Trusting God and his wisdom over the leaders of this world

In Lifelight Bible Class last Wednesday, January 6, a group of us were speaking about the political unrest in our country during the past year. We had not even gotten home that evening to learn the extent of the troubling events of the day; the rioting, the destruction, and even the death of people in the nation’s Capitol. In my minimal knowledge about what was happening, I shared with those with whom I was speaking that Hezekiah had been an exceptionally good ruler for Judah. He was a man of God! However, Hezekiah’s father Ahaz, had been a horrible, evil ruler, by God’s standards. (See 2 Chronicles 28.) I shared that I am hoping and praying for a Hezekiah.

Then I received a phone call on Friday from friend, Pastor George Rakos. George shared with me, “I’m praying for you, Jonathan, as you write your devotion for next week.” George was assuming that I would write something about the recent unrest in our country. But, the truth is, I try to stay away from sharing political opinions. I do have very definite thoughts on the politics of the day, informed by my faith and by Scripture. But, there is a danger in sharing those opinions. If someone were to hear me, a pastor, stand up for a specific leader or politician, the person listening to me could assume that I think this leader is God’s person. Unfortunately, all leaders and politicians are human. Like the rest of us, our politicians and are weak, and sinful, and make bad choices. I have intentionally refrained from arguing for and defending individual leaders, even if they are following policies with which I agree. You see, when these politicians fail, people can ask, “So, that’s how GOD wants a leader to act?” The bad choices of our leaders are not what God intends. Therefore, I have chosen to speak favorably more about policies which seem to accomplish God’s will, than about individual politicians.

We are in an unusual and troubling time in the history of our country. How DOES a follower of Jesus respond to the events of the day? Personally, I trust God’s wisdom in Scripture about the events of history and the leaders we have. I am using a new devotional book and last Friday my devotions had me reading from Isaiah 40. Right after the chaos in our nation’s capitol I read what God speaks through Isaiah. (I suggest you read Isaiah 40:13-31.) The words of verses 23-24 spoke to me about the politics of today. “23 He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. 24 No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.” This prophecy in Isaiah 40, this word of God, spoke to my mind and heart in the wake of current events. Kings and presidents and leaders will come and go. God is the ultimate Lord of history. Jesus is “the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” (Revelation 19:16)

Then the devotion for the next day included a meditation on The Lord’s Prayer. In the Small Catechism Martin Luther teaches what is included in ‘Daily Bread.” “Daily bread includes everything that has to do with the support and needs of the body, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, land, animals, money, goods, a devout husband or wife, devout children, devout workers, devout and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, self-control, good reputation, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.” Good government is a gift from God! In the prayer for that day’s devotion we prayed, “The bird will trust Thee this day to give its morsel of meat, and the flower will trust Thee for raiment; so may we trust Thee this day for all the needs of the body, the soul, and the spirit. Give us this day our daily bread. Amen.” Yes, Lord, send good leaders!

In the middle of today’s unrest, I trust my Lord for His care in the midst of our national chaos. God has cared for me eternally. The Father sent His Son. Jesus, in the ultimate gift of love, suffered and died to pay the price for my sins, and for the sins of all. Jesus overcame sin and death by rising after His death. Jesus calls all people to receive His love and eternal life through faith in Him. God has given me eternal life and He takes care of me in this world.

Therefore, I will trust the Lord of all, the One who saved me, before I trust the leaders of this world. And I trust the God of love to bring His blessings in the midst of the political chaos of our nation and our world. I am also praying that God will bring a Samuel, or a David, or a Hezekiah for our country.