“Princes also did sit and speak against me: but Thy servant did meditate in Thy statutes” (Psalm 119:23 KJV). What princes did David intend in this verse? The princes against him in the court of Saul, his own son Absalom, the counselor Ahithophel, or the princes of the Philistines? Whenever representatives of human government may be oppressive to the godly, what are we to do? David’s inspired solution was to “meditate on Thy statutes” (119:23). This suggests not that no other action be taken, but preeminently, council from God’s Word must be sought to know what to do. And, if nothing else was done, this would be well done. Escalating reprisals against those, who attack us, may be the politics of man, but “love covers a multitude of sins” (1Peter 4:8 NET). Conflict will cease only when there is strength enough to resist war. Love “is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth.” (1Corinthians 13:6). Father, may we study Your Word that we may know how to answer the affront of princes. May we know the ways of peace. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Politics
A Little Bird Told Me
Speaking maliciously of a king or powerful rich person has repercussions. “Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter” (Ecclesiastes 10:20 KJV). Simply testifying of evil conduct is not so much implied, as speaking maliciously with intent to harm, and certainly not “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). “A little bird told me” would more be like gossip, for obvious political purposes, when speaking of a person of power. Moses wrote, “Thou shalt not revile the gods [Hebrew, elohim, as in lesser gods of the Divine Council, Psalm 82:1 ESV ], nor curse the ruler of thy people” (Exodus 22:28). Even the archangel Michael refused to speak boastfully against the devil from the Unseen Realm, but carefully watched his heart and directed his speech. “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee” (Jude 1:9). Paul vilified Ananias the high priest for ordering him to be struck, contrary to the law, for simply speaking the truth. When informed his words were directed against a high priest, Paul respectfully replied, “I wist [knew] not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people” (Acts 23:5). He quoted again Moses, closing the circle of the argument, especially dealing with the powerful but lesser gods of the Unseen Realm, we need to be like Michael the archangel, by humbly resisting the devil “and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). LORD, we know You have already won the game, so we know how we play the game is the only thing of importance. Help us to remember to watch always our heart, that none can ever tattle on us, ‘A little bird told me.’ May our hearts stay pure in the midst of the political posturing and wrangling, of others. In Jesus’ name, we pray, for “Thou God seest me” (Genesis 16:13). Amen.
God Votes His Conscience
Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever” (Daniel 2:4 KJV) is probably as close to “Abraham Lincoln for President” (1864) as OT political slogans go. Should Christians take sides in political contests? Especially in political democracies, Christians may be divided on political issues much as they may differ on matters of church doctrine and polity. For the sake of the Body of Christ, Christians should especially seek solidarity with Christians. Paul advocated Christians to allow themselves to be defrauded rather than taking a brother or sister to a secular, civil court to gain justice (1Corinthians 6:1-7). Participation in politics lends itself to the acrimony of manipulation and maneuvering for advantage well known to survival of the fittest earth dwellers. Can a candidate be known as a seeker of the common good? Was the expression, Honest Abe, only apocryphal? Joseph, Naaman the Syrian general, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, Esther, Mordecai, the Ethiopian eunuch, and Cornelius the Roman centurion saw a measure of godly leadership in secular government. “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it” (1Peter 3:10-11 ESV). Our God will enthrone whomsoever He will to accomplish His purposes; and consistent with this, He simply demands on our part an honest hearted faithfulness of voting our conscience. LORD, You are the Judge of our hearts. Establish truth seekers and truth speakers in the land. Cause us to vote our conscience, and to be accountable to You, since our loyalties belong to You. O Lord, return quickly, in Jesus’ name. Amen. “Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him” (Psalm 140:11 KJV).
Should You Run for Congress?
Probably not, but then again, you may be positioned like Moses or Esther “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14 KJV). Christ’s Body is the Church. Each of us has our gifts and calling, but all for the benefit of the Body. “But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will” (1Corinthians 12:11). No doubt there is a moral vacuum in society. Not all have been motivated or led to step into the place of secular government or leadership. If God has led you, then clothe yourself with power from the Holy Spirit to be that Daniel, who cared more about pleasing God than garnering votes, maintaining political capital, or purchasing political favor to use at a future time. “I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for He is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and He worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions” (Daniel 6:26-27). LORD, raise up Your Moses, Daniel, and Esther for such a time as this; but, whether we find that one or not, may we serve You with all our heart, come what may. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Where Freedom Ends
My right to swing my fist ends where your nose begins. God created all humans “in His own image” (Genesis 1:27 KJV) with the potential of free moral choice. Without the liberty or freedom of choice, humanity is less than human — reduced to slavery, serfdom, or a clone imitation of a real human. But, the very freedom to choose must also contain the seeds of rejection of that liberty, unless the subsequent generations choose to continue in that liberty. If left solely in the hands of humankind, then we are in great peril of being the last generation who understands the Truth. But, glory be to God, He has given us His Eternal Spirit (Hebrews 9:24), through the new birth (John 7:39) and baptism (Acts 2:38) to ensure the success of Truth to the end! “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come” (John 16:13).
How to Protect the Minority
“Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Exodus 22:21 KJV). Foreigners in Ancient Israel were given the liberty and safety to reside among the Israelites, for the Israelites were once foreigners in Egypt. Though not a totally clear picture of the status of possible immigrants in Israel, it is telling that Jehovah gave them special protection. Where the LORD gave “liberty throughout all the land” (Leviticus 25:10), it extended to its immigrants. Liberty or freedom of choice is a trademark of a nation who knows the LORD. “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2Corinthians 3:17). Israel could not continue as a nation singularly for Jehovah, if the culture and religion of the immigrants overpowers the worship of the True God rather than becoming assimilated to Yahweh. If we promote True Christian Liberty, the minorities will be protected; or, we will succumb to foreign gods, if the Spirit of God is not given free reign to effectively propagate the Truth.
Our Heavenly Citizenship
2024 is a year that can divide a nation, churches, and families, when Americans elect a President of the United States (POTUS), unless we remember our Heavenly Citizenship. True followers of Jesus Christ rally around the name of the KING of Kings and LORD of Lords, realizing man’s political distinctions may inadequately characterize the truth. “But our citizenship is in heaven – and we also eagerly await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20 NET). As fervently as we may feel and vote for issues and candidates, let us be charitable with those on the other side of the aisle. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2Corinthians 4:18 NIV). LORD, all the results of the upcoming election are in Your hands. May those results only confirm our gaze upon the eternal. Amen.
We Need A Miracle 