How do we live in a world that is teetering on the edge of destruction, where laws and leaders oppose the very values we hold to in Christian faith? Surely our response is to rise in opposition, vocal in voice and demonstrative in action? Surely we cannot allow our silence to communicate a message of acceptance? Our confidence in our defiance will undoubtedly shake the foundations of statute in our nation and cause ungodly leaders to repent and rescind. Or not.
Those with an eye to the Biblical narrative will remember there are times when the world is in in a state of disarray and disorder. And yet, with a close eye to the detail and a wider perspective to the redemptive heart of God, a believer will take confidence, not from their action in the moment of struggle, but in the character of the God they profess to believe in.
God uses pagan rulers to bring about His purposes for the earth.
God uses pagan rulers, often unbelieving (but not always), sometimes destructive (and yet others constructive), to bring about His purposes for the earth. Pharaoh believed in many gods and yet proclaimed faith in the One True God (Gen 41:37-41). The Lord’s servant, Joseph, did not rise to usurp Pharaoh’s global domination and one-world government, instead to ensure God’s redemptive plan for His people through their famine (Gen 50:20) and, ultimately, their slavery (Ex 2:23-25).
Think of the destruction brought upon Jerusalem and Mount Zion, the chosen, sacred dwelling place of God among His people (2 Kings 25:1-6). The temple was burned to the ground and King Zedekiah’s eyes removed with a stick. Yet out of this exile God raised significant voices for the ages to come. Captives became prophets who became servants of us all, giving insight into the future victory we will see for eternity. Invading conqueror, Nebuchadnezzar, was pertinacious in opposing God’s law (Dan 3:1-6) but was eventually humbled; praising, exalting and glorifying the King of heaven (Dan 4:37).
While in exile, unable to worship God as commanded, His people were encouraged by the prophet Jeremiah to pray for and invest in the prosperity of their captors (Jer 29:4-7).
Under the rule of a pagan King, Cyrus, God’s servants were redeemed and provisioned for the rebuilding of God’s temple. Famously known as the ‘Cyrus Decree’ (Ezra 1:1-4), provision was made and the people empowered “in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah.” God used a pagan King and his wealth to demonstrate the faithfulness of God to His Word and His people.
King Xerxes ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to the Mediterranean Sea (478.B.C). Close to the King’s ear was a wicked, evil Administrator intent on removing the Jewish people from the earth. The providence of God saturates the story of Queen Esther who chose to accept the position of influence granted to her (Esther 4:15-16). Even when God seems absent, He is at work to preserve His Name through the narrative of His people (Rom 8:28). And for Haman, we see when proud people oppose God’s people they bring about their own destruction.
When news of the birth of the Saviour of the World reached Herod Magnus, ruler in Israel, he dispatched mercenaries to Bethlehem to kill all young boys in the region (Matt 2:16), adamant he would surrender his throne to no one. The Lord moved sovereignly to send Jesus to Egypt where he lived in safety until the evil king was dead.
Evil father breeds evil son, and Herod Antipas gave the order for John the Baptist’s head to be brought on a plate to his step-daughter (Mark 6:27-28). Clearly tragic and grievous to God the Son , yet none of these heinous actions of Herods Magnus and Antipas were in any way successful in deviating the mission of the Messiah.
Jesus Christ did not come at this time to rule and reign on a throne made by men.
Jesus Christ did not come at this time to rule and reign on a throne made by men, instead steadfast and diligent in serving the lost sheep of Israel. Even when the people desired to crown Him, He preferred to go to the grave.
Facing Pontius Pilate, with spittle on His forehead and blood-crust shutting His eyes, infection in His decimated skin from the scourging of the soldiers, and a man-made crown of thorns mocking Him, Jesus was resolute. The solitary sentence of our Saviour should be enough to calm every storm in any economic, political or health pandemic. “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” (John 19:11)
Of course, we must not forget God is swift and powerful to remove leaders when He desires. It would appear, from scripture, that God his more inclined to remove those who mis-represent Him rather than oppose Him. King Baasha was cursed by the Prophet of the Lord (1 Kings 16:1-4) and died. Ahaziah sought encouragement from the prophets of Baal and did not live long after (2 Kings 1:3-4). King Jehoram had his intestines fall out! (2 Chronicles 21:18-19) King Ahab was the most wicked king in the history of Israel and “did more to anger the Lord God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him.” (1 Kings 16:33) Eli the Priest ignored the sins of his sons, Phinehas and Hophni, and they all paid the price at the hand of God (1 Samuel 2:12, 2:30-32, 4:17-18). Perhaps we should accept the Lord is able to remove those whom He wishes and works through those He allows to remain.
God is more inclined to remove those who mis-represent Him rather than those who oppose Him.
In all situations our faith-filled response should be to seek the will of the Father of All, humbly obedient and prayerful in action. We cannot affect change without influence, as Joseph, Daniel and Esther show us. We cannot fully comprehend the plans of God, even with hindsight gleaned from the canon of scripture. We cannot change the hearts of rulers, that privilege reserved for only a few. So what must our obedient action be?
Like Abraham standing on the ridge-line above Sodom, we can intercede (Gen 18:22). To intercede is to stand in the gap on behalf of, but may not require our direct interaction with the focus of our intercession. To intercede is to commune and communicate with the Sovereign One Who is in control, seeking His heart in all matters. May we have the confidence of Abraham, who settled his heart in trust of the One he served; “Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Gen 18:25)
Jesus did not come to displace government but instead use them for His Father’s purposes. Imagine if the request of the ‘Sons of Thunder’ had been granted (Luke 9:54) and the opponents of The Way destroyed — would the Lamb of God have been sacrificed? Consider the possibility that your prayers to remove (or appoint) Government leaders may well be working against the purposes of God. Take Peter, for example (Matt 16:22-23).
The apostle Paul wrote letters of encouragement to his spiritual son, Timothy, who was doing his best to lead the church in Ephesus, a riotous city filled with public orgies, child-prostitution and worship of the stature of the Greek god, Diana. Paul reminds his young protege to always pray for those in governing authority as it pleases God for us to do so. We should not miss the benefit for ourselves, which Paul states is “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Tim 2:1-4)
Five years earlier, Paul had written to the church in Rome and given similar instructions. (Remember, this instruction is given to the church residing in the most powerful city in the world, ruling every corner of the globe, insisting on one-world government, one currency and worship of the Caesar.) In speaking of the consecration and conduct of the believer’s life, Paul exhorts us to conduct ourselves in love and humility, living in subject to governing authorities. Why? Paul states, “there is no authority except that which God has established.” (Rom 13:1-2) As if he reads your mind as you object with a “Yes, but,” Paul adds, “The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” That’s a clear point, thank you Paul.
“The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”
Romans 13:1-2
In his letter to the church in Colosse, Paul speaks of the ‘Supremacy of the Son of God’, which we would not argue with. We read and accept in faith that all things were created through Jesus — all things on earth, visible and invisible. Paul takes care to ensure we note this includes thrones, powers, rulers and authorities (Col 1:15-16). The exclamation point to this truth being this: “all things have been created through Him and for Him.” From this we can be assured that all governing leaders will serve the ultimate purpose of Christ, whether we understand their actions or not.
King Solomon’s words may ease our discomfort in troubling times. “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” (Prov 21:1)
Our comfort comes from the knowledge that God is our loving Father who has sovereign rule over all powers, thrones and all authorities. To live in fear is to place our faith in fear, which is idol worship. You can be assured that any person in a leadership position, be it church, community or government, is only there by the grace of God. Any authority granted to individuals or governments is subordinate to God in all instances. And, in this, we should find peace.
Let us, therefore, live in peace with all people. (Rom 12:18, Heb 12:14)