What Will Be the Effect of RBG’s Death?
Sep 25, 2020 by David Fowler
Immediately upon receipt of the news that Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had died, wide-spread speculation erupted in regard to what her death meant for the upcoming presidential election and what the Democratic Party’s response would be if Republicans filled the vacancy prior to November’s election. Let me explain briefly why I don’t think this really changed anything at all and what our beliefs in this regard says about us.
My statement about “change” is overly broad, for it certainly changed the dynamics of the current election cycle; however, that is simply a change in what we can see with our eyes and sense in our gut. But the situation, from a Biblical perspective, is still governed by what the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 11:36: “For of Him, and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (emphasis added)
In other words, when the vacancy created by Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death will be filled and by whom, and what will be the outcome of the presidential election are not going to be any different than they were the moment before she died.
Nebuchadnezzar was one ruler who knew the truth of this, though he learned it the hard way:
Daniel 4:35 (emphasis added). As the Psalmist wrote, “Whatever the LORD pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places” (Psalm 135:6).
For the person who believes that these verses reveal what is true about God and God’s relationship to what transpires, it means his or her soul is at rest. For all others, and sadly for many who profess to be Christians, Ginsburg’s death means things like the “fate” of our nation, our form of government, and the outcome of issues we care about are dependent on what happens in the next 45 days or so. Our reaction to the news says a lot about what we really believe.
However, belief in God’s superintending providence in regard to all things, this does not provide a reason for them to sit by and simply see what unfolds.
Those in a position to work in the process should do so. But that work is simply to do the next right thing in the process as it unfolds.
It also means Christians involved in the process do not need to try to manipulate anything; such is not necessary and trying to do so simultaneously reflects disbelief in the goodness of God in effecting His purposes and a disbelief in the goodness of His purposes.
They believe “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Proverbs 21:1), which leaves them free to work from a place of rest.
Those not in a position to work in the process should pray, but what do we pray for?
The simple answer is to pray how the Lord has taught us, “Thy kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven” (Luke 11:1-4).
That is not a copout answer, though it may lack in specifics, because at its heart—and in its simplicity and lack of specificity—is an attitude of humility before God. It acknowledges that all things are really in His hands, which is what Romans 11:36 says. It says that the coming of God’s kingdom and its spread is the greatest thing for which I could possibly pray and want to see happen.
Does this mean that I should not pray that God would fill the vacancy with someone who believes in “real law” and will honor what was intended by the words and phrases used in our Constitution? No, I will certainly pray for that, but that will not be my overarching prayer. Here is my prayer:
I invite you to pray with me.
David Fowler served in the Tennessee state Senate for 12 years before joining FACT as President in 2006.
My statement about “change” is overly broad, for it certainly changed the dynamics of the current election cycle; however, that is simply a change in what we can see with our eyes and sense in our gut. But the situation, from a Biblical perspective, is still governed by what the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 11:36: “For of Him, and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (emphasis added)
In other words, when the vacancy created by Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death will be filled and by whom, and what will be the outcome of the presidential election are not going to be any different than they were the moment before she died.
Nebuchadnezzar was one ruler who knew the truth of this, though he learned it the hard way:
All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, “What have You done?”
Daniel 4:35 (emphasis added). As the Psalmist wrote, “Whatever the LORD pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places” (Psalm 135:6).
What Does Believing This Mean?
For the person who believes that these verses reveal what is true about God and God’s relationship to what transpires, it means his or her soul is at rest. For all others, and sadly for many who profess to be Christians, Ginsburg’s death means things like the “fate” of our nation, our form of government, and the outcome of issues we care about are dependent on what happens in the next 45 days or so. Our reaction to the news says a lot about what we really believe.
However, belief in God’s superintending providence in regard to all things, this does not provide a reason for them to sit by and simply see what unfolds.
Those in a position to work in the process should do so. But that work is simply to do the next right thing in the process as it unfolds.
It also means Christians involved in the process do not need to try to manipulate anything; such is not necessary and trying to do so simultaneously reflects disbelief in the goodness of God in effecting His purposes and a disbelief in the goodness of His purposes.
They believe “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Proverbs 21:1), which leaves them free to work from a place of rest.
Those not in a position to work in the process should pray, but what do we pray for?
How Then Should We Pray?
The simple answer is to pray how the Lord has taught us, “Thy kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven” (Luke 11:1-4).
That is not a copout answer, though it may lack in specifics, because at its heart—and in its simplicity and lack of specificity—is an attitude of humility before God. It acknowledges that all things are really in His hands, which is what Romans 11:36 says. It says that the coming of God’s kingdom and its spread is the greatest thing for which I could possibly pray and want to see happen.
Does this mean that I should not pray that God would fill the vacancy with someone who believes in “real law” and will honor what was intended by the words and phrases used in our Constitution? No, I will certainly pray for that, but that will not be my overarching prayer. Here is my prayer:
Oh, God, creator and sustainer of all things, both in Heaven and on earth, would you in mercy grant us a Justice who will honor the oath she will take to uphold the Constitution as written and, when evaluating situations not envisioned when it was written, will honor as fundamental and unchanging the principles upon which its written words rest?
But, above all, would You do that which will bring glory to You, even if it means reducing to rubble all in the lives of Your people, me in particular, that may have supplanted You in our hearts and in my heart. For You alone are worthy of receiving glory. In this, then, Lord, will Your will be done on earth, even as it is in Heaven, and it is for that I pray. Amen.
But, above all, would You do that which will bring glory to You, even if it means reducing to rubble all in the lives of Your people, me in particular, that may have supplanted You in our hearts and in my heart. For You alone are worthy of receiving glory. In this, then, Lord, will Your will be done on earth, even as it is in Heaven, and it is for that I pray. Amen.
I invite you to pray with me.
David Fowler served in the Tennessee state Senate for 12 years before joining FACT as President in 2006.
