EVERYDAY LIFE Monday July 4, 2022
Above pride of nation, be loyal as a soldier of the Lord Jesus.
“Are You not ruler over all the nations?” 2 Chronicles 20:6 NAS.
My thoughts today are about, “God and governments.”
As we celebrate our nation’s birthday and heritage, it seems an appropriate time to consider present world realities. You cannot listen to the news even a little, without wondering and worrying about things happening around the globe. We need to ask and answer an important question. Can governments provide the remedy?
And what is happening? Global politics, accusations and threats from world leaders, heads of governments strutting across the world stage with boast and bravado, bitter political and religious differences competing, growing terrorism and brutal violence, ideological alliances in fearful attempts to balance military powers, international rivalries and jealousies, lust for power with the threat of nuclear and biological weapons, apparent impotence of most treaties, truces, and international sanctions, as well as angry, military hostilities in too many diverse locations. Together, all these together create concern for today and uncertainty for the near future.
Conflicting voices and partisan opinions tell you the solution to all of this is your vote for their candidate or political party. They promise you greater security and prosperity for yourself and family. Isn’t that what every citizen of every nation wants, whatever their nationality, language, religion, economy, or governmental system? Has that ever worked yet?
Where is God in all of this? Let’s see what the Bible says. “God made from one man every nation . . having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation.” Acts 17:26. Ultimately, political summits do not shape the geography of countries. Nor do political leaders alone determine the future of nations. God does! Your informed vote in the political process is important. Your faith in God and enthusiastic prayer is more consequential and powerful and more far-reaching to influence the fate of nations than any political solutions. The Bible is clear. “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 NIV.
God gave you a wonderful, and unbroken, promise. “If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV. God caused Israel’s oppressors to fund their exodus from captivity with Moses. “And I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed toward this people, so that when you leave you will not go empty-handed.” Exodus 3:21 NIV.
Generations later, God opened the heart of Cyrus, King of Persia, to return Israel’s captives to Jerusalem. “In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia . . the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus, king of Persia. to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing.” Ezra 1:1.
In our more recent history, was it the world’s nations that carved out territory and national boundaries in 1948, again returning the Jewish people to their homeland? Or was that the hand of God, and His promise from centuries before? Job was confident, “God makes nations great, and He destroys them; He enlarges nations, and disperses them.” Job 12:23-25 NIV.
Here is the sum of this matter of security and prosperity in this day and world. “I will both lie down in peace and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8. God promised to every nation and generation, “For unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder . . of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.” Isaiah 9: 6-7. Is it God, or governments? I will go with God. “ I want to know Christ – to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings.” Phil.3 3:2.
My prayer for you today is to love pride of nation and be loyal as a servant and soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.
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