In Part 1, we examined The Character God Requires of people in leadership. He cares greatly about a nation’s political life, for God Himself ordained human government. Without government, society would descend into anarchy. He desires us to live “a peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:2) and to pray for “kings and all that are in authority,” that we may indeed do so.
Does God want this just so we’ll have a comfortable, trouble-free life? No. Rather, He knows that when order and good government prevail, that’s the best atmosphere for families to flourish, children be discipled in the faith, and the Gospel shared freely with the lost.
As we said, it is inconceivable that God would have ordained government, then told His people to remain aloof from it.
Now let’s look at The Choice God Respects.
God allows us to choose wicked leaders
It may surprise you, but He gives us that choice! God sets standards but allows us to choose wicked leaders contrary to His own will.
“They set up kings, but not by Me; they made princes, but I did not acknowledge them. From their silver and gold they made idols for themselves — that they might be cut off.” Hosea 8:4
“They set up kings but it wasn’t My will,” God is said. We get the leadership we deserve. Wicked rulers are God’s “reward” — the natural consequences — for wicked people.
The prophet Samuel said to Israel,
“And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which you have chosen you, and the Lord will not hear you in that day.” 1 Samuel 8:18
God says, “You’re going to choose a king, the wrong king, then you’re going to come crying, ‘God, have mercy,’ but I will not hear you because of the king you have chosen.” God allows us to chose even wicked leaders.
The Consequences God Reveals
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” Proverbs 29:2
By our vote we’re either going to have righteous or wicked leaders. There are consequences when we choose wicked leaders. We’re either going to rejoice or weep.
May I tell you with a broken heart that America is in desperate trouble? God has taken down the protective hedge from this nation. Will oceans of tears, rivers of blood, and seas of sweat be the price we’ll pay for turning our backs on Almighty God? Oh, that there would be a mighty spiritual awakening and return to God.
The Control God Reserves
God has not lost control because we have leaders who are out of control. Be assured — wherever man rules, God still overrules.
He brings the princes to nothing; He makes the judges of the earth useless. Scarcely shall they be planted, scarcely shall they be sown, scarcely shall their stock take root in the earth, when He will also blow on them, and they will wither, and the whirlwind will take them away like stubble. Isaiah 40:23-24
For God is the King of all the earth. Psalm 47:7
The Lord sitteth king forever. Psalm 29:10
Politicians come and politicians go, but God endures as King of kings over all nations. We didn’t vote Him in, and we’ll certainly not vote Him out. He is King forever.
If Americans turn their backs on God and continue to support policies that fly in the face of Scriptural principles, thwarting God’s stated will at every turn, then…even where God does not rule, God will overrule.
The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Psalm 33:10-11
One day I had lunch with Corrie Ten Boom, who suffered so much under Nazi persecution. I decided I would not talk much but just listen. She captured my imagination when said, “There is no panic in heaven, only plans.” I love that. Friend, the Holy Trinity never meets in emergency session. Where man may rule, God still overrules.
The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord and as the rivers of water. He turneth it whithersoever He will. Proverbs 21:1
Even ungodly rulers become instruments in the hand of Almighty God. Remember how He used Pharaoh in the Old Testament? And the Persian king Cyrus? Even Pilate…when Jesus was condemned. Wherever man rules, God still overrules. Jesus told Pilate, “You don’t have any power but that which is given you of above.” When men shake their fists in His face with wicked decrees, God still rules from heaven. He is King of kings and Lord of lords.
As we approach this important election, remember —
- The character God requires (godly, wise, honest, discriminating, protective)
- The choice God respects
- The consequences God reveals and…
- The control God reserves
The answer is not in the school house, state house, or White House. It’s in the church house, with God’s people. We must —
- Pray for revival.
- Plan for survival.
- Look for His arrival.
Prepare your children that life may not be like it was when you grew up. Get serious, get an open Bible and build into them the truth of God’s Word. Above all, look for His arrival. Jesus is coming.
You ask, “Pastor, is that escapism?” Call it what you will, but I’m looking for Jesus to come. Friend, one day our King is coming.
This is my Father’s world. God has sworn by Himself that one day He will put His King, the Lord Jesus, upon the holy hill of Zion. Our hope is not in Washington, it is in Heaven.
Kingdoms come and kingdoms go, but our Lord rules over all. I love Jesus Christ. I’m not ashamed to call him King. No matter what happens in upcoming elections, the day will come when the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.