Political Leaders and God's plans
This world is a troubled place.
It doesn't matter to me if you like our current leaders or not. This blog is more about having faith that God has a plan and He uses all kinds of people to move those plans forward. In a past blog we talked about Jesus' disciples and how they came from a variety of backgrounds, some considered evil, and yet were chosen by Jesus to spread the gospel to all nations.
God is not only our Lord and Father, He is King over all. God can and does use ungodly people and troubled, evil times to draw humankind closer to Him.
We can learn a lot from the book in the Bible called Habakkuk. Habakkuk was a prophet of God. I am not a Bible scholar by any means but I hope to bring out a few things here that will help you to have faith in God during these troubled times in our world.
Israel in the Bible is called God's chosen people but during the time of Habakkuk foreign powers invaded Israel again and again and evil and immorality raged. (Bob Burridge, Understanding God in Troubled Times)
Habakkuk was very confused by these events but he did not lose faith. He knew that humans were inherently evil because of the fall and that bad things happen to all.
'for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.' Matthew 5:45
But Habakkuk did not doubt God or His promises. He turned to God and here is what God said.
Habakkuk 1:5, "Look among the nations and watch -- Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, thought it were told you."
Most of the people in those days doubted that God would do anything. They continued in their evil ways believing that there would be no punishment for anyone or anything. And then Christ came and everything changed for those who love Him.
There were so many evil Kings and Rulers from the beginning of time and there will continue to be until Christ comes again. We need to know that God is the true King and He is bringing His plan to completion through good and bad rulers all over the world. It is all written in scripture and everything is ok. He has it all in control.
Our job is to love the Lord with all our hearts, minds and soul and to love our neighbors as ourselves. (no matter who they are). And to spread the news about Jesus' love to everyone so that they can have peace and joy also during these times and know that this world is not their home.
If you are in a panic about what is happening in the world today (yes we should be dismayed and appalled) others will not turn to Christ because you have no peace. Let us show that we trust God in all things no matter what. God reveals Himself in unexpected ways.
Questions:
Are you afraid of what is happening today?
How can you find peace?
How can you show peace without seeming apathetic?
Romans 13:1 - 7 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Paul said this when Caesar was the ruler and we know Caesar was not a follower of Christ and would be considered a harsh ruler. Paul said the above to the Christians at that time declaring themselves free from the law of that time. I believe we should act accordingly.
It doesn't matter to me if you like our current leaders or not. This blog is more about having faith that God has a plan and He uses all kinds of people to move those plans forward. In a past blog we talked about Jesus' disciples and how they came from a variety of backgrounds, some considered evil, and yet were chosen by Jesus to spread the gospel to all nations.
God is not only our Lord and Father, He is King over all. God can and does use ungodly people and troubled, evil times to draw humankind closer to Him.
We can learn a lot from the book in the Bible called Habakkuk. Habakkuk was a prophet of God. I am not a Bible scholar by any means but I hope to bring out a few things here that will help you to have faith in God during these troubled times in our world.
Israel in the Bible is called God's chosen people but during the time of Habakkuk foreign powers invaded Israel again and again and evil and immorality raged. (Bob Burridge, Understanding God in Troubled Times)
Habakkuk was very confused by these events but he did not lose faith. He knew that humans were inherently evil because of the fall and that bad things happen to all.
'for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.' Matthew 5:45
But Habakkuk did not doubt God or His promises. He turned to God and here is what God said.
Habakkuk 1:5, "Look among the nations and watch -- Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, thought it were told you."
Most of the people in those days doubted that God would do anything. They continued in their evil ways believing that there would be no punishment for anyone or anything. And then Christ came and everything changed for those who love Him.
There were so many evil Kings and Rulers from the beginning of time and there will continue to be until Christ comes again. We need to know that God is the true King and He is bringing His plan to completion through good and bad rulers all over the world. It is all written in scripture and everything is ok. He has it all in control.
Our job is to love the Lord with all our hearts, minds and soul and to love our neighbors as ourselves. (no matter who they are). And to spread the news about Jesus' love to everyone so that they can have peace and joy also during these times and know that this world is not their home.
If you are in a panic about what is happening in the world today (yes we should be dismayed and appalled) others will not turn to Christ because you have no peace. Let us show that we trust God in all things no matter what. God reveals Himself in unexpected ways.
Questions:
Are you afraid of what is happening today?
How can you find peace?
How can you show peace without seeming apathetic?
Romans 13:1 - 7 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Paul said this when Caesar was the ruler and we know Caesar was not a follower of Christ and would be considered a harsh ruler. Paul said the above to the Christians at that time declaring themselves free from the law of that time. I believe we should act accordingly.
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