God and Government

This appears to be about "politics" ... not my normal Sunday fare. Bear with me. It's not about politics.

We're in an election season. We're faced with a responsibility and choices. We have to decide who we think will best serve as leaders for our country. And, frankly, some of us are concerned. What happens if "the other guy" (whoever that might be for you) ends up in charge? The question for Christians is what does the Bible have to say about human government?

Oddly, the Bible is pretty quiet about government. Try as you might, you won't find anything that suggests that Christianity is tied to the Republican party. I know ... you thought for sure it did, but it's not in there. Nor does it suggest that the liberals are the party of the Christians. It doesn't say much at all. It does say that we would be better off if we had God in charge (1 Sam. 8:11-18). It does say that human government will put our boys in harm's way and take our money in taxes. It does say that we are to submit to government (Rom. 13:1-6).

The most common thing you'll find that the Bible has to say about government, however, should be very reassuring to believers. In Haggai, God assures His people that He will "overthrow the throne of kingdoms".

"I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother" (Haggai 2:21-22).

King Solomon said this about kings:

The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He will (Prov. 21:1).

And you remember Pharaoh. He was not what you would call a "good guy". He was in a line of oppressive rulers who subjugated Israel in slavery. He was not a "good leader". Yet, of him, Paul wrote:

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth" (Rom. 9:17).

Then there was the most heinous crime ever committed by humans in all of history. It was started by people, but carried out by government. Herod and Pilate worked together to put to death the absolutely innocent Son of God. Even then, the Bible says this:

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, for truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your plan had predestined to take place (Act 4:26-28).

I cannot say why God does what He does. Sometimes it is judgment. Sometime it is blessing. Sometimes it is to teach something. I'm pretty sure (as in "absolutely") that He has all sorts of reasons for doing what He does. I am equally sure that they are good reasons. He can use good things to produce good results. He can use bad things to produce good results. We may never even figure out what the results are, but they will be good.

So when you contemplate where you are going to place your vote and consider all the ramifications, possibilities, and concerns, keep in the back of your mind that God is still in control. Whoever ends up in office and whatever the results appear to be, God is still in control. You (and I) need to vote your conscience. Your party may end up in office ... or not. God is still in control.

Oh, there is one more thing that the Bible tells Christians about government, something that we still need to continue regardless of who is in office:

I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way (1 Tim. 2:2).

Listen, while you're in church today, maybe you could ... do just that.