THE NEEDS OF THE GOVERNED
Acts 17:7
Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.
You cannot read the Bible and ignore the political realm. The Bible is thick with politics. You have two books, 1 and 2 Kings that strictly deal with the rule and reign of government leaders. John the Baptist condemned the immoral conduct of Herod Antipas, which led to the prophet’s execution (Mark 6:14–29). In Thessalonica, Paul and his companions were charged with committing treason against Rome for insisting “that there is another king, Jesus” (Acts 17:7). And in the greatest act of political and moral rebellion ever against God, the Antichrist will set up his worldwide government of pure evil, and he will rule the earth (Revelation 13:1–10). Because God is the Sovereign of His universe, it follows that He is intimately concerned with the political affairs of the nations. Psalm 22:28 declares, “The kingdom is the Lord’s and He rules over the nations.” There is nothing that happens in the governments of men that does not flow out of the sovereign rule of God. “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Proverbs 21:1).
All through the Bible we see God placing people strategically in the political realm. He moved Joseph into authority in Egypt (Genesis 41:38–49) and elevated Daniel to a position of great influence in Babylon and later in Persia (Daniel 1:8–21; 2:46–49; 6:1–3). God also placed Nehemiah in the Persian government so he could rebuild his community with government support (Nehemiah 1). He also placed Esther as queen in Persia (see the book of Esther) and Deborah as judge in Israel to accomplish His agenda (Judges 4–5). While the government is never to be looked to in order to solve all of the existing problems, politics and governments were established to at a minimum address the needs of those governed.
REFLECTION: Since civil government is set up by God’s design and important to Him, can we see it as unimportant to Christians? Those in leadership over us have a big responsibility to us. What is our responsibility to them? Think of the people in leadership positions over your city, state, and country. Pray for them. Lord, thank You for those You have raised up to be Your representatives in the political arena, God. Bless them and their families as they serve You in this area of life.
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