A Vigilant Nation

by | Jul 2, 2016 | Patriotism

The Foundation of a Nation – “In God We Trust.”

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He chose for His inheritance. From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth– He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.  May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.”  (Psalm 33:12-22)

United States of America has always had enemies

Vigilance has never come easy.  Throughout the past 200 plus years the United States of America has always had enemies.  Many today still remember the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and everyday in some way we are reminded of 9/11/2001.  A day that reminded us that even the powerful U.S.A. is not beyond the violent attack of a hateful enemy.

I would propose to you that America needs to be vigilant and she must have her full trust in God.  There are three Biblical ways for America to protect her national borders.  Our war on terrorism has upped the ante and the Lord is calling the church to the lay a foundation that points those who have ears to hear to once again set their hearts on truly saying, “In God we trust!”

Just what three things is the Lord calling Christians to do in these last days?  Our keys text lays the foundation for the United States as she endeavors to avoid the dangers that are coming at her through acts of terrorism.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He chose for His inheritance. From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth– He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.  May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.”  (Psalm 33:12-22)

Healthy fear of the Lord

There are three foundational truths that the Holy Spirit wants to place within our hearts this Independence Day Weekend.  Our great military strength alone is not enough as we face an enemy that is hard to locate and never knowing when, where, and how he may attack. The first foundational truth found in a vigilant nation is a healthy fear of the Lord. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD… the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him.” (Psalm 33:12,18)

Contemporary America has a long list of transgressions against the Lord. Some of those transgressions are the embracing of the homosexual agenda, abortion, abandoning Christ by bowing to the pressures of the ACLU and other worldly organizations.  However the remnant, Christians who know Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord are a powerful force in a wicked culture that flaunts her disbelief’s.  There is a powerful hope in the words that the Lord spoke to Abraham in his plea for Sodom and Gomorrah.  The Lord told Abraham, “For the sake of ten [righteous men], I will not destroy it.”  A God fearing people can make a powerful difference in God’s dealings with a nation.

The Bible gives us this powerful truth worth clinging to, “the LORD delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.”  (Psalm 147:11)  Psalm 34:7 says, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear [God] and He delivers them.”

The obvious question is “What is fear of the Lord?”

The fear of the Lord ranges from terror, which may be evidenced by shaking or trembling (Daniel 5:6), to awe or reverence (Malachi 2:5) which induces love or worship rather than terror.  This is the very awe that every God fearing man should have before the Lord if he is going to be among that remnant that is going to be used of the Lord to maintain a lasting foundation for America.

In the close of the Book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon writes a truth that must be grasped by all Christians and especially for those who may be involved in the governmental affairs of this country.  He writes, “…Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)   In the Old Testament fear of the Lord is used as designation of true religion. (Proverbs 1:7)  This fear conjoined with love and hope in Christ is the heartbeat of true reverence thus becoming the preventive tool against backsliding and is the incentive to living a life of true repentance before God. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

True Christianity produces a fear that induces a love for keeping God’s commands and laws.  In Deuteronomy 5:29 we read about what is on  the heart of God for those who are called by His name, “Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear Me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children.”  In Deuteronomy 31:12 we read of Moses telling the priest to “Assemble the people – men, women, and children, and the aliens living in the towns, so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord…”

Fear of the Lord involves receiving instructions from God’s Word.  In 2 Chronicles 26 we read of King Uzziah accepting instructions from a man of God named Zechariah.  Uzziah took instructions from Zechariah on how to live in “fear of the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 26:5)  The Bible says, “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord…  He sought God…   [and] as long as he sought God the Lord, God gave him success.” (2 Chronicles 26:4-5)

Uzziah prospered in civilian and battle pursuits.  This includes building and farming projects. (2 Chronicles 26:6-9)  Uzziah became a great military leader and inventor and God gave him well-trained armies powerful enough to regain land taken over by hostel nations and hold off enemy attacks. (2 Chronicles 26:11-15)  Uzziah had fame that was in accordance of God’s Word thus bringing honor to God and His people.  The Ammonites paid him tribute.  Uzziah’s reign as king underscored the connection between a king’s and nation’s success with their obedience to God’s Word reflecting true fear of the Lord. (2 Chronicles 26:5; 2 Kings 14:21-22; 15:1-14)

A nation with a firm foundation has Christians who have the heart of the psalmist who wrote, “Teach me your way, O Lord, and I walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” (Psalm 86:11)  God is very pleased and will look out for a nation that has people who serve Jesus, cleave to Him, live under the authority of Christ and keep His words.  Obedient Christians who fear the Lord see all acts of obedience to the Lord as a delight, not a burden.  Psalm 112:1 says, “Praise the LORD.  Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in His commands.

The foundation of this country is clearly spelled out in the words of William Bradford who became governor of the Plymouth Colony as he describes the mission of the Pilgrims.  Mr. Bradford said, “They cherished a great hope and inward zeal of laying a good foundation… for the advancement of the gospel of Christ in the remote parts of the world…”

It is very evident that the men who God used to lay the foundation of this nation were men who had a fear of the Lord.  Listen to these quotations from our founding fathers and other national leaders.   Men like George Washington who said, “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.”  In his farewell speech of 1796 he said, “Of all habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. …Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”  George Washington was a man of prayer who could grasp the heart of God in praying, “Direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb, and purge my heart by thy Holy Spirit… Daily frame me more and more into the likeness of Thy Son Jesus Christ.”

The third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson said, “God …gave us liberty.  And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis…  …I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever.”  Thomas Jefferson knew the need of a nation to walk in reverence before God and to live with a Biblical understanding of what it means to live in the fear of the Lord.

One of America’s Revolutionary leaders, Patrick Henry said, “It cannot be emphasized to strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

We know this to be true because of the heart that was reflected in men who signed the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution.  John Witherspoon, a signer of the Declaration of Independence said, “Cursed be all learning that is contrary to the Cross of Christ.”  Alexander Hamilton, signer of the Constitution said, “I have a tender reliance on the mercy of the Almighty, through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am a sinner. I look to Him for mercy.”

There have always been attacks on the faith of the men God had used to lay the foundation for this nation and even on Christians the Lord is using now to govern this nation.  One such man was Benjamin Franklin who has often and still is accused of being a deist.  At the Constitutional Convention of 1787 he clearly said, “I have lived long.  Sir, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth – that God governs in the affairs of men.  And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it [possible] that an empire can rise without His aid?  We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that ‘except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.’  I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of [the Tower of] Babel… My views… are the results of life of inquiry and reflection, and very different from the anti-Christian system imputed to me by those who know nothing of my opinions.

To the corruptions of Christianity, I am, in deed opposed; but not to the genuine precepts of Jesus Himself.  I am a Christian in the only sense in which He wished anyone to be; sincerely attached to His doctrines in preference to all others.”

We all must understand that back in the time of laying a foundation for this nation there were men who claimed to be God fearing and were not, just like it was in the time God was building and establishing the nation Israel.  However, there was that remnant who truly feared the Lord.  The Holy Spirit dwelt with this through the Apostle Paul in Romans 9:6, “…For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.”  God does not look upon a man’s outward relation and position, but upon the character and heart.  Calling oneself an Israelite does not make a person right with the Lord and neither does calling oneself an American citizen while quoting “In God we Trust.”  The Apostle Paul gives this truth in Romans 2:28-29, “A man is not a Jew [or Christian] if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.  No, a man is a Jew [or Christian] if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the [Holy] Spirit…” There has always been a remnant and Jesus taught only a few will enter the narrow gate and walk the narrow road that leads to eternal life. (Matthew 7:13)

I do not know how many Christians were involved in the founding of this nation, one thing is for sure, there were men who had a fear of the Lord and God used them to lay a firm foundation for this country.  It will only take a remnant to grasp the heart of God and live in the fear of the Lord to assure God’s hand upon our country, petitioning Him to do what is best for the souls of mankind to come to Christ.

One Nation Under God also has her foundation under-girded in prayer.

1Timothy 2:1-2 says, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

The Apostle Paul used the word “urge” (parakaleo) meaning to exhort with urgency.  He wrote “first of all” meaning that prayer for those in leadership is of primary importance in the church, a very essential part of public worship.

We are to pray for those in leadership positions, Republicans praying for Democrats and Democrats praying for Republicans.  The heart of God is not first for Republicans to be praying for more Republicans and Democrats praying for more Democrats.  “Many years ago a famous chaplain was asked, ‘Do you pray for the Senators?’ he replied with, ‘No, I look at the Senators, and then pray for our county!”

This was really a very good answer for Proverbs 21:1 says, “The King’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases.”  God’s Word affirms that the decisions of the king are under the Lord’s control.  And God moves the king to do as he pleases.  As the farmer channels the water where he wants and regulates its flow, so does the Lord with the king.  No human ruler then, is supreme.  God determines the results of his reign and how long he reigns as the king or in America’s case, governs as president.

Christians are to pray in accordance with Exodus 18:21-22, “But select capable men from all the people–men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain–and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times…”

“Judges” (sapat) here means to govern.  This Hebrew word is much more inclusive than the modern day concept of judging and encompasses all the facets and function of government; executive, legislative and judicial.  Judges are to be men who have a fear of the Lord and they have a serious charge

This is why a vigilant nation will have men like George Washington who prayed, “Bless O Lord the whole race of mankind, and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy Son, Jesus Christ.”  Men like Abraham Lincoln who served our nation in its bloodiest war who said, “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go to and my own wisdom…  seemed insufficient for the day.” (Taken form a sermon preached by Pastor Gerald Flurry)

When this nation has been attacked, in great danger or in times of making key choices about the direction of her future, the Lord has raised up men of faith in Christ and men of prayer.  He also raises up Christians who feel a great burden to be in humble prayer for their leaders.

The Pentecostal Evangel ran the true story of Eliza Gurney who the Holy Spirit gave special sympathy for President Lincoln, a president who has been driven to his knees many times.   She had prayed for a spiritual visit with the president and in October of 1862 the Lord brought that visit about.

She was accompanied by three friends, John Whitall, Hannah Mott and James Carey.  Not one of them sought anything for themselves and none came to criticize or offer unasked advice.  They came only to give spiritual support.  They were therefore greeted with unusual warmth from Mr. Lincoln and he spent much time with them.
In the private apartment of President Lincoln there was an awful silence and the President had a look of anxiety on his face brought by the national crises the United States was in.   Tears ran down his face and when a prayer was offered President Lincoln bowed his head in reference.  After the prayer Mrs. Gurney gave in essence a short Biblical message, which was later written down in Lincoln Papers.  After the message she knelt down and prayed a prayer asking that light and wisdom would be shed down from on high, to guide our president.

After further silence Lincoln spoke, “We are indeed going through a great trial – a fiery trial.  In every responsible position in which I happen to be placed, being a humble instrument in the hands of our Heavenly Father, as I am, and as we all are, to work out His great purposes.  I have desired that all my works and acts may be according to His will, and that it might be so, I have sought His aid…” President Lincoln words reflect the heart of a man who knew that a vigilant nation must have God’s aid and that the Lord works through positions of great authority as well as through humble servants fulfilling their call in praying for those who are in governmental authority.

Beseeching the Lord for a true spiritual awakening

Vigilant nations have leaders who know their need of Divine intervention and have faithful servants who obey God’s Word to be in prayer for their leaders.  Such nations also have men and women of God beseeching the Lord for a true spiritual awakening.

Joel 2:12-13 says, “Even now, declares the Lord, ‘return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.  Rend your heart and not your garments.  Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.”

The expression “the Lord your God” was well known to Israel and testified to the conventional relationship between God and the nation.  For the people of a nation to “rend” their hearts is to have it circumcised by the Holy Spirit and produce the fruit of repentance by the way they live before God.  This only comes as God has revealed to a nation’s people in a nation of her sins and He is the only one who can do a supernatural work in the hearts and lives of people.

When people are truly broken by their sins, and yearn to return back to living for the Lord, then a change of life will follow.  A form of godliness that denies the power of God breaks the heart of God.  True repentance leads to a nation and people enjoying the graciousness and compassion of the Lord and enables a vigilant nation to rest in the abounding love of God.

Vigilant nations have spiritual leaders who know the need of being a nation that calls out to God for a true spiritual awakening.  Abraham Lincoln wrote an address to the nation during the Civil War, by which he designated Thursday, April 30, 1863 as a day of humiliation, fasting and prayer.

He wrote, “It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.

The awful calamity of the Civil War which now desolates the land may be but a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to bring us to a needful national reformation as a whole people.  Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity to pray and too proud to pray to the God that made us.

It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and pray for clemency and forgiveness.”

A vigilant nation expresses true “In God we Trust” by living in fear of the Lord by being vigilant in prayer by her leaders and through Christians praying for their leaders and by beseeching God for a spiritual awakening.  She must have a remnant in her that is living the Christian life before God.

Let us pray!

(The truths found in the message come from long prayerful study of the NIV Bible, The Complete Word study of the New and Old Testament; The Expositors Bible Commentary; Harper’s Bible Dictionary; Easton’s Bible Dictionary; The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Pentecostal Evangel; Barnes Notes; Thru the Bible; Commentary on the Old Testament; A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory; Daily Study Bible Series; Matthew Henry Commentary; Willmington Bible Hand Book; The Bible Reader’s Bible Commentary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary; The New American Commentary: Dictionary of Biblical Languages With Semantic Domains; Encyclopedia of 7,700 Illustrations)

A Nation’s Only Hope

by | Jul 2, 2016 | Patriotism

Leaders who are God Ordained to be a Blessing 

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For he is God’s servant to do you good.  Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.  This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.  Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”  (Romans 13:1-2, 4-6)

God’s Word Has Final Authority

The Word of God tells us a lot about governmental authority.  Many people, Christians and non-Christians, have become discouraged in what they are seeing in the political process.  Many are convincing themselves that it is not worth the trouble to participate in one of the greatest freedoms that God can give a nation, the opportunity of voting for political leaders.

I would propose to you that regardless of what you hear and how you feel, God’s Word is to have the final say in your participation in the political process.  Our response toward governmental rule will make the difference between receiving the Lord’s blessings on our wonderful country or experiencing the chastisements of God.

Romans 13:1-2, 4-6 says, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For he is God’s servant to do you good.  Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.  This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.  Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”  (Romans 13:1-6)

What does God’s Word say about government and what should be the goal for a nation that desires the blessings of God upon her people?

The first question that must be answered is “Why does a nation that had founding fathers who feared God have laws that openly allow things to go on that are clearly against God’s Word?”  Ezekiel 20:25 gives us the answer, God said to Ezekiel speaking about the people of God who rebelled against Him by not following His decrees and were not careful to keep His laws.  The Lord Almighty says, “I also gave them over to statutes that were not good and laws they could not live by…” (Ezekiel 20:25)

We all must understand that back in the time of laying a foundation for this nation there were men who knew Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  How many no one knows.    

The foundation of this country is clearly spelled out in the words of William Bradford who became governor of the Plymouth Colony as he described the mission of the Pilgrims.  Mr. Bradford said, “They cherished a great hope and inward zeal of laying a good foundation… for the advancement of the gospel of Christ in the remote parts of the world…”

It is very evident that the men who God used to lay the foundation of this nation were men who had a fear of the Lord.  Listen to these quotations from our founding fathers and other national leaders.   Men like George Washington who said, “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.”

In his farewell speech of 1796 Mr. Washington said, “Of all habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. …Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”  George Washington was also a man of prayer who could grasp the heart of God.  He prayed, “Direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb, and purge my heart by thy Holy Spirit… Daily frame me more and more into the likeness of Thy Son Jesus Christ.”

The third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson said, “God …gave us liberty.  And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis…  …I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever.”  Thomas Jefferson knew the need of a nation to walk in reverence before God and to live with a Biblical understanding of what it means to live in the fear of the Lord.

One of America’s Revolutionary leaders, Patrick Henry said, “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

We know this to be true because of the heart that was reflected in men who signed the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution.  John Witherspoon, a signer of the Declaration of Independence said, “Cursed be all learning that is contrary to the Cross of Christ.”  Alexander Hamilton, signer of the Constitution said, “I have a tender reliance on the mercy of the Almighty, through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am a sinner. I look to Him for mercy.”

There have always been attacks on the faith of the men God used to lay the foundation for this nation and even on Christians the Lord is using now to govern this nation.  One such man was Benjamin Franklin who has often and still is accused of being a deist.  At the Constitutional Convention of 1787 he clearly said, “I have lived long.  Sir, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth – that God governs in the affairs of men.  And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it [possible] that an empire can rise without His aid?  We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that ‘except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.’  I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of [the Tower of] Babel… My views… are the results of life of inquiry and reflection, and very different from the anti-Christian system imputed to me by those who know nothing of my opinions.  To the corruptions of Christianity, I am, indeed opposed; but not to the genuine precepts of Jesus Himself.  I am a Christian in the only sense in which He wished anyone to be; sincerely attached to His doctrines in preference to all others.”

These powerful testimonies of great men whom God has raised up to lay the foundation of this wonderful country should set the standard for which Republicans and Democrats lay as the platform of their political agenda.  Our early founding fathers for the most part were statesmen who had a reverent fear of the Lord, great knowledge of His Word, and were no shame in seeking God’s will in the governing of this nation.

Because of our disregard of what the Bible says about selecting and having leaders who do not fear God, we are seeing laws and ordinances that are based on this world’s view.  This causes Christians to live by ordinances and laws that are in direct opposition to the written Word of God.  Amazingly most church attendees are not aware of it because they have disregarded the Word of God.  They would rather watch TV, play games on computers and satisfy self instead of spending painstaking hours of prayerful reading and Bible study before making decisions about their lives.  By doing so they willfully shut out the Lord’s direction for them and are left to the demise of the flesh, the world and the lies of the devil.

One of our nation most noted modern day prophets, David Wilkerson, spoke of concern that some day preachers will be put in jail for preaching that homosexuality is a sin.  Other men of God are warning of a time when churches will lose their tax free status because they cannot endorse the laws of a nation that allows sin against God to reign in the land.  The people of God could very well find themselves put into captivity just like the Israelites did and having to face laws they cannot live by.

According to Dr. James Dobson of “Focus on the Family” our nation is once again in great danger of falling into the hands of political leaders who do not share the views of those who are born again Christians.  This nation needs to see conservative voters get out and vote for the best candidate possible.  If not, Christians will find themselves facing more laws that are directly against the will of God for a nation who claims to want to live under God’s blessings.

Directions for a nation that lives under the slogan, “In God We Trust.” 

When the people of God disregard the Word of God and when a people in a nation despise the decrees and the laws of God, laws will be made that have a negative effect causing everyone to be chastised by the Lord.  The Word of God has directions for a nation that lives under the slogan, “In God We Trust.”  Exodus 18:19-23 says, “Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to Him.  Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform.  But select capable men from all the people–men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain–and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.  Have them serve as judges for the people at all times…  That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you.  If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.” (Exodus 18:19-23)

Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law was priest of Midian and he was a wise, godly man who knew the faithfulness of the Lord.  He gave Moses some advice that should be taken note of by all who live in the United States of America.

Let the Holy Spirit of God place this deep within your heart and mind regarding the selection of men or women who are going to lead this nation’s governmental affairs.  Select capable people from among this nation’s borders, servants who fear God, trustworthy servants who hate dishonest gain.  Have them serve in political affairs for the people at all times.  This will cause the people in the nation to be satisfied.

Jethro told Moses to have these God fearing servants serve as judges. “Judges” (sapat) here means to govern. This Hebrew word is much more inclusive than the modern day concept of judging and encompasses all the facets and function of government; executive, legislative, judicial and warfare.

(The Complete Word Study of the Old Testament; Gesenius Hebrew Chaldee Lexicon on the Old Testament; Tyndale Bible Dictionary)

Judges are to have a reverent fear of the Lord and they are to take their charge seriously.  Those who serve in political affairs are to have good sense, understand business, be bold and not threatened by frowns and grumblings nor controlled by those who praise them and support them.  Their focus is to be as statesmen who have vision for the good of all the people.  They are to be servants who believe in God, understand He is watching them and they are accountable to Him.  This fear of God keeps them from all temptations that may cause them to become corrupt when handing down judgments.  These servants are to be people who love truth, can be taken at their word and relied upon.  They are to be noble and generous and unable to be touched by bribery.

It is imperative to note that Jethro does not expect Moses to just move on his advice without consultation from the Lord.  Jethro said, “If you do this and God so commands.” (Exodus 18:23)  This plan was to be submitted to God prayerfully and so should be the selecting of men and women who will govern the affairs of this nation.

Jethro, a man of God tells Moses that if governmental authorities walk before the Lord in uprightness the people whom they govern will be satisfied, cheerful and contented.  They will have confidence in the leadership and respond appropriately.  Christians who will utilize their God given strengths to affect their community through governmental affairs are Christians used by God to maintain a nation “In God We Trust.”

Christian leaders and non-Christians hold must be shown respect

There is much to be said in the Word of God regarding a Christian’s relationship to his government and civil rule.  The office Christian leaders and non-Christians hold must be shown respect.  1 Peter 2:13-14 says, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.”  (1 Peter 2:13-14)

At the writing of this passage of Scripture Nero was just coming to the throne as the new emperor.  Peter is writing to Christians and telling them to submit to every authority or rather the institutions of man.  To honor God who ordained human government, Christians are to observe man-made laws carefully as long as those laws do no conflict with the clear teaching of Scripture.

In Acts 4:19 we read of a time when the Sanhedrin had commanded Peter and John to not speak or teach in the Name of Jesus.  Their reply was, “Judge for yourself whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God.  For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19)  Our key purpose for living is to bring honor and glory to Jesus Christ and do what is best for His kingdom.  Our goal in life is to live as Christ who submitted to those in authority.

Our submission to governmental rule with the right attitude can be every bit as much a witness for Christ as our preaching and teaching of God’s Word.

What Peter is writing about is obedience to the institution that creates the law and enforces it.  It is possible to submit to the institutions and still disobey certain laws, especially laws that would cause us to break the law of God.

For example, when Daniel and his three friends refused to obey the king’s dietary regulations, they disobeyed an ordinance; but the way they did it proved that they honored the king and respected the authorities.  In Daniel 1:5 we read that the “…king assigned a daily food and wine from the kings table.”  In Daniel 1:8 we read that “…Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself in this way.”

Daniel and his three friends had the courage to observe the laws of the Torah (Leviticus 11: Deuteronomy 14) which forbid the eating of foods that may have been sacrificed to the gods of Babylon (Marduk, Nebo and Ishtar; Expositors Bible Commentary).  Therefore these foods would have been unclean for them to eat.  Daniel did not lead the whole group into a rebellion, but they stood their ground and God granted them favor and sympathy with the official. (Daniel 1:9)

Peter and the other Apostles faced a similar challenge shortly after Pentecost. (Acts 4-5)  The Jewish council commanded them to stop preaching in the Name of Jesus, but Peter pointed them to his only authority and they did not deny the authority of the council.  They submitted to the institution and did not physically assault them nor start a rebellion yet they still preached even if it meant going to jail.

Christians can still respect the office even though the person holding the office is not respectable.  As much as possible, we should seek to cooperate with the government and obey the law, but we must never allow the law to make us violate our conscience or disobey God’s Word.

Years ago Jack Lockwood was in China passing out Christian tracts.  One night the law enforcement came to the motel and arrested him and those with him.  They went down for questioning without a fight or argument.  After their interrogation the police decided that they would hand out the tracts through a local church.  Jack and those with him were still obeying God’s Great Commission and at the same time respected the authority of law enforcement in China at that time.  Christians must be led of the Holy Spirit so they can walked in full obedience to the written Word yet at the same time show respect to the institutions that God has ordained in any certain town, state or country.

Christians must be faithful to pray for those in governmental authority

Christians can walk in respect and obedience to an institution put in place by the Lord and at the same time fulfill God’s ordained purpose for them.  They also must be faithful to pray for those in governmental authority.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 says, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone–for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4)    Proverbs 21:1 says “The Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever, He pleases.”

God’s Word affirms that the decisions of the king are under the Lord’s control.  God moves the king to do as he pleases.  As the farmer channels the water where he wants and regulates its flow, so does the Lord with the king.  No human ruler then, is supreme. (The Expositors Bible Commentary)     God determines the results of his reign and how long he reigns as the king or in America’s case, governs as president.

We read in the Word of God, time and time again of the Lord raising up a king, good or bad, to achieve the purposes He so desires.  There were times when he raised up a bad king to chastise the nation Israel for her disobedience and when Israel would cry out to Him, God would raise up a king to bring a deliverance of some kind.  First and Second Kings demonstrate conclusively the necessity of believers keeping God’s covenant obligations.  The children of God have obligations to the Lord, their families and government.  Therefore, Paul’s admonition, “I urge” (parakaleo) means that it is an urgency that we be faithful to pray for those who are in governmental authority over us, both those who are serving in office right now and those whom we would like to see put in office.

First and Second Kings record the history of those who are responsible in governing the people of God, kings and prophets.  Prophets, Apostles, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers are to be doing what Moses did, “Teach [the people] the decrees and laws, [or rather the whole council of God’s Word].  Those who have been appointed into governmental positions are to serve the people of this nation in reverent fear of God.

Christians need to be praying for statesman and ask the Lord to override political party fights and control.  They are to be asking the Lord to raise up statesmen who fear God and make decisions according to the written Word of God.

Christians are to be asking the Lord to give everyone in office an opportunity to hear the divine inspiration that God gave Solomon, “So be strong. Show yourself a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires:  Walk in His ways, and keep His decrees and commands, His laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go…” (1 Kings 2:2-3)

Our country has only one hope

Our country has only one hope.  Christians need to pray regularly for the Lord to raise up men and women of God to run for political office who walk in step with the Holy Spirit of Christ.  Even though it appears to us right now that good candidates are hard to find we are to stay faithful to our nation and intercede for her.  We can pray to the Lord who controls the king’s heart like He does the water courses of the world.  We can pray, “Lord, move our congress to make and maintain laws that are pleasing to you and good for Christians to live by.  Lord, make us willing and able to obey the laws of the land for the sake of Jesus Christ and Lord, help us to pray regularly for those who you have placed in office for our own good.”

Let us Pray!