare them to be kings (I Sam 10:9; I Kings 4:29). But He gave Nebuchadnezzar a beast's heart for seven years to humble him, and He did not even ask the poor king's permission to do it (Dan 4:16-17)!
Whether Adolph Hitler, President Bush, or Saddam Hussein, it does not matter - the LORD controls their hearts. We can pray for them. If under their rule, we can submit to their laws (unless against God's laws). And we can rest in our Heavenly Father's loving but mighty arms. For they cannot touch us without His permission (Ps 105:14-15).
Dear reader, be thankful the LORD is sovereign over the human heart, because if he had not changed your heart, you would be slobbering to a stump somewhere (Is 44:9-20). Give God the glory, and ask Him to continue to change your heart (I Kings 8:58; Psalm 51:10; 119:32,36; 141:4; Isaiah 63:17; Philippians 2:13; Hebrews 13:21). Amen.
The LORD Jehovah is sovereign over men's hearts, even kings' hearts. As easily as He directs rivers back and forth as they rush to the sea, so He turns the hearts of kings any direction He desires to accomplish His holy purposes. "O bless our God, ye people!"
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