Chris' Corner -- Sunday, January 31, 2021
We should not grow weary in scriptures that may seem repetitious in dealing with current events that are the minds of so many these days.
The Lord knew governments and rulers would come and go. Some would be good, some would not. Some would rule more righteously than others. Some would be outright evil. For whatever purpose God has in mind for how long a particular government remains in power, is not known to us. Regardless, good or bad, God commands we pray for those in authority and be good citizens wherever we live. What leaders do or don’t do, does not determine whether or not we pray for them. We lift up our voices to God for all.
God’s people should take heed to the following words from God our Father and Ruler of the universe.
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
“Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17).
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God” (Romans 13:1).
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Government authorities should take heed to the following words from the Sovereign Ruler of all people.
“And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding” (Daniel 2:21).
“Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling” (Psalms 2:10-11).
“Where there is no counsel (wise guidance—ASV), the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety”
(Proverbs 11:14). “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2).
“This decision is by the decree of the watchers, And the sentence by the word of the holy ones, In order that the living may know That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, And sets over it the lowest of men” (Daniel 4:17).
“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Proverbs 21:1).
“He makes nations great, and destroys them; He enlarges nations, and guides them. He takes away the understanding of the chiefs of the people of the earth, And makes them wander in a pathless wilderness” (Job 12:23-25).
We need to be very diligent in our efforts to pray daily for ourselves and for our nation. Great evils have been brewing in our country for a long time, but now they have been unleashed to have free course. Take to heart the encouragement God gave to Joshua. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
The Lord wants us to be faithful, informed, and thoughtful, when speaking to those who are ignorant of the truth and blinded by evil and corruption.
“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:24–26).
Comentarios