How do we know God is in control of leaders and authorities?

Proverbs 21:1 teaches that the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord, illustrating that all leaders, regardless of their intentions, are subject to God's direction. This truth is echoed in Romans 13, where Paul points out that all governing powers are ordained by God. Therefore, believers can have confidence that God exercises control over all earthly authorities, turning their hearts according to His will, even amidst circumstances that may seem contrary to His purposes. It reassures Christians that nothing occurs outside of God's sovereign oversight, motivating them to trust and pray for their leaders, as instructed in 1 Timothy 2:1-2.