Upon His Shoulders

When Government Feels Out of Control

What do you do when the world feels like it’s spinning out of control? When governments seem to be failing? When persecution of Christians is increasing worldwide? When the news cycle brings fresh chaos every day?

You see, we’re living in a time when many believers are asking these very questions. Christians are being killed all over the world today—not only Christians, but those who hold to the moral compass set by the Bible. Political systems seem unstable. Cultural foundations are shifting. The very concept of truth is under attack.

Into this chaos, we need to hear an ancient prophecy that speaks directly to our current moment. Isaiah 9:6-7 declares: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.”

Here’s the context that makes this prophecy so powerful: Isaiah wrote these words during one of Israel’s darkest political periods. The northern kingdom was about to fall to Assyria. Judah was under constant threat. Human government was proving utterly inadequate. Sound familiar?

But into this darkness, Isaiah prophesied about a different kind of government—one that would rest upon the shoulders of a child. Not a political revolution, not a military conquest, but a divine intervention that would change everything.

Here’s our central truth today: We need to know and accept that God holds the government on His shoulders. This isn’t optional knowledge for believers—it’s essential for proper understanding of our world and our place in it. The government rests on Christ’s shoulders, not on human institutions, and this truth must shape how we view current events, political chaos, and even persecution.

God Holds Government on His Shoulders (Isaiah 9:6-7)

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.”

Here’s the foundational truth we must grasp: We need to know and accept that God holds the government on His shoulders. This isn’t just theological theory—this is the bedrock reality that governs our universe.

You see, when Isaiah spoke of “the government” being upon His shoulders, he wasn’t just talking about Israel’s political situation. He was declaring a cosmic truth: all government, all authority, all rule ultimately rests upon the shoulders of the Messiah.

What does this mean practically? It means that God is sovereign over all earthly authority. Every president, every prime minister, every dictator, every democratic assembly—they all exist under divine authority. Human governments don’t operate independently of God; they operate under His sovereign rule.

But here’s what we often miss: our acceptance of this truth shapes how we view current events and political situations. When we truly believe that the government rests on Christ’s shoulders, it changes everything. We don’t panic when elections don’t go our way. We don’t despair when ungodly leaders rise to power. We don’t lose hope when persecution increases.

Why? Because we understand that Christ is governing even through circumstances that appear chaotic or evil. He’s not caught off guard by political developments. He’s not surprised by cultural shifts. He’s not overwhelmed by global crises.

The phrase “upon His shoulder” suggests both the weight and the responsibility of government. Human leaders often buckle under the pressure of governing. They make decisions based on incomplete information, personal ambition, or political expediency. But Christ bears the weight of universal government perfectly because He alone has the wisdom, power, and righteousness to govern justly.

This is why Isaiah could prophesy with such confidence about the nature of this government: “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.” Human governments rise and fall. They expand and contract. They succeed and fail. But Christ’s government only increases. It never diminishes, never retreats, never fails.

We see this increase throughout history, don’t we? Despite persecution, despite opposition, despite cultural hostility, the gospel continues to advance. Christ’s kingdom grows not through political conquest but through spiritual transformation. He governs by changing hearts, not just changing laws.

But here’s the challenge for us: Do we really believe this? When we watch the news, when we see injustice, when we witness persecution, do we remember that the government rests on His shoulders? Or do we act as if human governments are the ultimate authority?

Our acceptance of this truth is not optional—it’s essential for proper understanding. When we truly grasp that Christ holds government on His shoulders, it provides the foundation for everything else we need to understand about living as Christians in a chaotic world.

We Are Servants of the One Who Rules (1 Timothy 6:12-16)

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses… which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.”

Paul wrote these words as an encouragement to us as we look at current events. When the world seems chaotic or out of control, when persecution increases, when governments seem to be failing, we need this reminder of who we really serve.

Here’s the truth that changes everything: We are servants of the One who rules. Before we are American citizens or Canadian citizens or citizens of any earthly nation, we are citizens of heaven. Before we identify with any political party or earthly movement, we identify with the King of kings and Lord of lords.

This shapes how we respond to political upheaval, cultural chaos, and world events. Our first response is not as citizens of earthly nations—it’s as servants of the ultimate Ruler. Before we react with fear, anger, or despair, we remember who we serve.

What does it mean to serve the One who rules? It means our primary allegiance is to Christ, not to any earthly government. It means our ultimate hope is in His kingdom, not in political solutions. It means our security comes from His sovereignty, not from earthly circumstances.

Paul describes Christ with three crucial titles that remind us of His absolute authority:

First, He is “the blessed and only Potentate.” The word “potentate” means absolute ruler, supreme authority. Christ doesn’t share power with earthly rulers—He delegates it to them. They rule only because He allows them to rule, and only within the boundaries He establishes.

Second, He is “the King of kings and Lord of lords.” This means every earthly king is under His authority. Every earthly lord serves under His lordship. No human ruler, no matter how powerful, operates independently of Christ’s sovereign rule.

Third, He “alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light.” Human rulers are temporary. They rise and fall, live and die, gain power and lose it. But Christ’s rule is eternal. His authority never diminishes. His government never ends.

Here’s why this is such an encouragement as we look at current events: God’s sovereignty over earthly powers provides comfort and perspective. When we see ungodly leaders making ungodly decisions, we remember they’re not the ultimate authority. When we witness persecution of believers, we remember that our King is not threatened by earthly opposition. When we observe cultural chaos, we remember that our God is not confused or overwhelmed.

But this truth also brings responsibility. If we are servants of the One who rules, then we must live like it. We must submit to His authority even when earthly authorities fail us. We must trust His wisdom even when earthly wisdom seems foolish. We must hope in His kingdom even when earthly kingdoms disappoint us.

This is our primary identity: servants of the One who rules. Not Republicans or Democrats, not conservatives or liberals, not Americans or Europeans—servants of the King of kings and Lord of lords. This identity transcends all earthly categories and provides the foundation for how we engage with the world around us.

The Lamb Overcomes All Opposition (Revelation 17:12-14; 19:11-16)

“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war… And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Here’s the central truth we must understand: Jesus IS and WILL BE King of kings and Lord of lords. This isn’t just a future hope—He IS this right now. This isn’t just a present reality—He WILL BE visibly manifested as this. Both present authority and future vindication belong to Him.

In Revelation 17, John shows us ten kings making war against the Lamb. This represents all earthly opposition to Christ’s rule. Every rebellion against God, every persecution of believers, every attempt to establish human authority apart from divine authority—it all amounts to war against the Lamb.

But notice the outcome: “The Lamb will overcome them.” Not “might overcome” or “hopes to overcome” or “will try to overcome.” Will overcome. The outcome is certain, not in question.

Why is the victory certain? “For He is Lord of lords and King of kings.” His victory isn’t based on superior strategy or greater numbers or better weapons. His victory is based on who He is. He is the ultimate authority, and no earthly power can successfully oppose ultimate authority.

But here’s what’s remarkable about this passage: “Those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” We’re not just observers of this victory—we’re participants in it. We are identified with Christ in His triumph over earthly powers.

This means we are on the winning side. No matter how powerful earthly opposition appears, no matter how intense persecution becomes, no matter how chaotic world events seem, we are with the Lamb who overcomes all opposition.

In Revelation 19, John gives us an even more dramatic picture of Christ’s ultimate victory. He sees heaven opened and Christ riding forth as the conquering King. The title written on His robe and thigh—“KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”—declares His absolute authority over all earthly rulers.

This is His eternal identity. All earthly kings and lords are under His authority. His kingship is absolute and uncontested. When He appears, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

But here’s the practical application for us today: We should have confidence in His victory. The outcome is certain, not in question. No matter what current events look like, Christ’s triumph is assured. Our confidence rests in His sovereign rule, not in earthly circumstances.

This means having confidence in His kingship over the events of today. When we see persecution increasing, we remember that the Lamb overcomes all opposition. When we witness political chaos, we remember that the King of kings is not threatened by earthly turmoil. When we observe cultural decay, we remember that His kingdom is advancing despite apparent setbacks.

Most importantly, this means not allowing the discouragements of the day to rule our hope. Daily news and political turmoil cannot shake our hope when it’s anchored in Christ’s kingship. Our confidence is not in earthly solutions but in the certain victory of the Lamb.

Jesus Wins – The Simple Truth (Psalm 2:1-6; Romans 13:1-7)

“Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed… Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion.”

Sometimes the most profound truths can be stated most simply. Here’s David’s summary of world history and current events: “Get this, folks. Jesus wins.”

It’s that simple and that profound. All the rage of nations, all the plotting of peoples, all the rebellion against God’s authority—it’s ultimately futile. God laughs at their rebellion because His King is already installed on His holy hill.

Psalm 2 gives us the pattern we see throughout history: Nations rage and plot, God responds with laughter and wrath, God’s King is already installed, and the outcome is never in doubt. This pattern repeats in every generation, including our own.

But here’s what we often miss: this doesn’t mean earthly governments are illegitimate or that we should oppose them. Romans 13:1-7 teaches us that earthly authorities are set by God. “There is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”

This creates an important balance in our thinking. On one hand, we recognize that Christ is the ultimate King and that earthly rulers are temporary and fallible. On the other hand, we understand that God uses earthly authorities to maintain order and accomplish His purposes.

Paul tells us that we honor the government, knowing that God is honored through our honoring of what He establishes. This doesn’t mean we agree with every decision or support every policy. It means we recognize that the office of government is established by God, even when the people in those offices are ungodly.

Our submission to earthly authority is ultimately submission to God’s order. When we honor earthly rulers, we’re not honoring the person or their policies—we’re honoring God’s established order. Our submission reflects our trust in God’s sovereignty.

This is why the founders of the United States, despite establishing a new form of government, consistently referenced God’s authority in their writings. They understood that earthly government exists under divine authority. They saw themselves as stewards of God-given authority, not as autonomous rulers.

George Washington captured this understanding in his Farewell Address when he wrote: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports… let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion… virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.”

But here’s the reality we must face: Christians are being killed all over the world today. Not only Christians, but those who hold to the moral compass set by the Bible. Persecution is real, widespread, and ongoing.

Yet God is still over all. His sovereignty is not diminished by persecution. His kingship remains absolute despite the suffering of His people. This is the tension we live in: Christ reigns, yet His people suffer.

How do we reconcile this? We understand that He will suffer the heathens to rage for a short while before ushering in the final kingdom. God permits rebellion and persecution for a limited time—”a short while” from God’s eternal perspective. The raging of nations is temporary, not permanent.

The current age of persecution will end. Christ will establish His visible, eternal kingdom. The “short while” of suffering precedes eternal glory. This is the hope that sustains us through present difficulties.

Jesus wins. This is the foundation of our confidence, the anchor of our hope, the source of our peace in chaotic times.

Living with Confidence in His Government

So what does all this mean for us as we live in these chaotic times? How do we practically apply the truth that the government rests on His shoulders?

First, we can expect things to continue for now, or even get worse. The “short while” that God permits the nations to rage may include increased persecution and evil. We should not be surprised by worsening conditions. This is part of living in the age before the final kingdom.

But this doesn’t lead to despair because the gospel will go forth. Despite persecution, despite opposition, despite cultural hostility, God’s redemptive purposes are not thwarted by human evil. The Great Commission continues until Christ returns. His kingdom advances through the proclamation of the gospel, not through political power.

Second, we must not be ruled in our hearts by the evil of this time. External circumstances should not dictate our internal state. The chaos around us must not create chaos within us. Our hearts belong to Christ, not to current events.

This requires intentional discipline. We must guard our hearts against the fear, anger, and despair that naturally arise when we focus too much on earthly circumstances. We must remember that our citizenship is in heaven, our King is on the throne, and our future is secure.

Third, we fix our minds on the right things. We must be always confident in God’s position over all. His sovereignty is the anchor for our souls. We must be confident in His ultimate will. The outcome is certain, regardless of present circumstances.

Most importantly, we must be setting our minds on Christ on the throne. Not on the news, not on political turmoil, not on cultural decay, but on the reigning King. As Paul wrote in Colossians 3:1-2: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

This doesn’t mean we ignore current events or withdraw from civic engagement. It means we view everything through the lens of Christ’s sovereignty. We engage with the world as representatives of His kingdom, not as people whose hope depends on earthly outcomes.

Finally, we take confidence in Isaiah 9: the government is on His shoulders. This is our source of peace in troubled times. Christ bears the weight of world governance, not us. We rest in His sovereign rule.

When persecution increases, we remember that the Lamb overcomes all opposition. When governments fail, we remember that the King of kings never fails. When the world seems out of control, we remember that nothing is out of His control.

You see, this isn’t just theology—this is the practical foundation for Christian living in chaotic times. When we truly believe that the government rests on His shoulders, it changes how we read the news, how we engage in politics, how we respond to persecution, and how we hope for the future.

The nations may rage, but God’s King is already installed. Earthly rulers may oppose His people, but the Lamb will overcome them. Current events may seem chaotic, but they’re all under the sovereign control of the One who holds government on His shoulders.

Jesus wins. The government is on His shoulders. Our hope is secure. Our future is certain. Our King reigns now and will reign forever.

In a world of political chaos and persecution, this is the truth that anchors our souls: the government rests upon His shoulders, and of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.