1 Kings 22:51-53 (MSG) Ahaziah son of Ahab became king over Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah. He ruled Israel for two years. As far as God was concerned, he lived an evil life, reproducing the bad life of his father and mother, repeating the pattern set down by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who led Israel into a life of sin. Worshiping at the Baal shrines, he made God, the God of Israel, angry, oh, so angry. If anything, he was worse than his father.
2 Kings 3:1-3 (MSG) Joram son of Ahab began his rule over Israel in Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah. He was king for twelve years. In God’s sight he was a bad king. But he wasn’t as bad as his father and mother—to his credit he destroyed the obscene Baal stone that his father had made. But he hung on to the sinful practices of Jeroboam son of Nebat, the ones that had corrupted Israel for so long. He wasn’t about to give them up.
Daniel 2:20-22 (MSG). “Blessed be the name of God, forever and ever. He knows all, does all: He changes the seasons and guides history. He raises up kings and also brings them down. He provides both intelligence and discernment. He opens up the depths, tells secrets, sees in the dark—light spills out of Him!”
Observation
The recurring question in my mind is why God would allow all these bad kings in succession. He has the power to anoint and appoint any ruler He chooses. God could have raised up good kings. Why didn’t He? Is this a case of reaping what you sow – people who have deserted God being ruled by those like them? Or the result of people feeling helpless/powerless to bring about change so they disengage? Or a result of the weight of culture (“everyone is doing it”) outweighing courage to stand up for what is right and God-honoring?
There must have been righteous and innocent people in Israel and Judah because the worship and training in godliness survived even these dark times. There was a good king here and there as evidence. Some people were keeping the faith, teaching their children the truth and choosing to honor God in the face of opposition. These regular everyday faithful people are the unsung heroes here – the ones who faithfully, consistently and purposefully lived Godly lives despite pressure, persecution, injustice and ridicule.
Impact on Me
I listen to people complain in anger and frustration about those who rule over us – whether in disagreement with party policies and personalities, the inefficiencies and wastefulness of government or about corruption. God has not given up His authority to anoint and appoint rulers. Perhaps we should ask ourselves the questions above. Are we reaping what we sow as a people who have forgotten, abandoned or diluted God? Do we feel helpless/powerless to bring about change and have therefore disengaged from the process? Have we lost faith that there are good rulers who honor God and the people they serve? Have we surrendered to culture and lack the courage to stand up for what is right because we see the cost as too great? Are we willing to forgo blessings, profits, visible victories and trust that God is still in control if it serves God’s purpose to have us suffer the same consequences as the wicked and faithless?
I admit that every new exposure of power-hungry manipulation, lawlessness, and fraud, deception or misconduct perpetrated by a politician, government agency or individual taking advantage of the system adds another stone to the pile that can seem mountainous and overwhelming. Jesus faced the same – an oppressive Roman rule and rigid religious one – and died to allow us to choose Him as King. So, despite what it may look like in my life and circumstances – or yours, God is still God Who can change circumstances, situations and government and its rulers in an instant. Paul commanded us to pray for our leaders without qualifying whether they are good or bad – that is not really for me to judge anyway – because as we pray, the Holy Spirit can work to change their hearts and the way they rule on this earth. I just need to remember that I am only an ambassador here and first a citizen of the Kingdom of God. I need to live in a way under this earthly government that makes others want to change their eternal citizenship.
Prayer
Father God, You are all-powerful, all-knowing, and working the same eternal plan since the beginning of our time. You do not owe me an explanation for the government, condition and circumstances under which You have assigned me to serve as ambassador of Heaven. I am where I am to hear and obey You in representing and revealing Jesus in and through my life. Lord, don’t let me forget the true purpose of my life is not to walk in blessing, but rather to walk in obedience letting You count the cost to me and the benefit to Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Pressing On In His Footsteps 