God Will Give an Answer
Joseph answered Pharaoh, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."
GENESIS 41:16
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God Will Give an Answer
Those who enter upon civil authority or any other position of government, who are summoned to give advice at court, should prepare themselves for humility and the fear of the Lord. Thus Pharaoh, a heathen king, does not rely on his own prudence but respectfully consults others, who have sound judgment in affairs of state and in religion. But Joseph respects and fears God much more and replies in all modesty to the petition of the king: "Ah, who am I? God can surely do it through someone else." These examples should be carefully observed, and there should be no doubt that political power is a divine arrangement ordained for the benefit of this life and also of the Church, which it serves when it fosters and preserves peace, even though the Church has another office, which pertains to the future life. Then, since it is certain that political power is an ordinance of God and is not in our hands and counsels, we should bend our knees and call upon God with reverence and fear, saying: "Lord God, I am a prince, a magistrate, a counselor, an overseer, a preacher, a teacher; but the government is Thine. Thine is the kingdom, the judgment, and all counsel. Grant me this grace and competence, that my counsels and actions may be successful."
GENESIS 41:16
+
God Will Give an Answer
Those who enter upon civil authority or any other position of government, who are summoned to give advice at court, should prepare themselves for humility and the fear of the Lord. Thus Pharaoh, a heathen king, does not rely on his own prudence but respectfully consults others, who have sound judgment in affairs of state and in religion. But Joseph respects and fears God much more and replies in all modesty to the petition of the king: "Ah, who am I? God can surely do it through someone else." These examples should be carefully observed, and there should be no doubt that political power is a divine arrangement ordained for the benefit of this life and also of the Church, which it serves when it fosters and preserves peace, even though the Church has another office, which pertains to the future life. Then, since it is certain that political power is an ordinance of God and is not in our hands and counsels, we should bend our knees and call upon God with reverence and fear, saying: "Lord God, I am a prince, a magistrate, a counselor, an overseer, a preacher, a teacher; but the government is Thine. Thine is the kingdom, the judgment, and all counsel. Grant me this grace and competence, that my counsels and actions may be successful."
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