Fresh Start Devotionals

In Charge On March 30, 1981 John Hinckley, Jr. raised a.22 pistol and shot President Reagan as the President left a Washington Hotel. The secret service agents pushed the President into the car and rushed him to George Washington University Hospital. Reagan survived the attack and quickly recovered. A jury found Hinckley not guilty by reason of insanity for the attempted assassination. Hinckley wasn’t the only one whose mind slipped. Back at the White House, Alexander Haig announced, “I’m in charge, here, now!” But we all know that he wasn’t. Alexander Haig is a man comfortable with being in charge. From 1974–79, he was the NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. I would imagine he gave an order or two while in the military. When he retired from the US Army, he did so with the rank of General, which means that most of the men and women in the Army had to salute him when he walked into the room. Under President Nixon he was the Whitehouse Chief of Staff and under President Reagan he was the Secretary of State. He was a man under authority who had authority. But this time he was wrong. He wasn’t in charge—someone else was. Haig’s mistake reminds us that not everyone who thinks they are in charge really are. Satan may think he is in charge, but he isn’t. The government may think they are in charge, but they aren’t. The Supreme Court may think they are in charge, but they aren’t. You may think you are in charge, but you aren’t. Then who is in charge, here, now? “For the Lord is king! He rules all the nations. Let the rich of the earth feast and worship. Let all mortals—those born to die—bow down in his presence. (Psalm 22:28–29 NLT) Jim L. Wilson, Fresh Start Devotionals (Fresno, CA: Willow City Press, 2009).