“On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” Revelation 19:16 (ESV)
For my next birthday, my husband says he’s going to get me a big wooden box. One with the words “SOAP” printed on the side.
I might need it. If I read about politics for any length of time, I can become opinionated. Indignant even. And if I get going, I can deliver a long oration about what’s wrong with the world, starting with crooked politicians.
When I get upset about the political landscape, I have to remind myself that God is in control. He rules over kings, presidents, legislators, and governors. He is King of kings and Lord of lords.
But a lot of our leaders seem to be Nebuchadnezzars—-rash, self-serving, abusing their power. Are there no Daniels?
In the book of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar had a disturbing dream, and when none of his magicians could interpret his dream, he became furious and ordered the execution of all the wise men in the country. All of them!
But Daniel 2:14 says that Daniel spoke to the king with “wisdom and tact.” Daniel then asked God to provide the interpretation, and he, Daniel, was able to tell the king the meaning of his dream.
Afterwards Nebuchadnezzar paid homage to Daniel, but more importantly, he recognized Daniel’s God as the One who is above all gods and ruler over all kings.
The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.” Daniel 2:47 (ESV)
Unfortunately, Nebuchadnezzar was still egotistical and power-hungry, and God had to humble him by causing him to lose his sanity and “eat grass like cattle.” (Read Daniel Chapter 4) Nebuchadnezzar was finally humbled and acknowledged God as the Most High.
God allows kings and rulers to reign, but some of them are evil. It makes us ask, “Why, God? Why do you allow this?”
Sometimes it’s a case of you-get-what-you-ask-for. The Israelites thought they should have a king because the other nations had kings. God warned them, but ultimately he gave them what they wanted. They got King Saul, tall and good looking, but lacking in leadership.
In the Old Testament, God sometimes allowed terrible kings from foreign nations to bring about judgment on his rebellious people.
However, God doesn’t always explain why he allows certain corrupt leaders to have authority over us. But he instructs us to pray for our leaders and to submit to their authority. We follow the laws of the land unless they are in opposition to God’s laws.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. Romans 13:1-7 (ESV)
I have been praying for government leaders, but lately I’ve also been praying for the Daniels behind the scenes who advise our leaders, that they would be bold and wise and tactful.
It’s time to get off my soapbox and on my knees before the true King of kings and Lord of lords.
Father, we rest in the assurance that you are sovereign, and nothing can happen unless you allow it. Help us make good choices at the polls. Give us wise, compassionate, humble yet strong leaders who will be on their knees before you. Give wisdom to those who must make decisions that affect us. Forgive our sins as a people, as a nation, as a world of people created in your image who often rebel against your authority. Raise up Daniels to advise our government officials with tact and respect. Heal our land.
We can exercise our freedom to vote and try to make good choices (sometimes voting for the lesser of two evils.)
We’re instructed to pray for our leaders.
We can also pray that God would raise up Daniels who would advise our leaders with wisdom and tact.
We can pray for God’s mercy on our nation, confessing the sins of our nation—-not by pointing the finger at Those Other People Who Sin, but by realizing we each bear responsibility and suffer the consequences of the collective sin of our countrymen.
If you’re disillusioned with government officials, remember….
God is the King of kings and Lord of lords.
photo by Marcus Spiske on Unsplash