Well it’s that time again, it’s that time when Americans slog through the longest presidential campaign in the world (Canada’s process–11 weeks, Mexico–12 weeks, America–some candidates have started campaigning a whopping 569 days before election day), and also the most expensive, with some experts predicting over 5 billion dollars being spent when all this is said and done. Every news program touches upon the presidential run every….. single…..day. Unfortunately, there’s no escaping it (unless you’re smart enough to throw out your frequency receiving devices). The presidential election and the hope for change seem to be exalted above everything else, with all the main candidates not only known in America, but internationally as well. Despite how exalted this office is, we can’t lose perspective. Compared to the King of kings, these earthly governments are like fading mist, here today and gone tomorrow. Meanwhile, the government of the Most High is like a rock, standing forever.
THE HIGHEST GOVERNMENT
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, and The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
The kingdom of God is upon the shoulders of Jesus. He is the foundation of the highest government. The following prophecy about the kingdoms of man versus the Kingdom of God clearly shows where we’ve been, and where we’re headed. The Kingdom of God is represented by a stone that then becomes a mountain and crushes the temporary statue that represents the governments of man.
34 You continued looking until a stone was cut out without hands, and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and crushed them. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were crushed all at the same time and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them was found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. Daniel 2:34-35 (NASB)
INSTRUCTION
Is there any instruction from the highest government concerning the secular governments of man? Of course, although man has rejected His lordship, God continues to move through earthly governments to accomplish His will. God clearly wants His people to pray for those in authority, not just those in your favorite political party, but whoever is in charge. Don’t you know that Christians can have a profound impact upon authorities if we pray?
“1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior…” 1 Timothy 2:1-3
The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. Proverbs 21:1
The following is an exert from Dillon Burroughs’s article pertaining to prayer and politics.
“We live in an age of political spite. Even seemingly devout Christians have decided it’s okay to bash our nation’s leaders with reckless abandon. “I know I’m supposed to love our president, but…” or “I can’t wait to get those politicians (choose your party) out of office in the next election!” Yet these attitudes are directly opposed to God’s plan regarding our Christian view of our nation’s leaders.
First and foremost, the apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 2 commands us to pray for our governing leaders. In fact, just about every possible word for pray was used to communicate this truth. Further, we are not to pray for their demise. We are told that we pray in order that “we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” What does this mean? We pray for our leaders so we will live in a stable society that allows us to focus on worshiping God….”
BOY DO WE NEED PRAYER
One thing that Christians truly need to be leery of is the vain philosophies of politics.
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8 (ESV)
Democrats have a certain philosophy, as well as the Republican party. All political parties feel like they have the answer to the public’s problems. These parties may try to stand on cherry picked scriptures from the bible, while having a form of godliness, but unfortunately, they deny its power. The overall emphasis always ends up being man centered, meaning–man has the answer. It’s vain for Christians to put so much weight and hope in political parties that are doomed to fail, because they depend on elemental spirits of the world instead of the Spirit of God. The bottom line—these parties are not determined to follow Christ in all things, and they do not trust God for resources. They are out to take from and exploit the weak. There’s a spirit of corruption, bribery, hypocrisy; “and to take as much as we can from the public coffers before it all comes tumbling down” type of approach—a spirit of, “let’s party now for tomorrow we die“, and the wickedest philosophy that is used to rationalize so much political evil says, “the end justifies the means“. Well, nothing is new under the sun: Isaiah 1:21-26.
21 How the faithful city has become a harlot!
It was full of justice;
Righteousness lodged in it,
But now murderers.
22 Your silver has become dross,
Your wine mixed with water.
23 Your princes are rebellious,
And companions of thieves;
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And follows after rewards.
They do not defend the fatherless,
Nor does the cause of the widow come before them.
UNGODLY COUNSEL
People really need to put away the ungodly counsel that is regurgitated over the airwaves everyday. Airwaves that are filled with demagogues and liars using half truths to fill people’s hearts up with hate and bitterness. Hate directed towards other people that are made in Gods image and likeness, who He loves through the sacrifice of His son. We may wink at, and justify embracing demagogues full of ungodly counsel and entertainment, but God doesn’t.
Psalm 1:1-6(ESV)
1 Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
SUBTLE SATAN
The devil knows the power of God that’s released against him when Christians take God’s word to heart. Therefore, if he can change things, and move things ever so slightly away from what God really wants, he’ll do it. A lot of Christians have embraced the idea that the answer to our country is having more Christians in political offices. Although, without a doubt, God calls some Christians to political offices, and it’s a great calling, but is it emphasized in the word of God as “the” answer? Under the Old Covenant, you could make a case, sort of, because God did promote some people to positions of political authority, Joseph comes to mind; but under the New Covenant, are we not encouraged to pursue Kingdom offices, not mans. The bible is clear that we are to pursue offices and callings in God’s government, such as deacons, pastors, shepherds, overseers, evangelists, prophets, teachers, etc. Don’t misunderstand, God doesn’t ignore the governments of man; He specifically says to pray for them first. We should look to prayer first, not with lip service and unbelief, but with faith that praying to God is THE answer above all else pertaining to worldly governments, then supporting Christians who run for office.
IN CONCLUSION
It’s a challenge in these last days to keep things in perspective. Everything is set up to distract us, get our attention, watch me, click me, and look at me! Billions of dollars are used to study our weaknesses and fears, and how to exploit them; to find the psychological buttons to push that will get our attention, dollars, and even votes. But let us focus on the Eternal Kingdom for all of these things will fall by the wayside. Let us pray for the authorities of this world, because all men are subject to God. Let us keep a holy perspective.
The saying is trustworthy, for:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him;… 2 Timothy 2:11-12