First, a quick reminder.
I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. ... Therefore I want men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. (1 Tim 2:1-3,8)The text doesn't say "good rulers" or "those I like". We need to pray for our leaders, whoever they are.
Second, whether your candidate one or the other one one or either one, we need to keep in mind that it is God who establishes authorities (Rom 13:1). Proverbs says you get to vote, but God makes the decision (Prov 16:33). Remember, one psalmist tells us, "Do not trust in princes, in mortal man, in whom there is no salvation." (Psa 146:3) Another echoes, "It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes." (Psa 118:8-9) So we aren't trusting in our leaders to bring about our best. We're trusting in the Lord.
Do you remember God talking about Pharaoh? You know, the pharaoh that enslaved and persecuted God's people. Do you remember what God said about him?
"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)Scripture is clear. God establishes authorities. Beyond that, God establishes them for good purposes. Sometimes it is to bless a people, as in the case of David and Solomon. In other cases, it is to discipline a people, as in the cases of Nebuchadnezzar. Always for His glory. And, after all, as followers of Christ, isn't that our first priority, too?
Joby Martin said, "If you are more concerned about politics than saving souls, then you may be a citizen of the wrong kingdom." Good thing to keep in mind going forward. Which kingdom holds your citizenship?
2 comments:
Amen, Stan. The US president can never be the savior. That job has already been filled. It seems obvious, but not too many people seem to really get it.
Christians who look to the POTUS as the one who will establish righteousness in the land are in for a rude awakening. We'd all do well to reread Exodus 20 today and to pray not only for the winner as you so rightly say, but also for ourselves. The country has gotten "the king" it begged for.
God help us.
I urge believers to pray. I urge them to pray if their favorite was elected, if their favorite was not elected, or if they had no favorite and someone still got elected. I urge them to pray for the president, the president-elect, the Congress, the judges, the state governments ... all regardless of the persuasions of the governmental types or the believers doing the praying. PRAY! That is our command. COMPLAIN! That is our tendency. So I say, "Pray."
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