I have never seen so much attention in an election year. I have never heard more buzz about the issues. I have never heard a president talked about in such a poor way.
In 1 Samuel, God had given the Israelites “the promised land.” God had set up a government of judges to govern the 12 tribes, but it was not a democracy. It was not a dictatorship. It was a theocracy. All the neighboring tribes had kings they could see and follow. Israel did not. So they asked Samuel the prophet to ask God for a king.
God did not want Israel to have a king, but He gave them what they asked for. Saul committed suicide. David did well. Solomon built temples to other God’s. After Solomon, Israel was split between two kings. When Syria came against divided Israel they lost quickly. They were conquered by Persia, then Syria, the Assyria, and eventually Rome.
Jesus comes as a messiah, and Israel doesn’t want to accept Him because He is not overthrowing Rome and establishing Israel as a world power. Jesus in fact said…
Matthew 22:19 Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, 20 he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”
21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.
“Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”
Rome is a corrupt government that by no means shared God’s values, yet Jesus affirms their authority.
Then the Apostle Paul writes…
1 Timothy 2: 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior.
This was written when Paul was being hunted for his faith, yet encourages the Church to pray for it’s government. He did not say pray against them, slander them, or have negative hopes toward them. Jesus actually validates their authority say it came from the Lord. Jesus life was in Pilate’s hands and Jesus tells him…
John 19:11 Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”
Gossip, slander, and rebellion against leadership is sin. Jesus plan for government is not and never will be democracy. It is a theocracy. We are foreigners in a strange land, and like Jesus apart of a kingdom not of this world.
Do NOT get me wrong. I love our nation! I am for our military! I want reform in country! I am for our president! I will vote my values. I trust the Lord to set up His leader for our country. I would like to encourage you to pray for our president and pray for the Lords leader for our nation, and remember that this world will pass away and we a part of a great kingdom with a great King.
Go be Vital
Recklessly, obsessively following Jesus
Brandon Sereg
