We Are In Good Hands

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as are the watercourses; He turns it whichever way He wills.”

Proverbs 21:1 – AMPC

My first vivid memory of this verse is when I was in high school at age 16. I was going to a Christian school where you worked at your own pace. Being the obsessively, driven person I am, I worked like a crazy girl. The challenge of finishing high school in less than four years sounded heavenly to me. I did not love school and I wanted to get out as fast as humanly possible.

I was a sophomore and I worked all day and well into the night to finish early. When my principal, Mr. Hancock, realized I was going to finish all of my work in two years instead of four, he began to get nervous. He was concerned because he felt I was too young. Other students had graduated early, but not this early. My parents were fine with my early graduation, and I was ecstatic, but I wasn’t sure how I could convince Mr. Hancock to agree.

While talking to my Mom, she showed me Proverbs 21:1, and taught me how we can trust the Lord to change our leader’s heart when it is according to His plan.

So I began to pray, “Lord, Mr. Hancock’s heart is in your hand. Please turn it so He will allow me to graduate early.”

The very next morning at school, Mr. Hancock found his way to my desk. I can still see him leaning over my desk and saying, “I couldn’t sleep last night. I have decided to let you graduate early.” I almost fell out of my chair. I held in a scream of excitement and refrained from a dance of joy. I sweetly smiled and calmly thanked him.

After Mr. Hancock left my desk, I held back tears as I thanked the Lord for answering my prayer. I admit I was surprised He answered so quickly.

Was it important for me to graduate so early? Back then I would have said yes. Today I would say probably not. But God honored His Word and my faith.

This verse has left a lasting impression on my life. It is still the verse I visit when I want to make sure people over me are following the Lord’s will.

No matter who our authorities are, they are not perfect. They will make mistakes and they will disappoint us from time to time. But we have the assurance God ultimately takes care of us when we put our faith in Him.

Since our leaders’ hearts are in God’s hands, as Proverbs 21:1 says, we can be assured we are in good hands.