Trust the God of Politics
Rather than look at the Bible's precepts for submission to civil government, it is helpful to recall the persons involved and how God reversed many political situations for the benefit of His children, just as He has for us and will for us.
Politics = Civil Rulers = Government = General Election = Protests = Decay of America
Introduction:
- Troubling times … most troubling is that Christians are troubled … let’s not be troubled.
- Let not your heart be troubled, even at the greatest political violence ever (Jn 14:1-3).
- Jesus the Son of God is the Blessed and Only Potentate of all (I Tim 6:13-16; Rev 1:5).
- We see, read, and hear more injustice than previously, but we have an answer (Ec 5:8).
- Politics is part of God’s chess game on planet earth, raising up and putting down rulers and nations (Dan 2:21; 4:17; Acts 17:26); we are His children – We win! We inherit!
- Let’s consider it Personally … not Preceptively, nor Philosophically, nor Providentially.
- Let’s shorten and simplify a few Bible stories to help individuals to trust Zion’s King.
- God’s care for us is personal (and passionate and perpetual); fear or faith are both at the personal level, for fear or faith can exist in the same family or even in the same person.
- These Bible persons, relatives, and friends were at times afraid, discouraged, and even hopeless, but God delivered His children and accomplished good through political evil.
- Have perfect faith and hope in God at this time before the general election in eight days.
- God is totally in charge of all aspects of America and all nations, large and small.
- We have been here before waiting for election results, and He worked it for good.
- We have a better president than most times in our history. How did this ever happen?
- We live in one of the better parts of the United States, Greenville of South Carolina.
- The little events thrown at you by the information explosion are irrelevant in history.
- Ancient brethren had real reason for fear, like martyrdom, but they were very bold.
- We know that the worst outcome, national overthrow and death, is actually the best!
ABRAHAM
Was forced to go to Egypt to survive and was afraid for Sarah and himself (Gen 12:10-13); forget his tactic to stress the lesson; God protected and rewarded (Gen 12:16-20; 13:1-2)!
A confederation of nations took his beloved nephew Lot, but Abraham brought all back by God blessing him and his Canaanite confederates, and he had a meeting with Melchisedec.
Went to the Philistines and was forced to the same tactic as in Egypt (Gen 20:1-2); forget his tactic to stress the lesson; God protected and rewarded him there also (Gen 20:3-18)!
When the cultural and national situation was so bad there were not God-fearing women for his son Isaac, one of the greatest love stories occurred by God blessing him with Rebekah.
ISAAC
Isaac tried the same thing as Abraham in the land of the Philistines (Gen 26:1,6-7); forget his tactic to stress the lesson; God protected and rewarded him also (Gen 26:8-14)!
Do you believe Psalm 105:12-15?
JOSEPH
Harmed by brothers, Potiphar, prison, and Pharaoh for the end of saving the church of God.
ISRAELITES
Systemic racism (Egyptians hated Hebrews) against the Jews cost Egyptians everything!
Had to live in the land of Canaan with enemies all around, but God managed enemy lusts.
CANAANITES
Deborah mocked the loss of mothers and widows of Sisera’s army for all (Judges 5:28-31).
DAVID
David’s Psalms tell how persecuted and discouraged he was at times by political enemies.
Saul chased him for years; David always escaped, with tokens of good, and took the throne.
Multiple nations were involved in the Ziklag event, but David came forth better for it all.
Absalom’s long-term conspiracy ended with Absalom hanging in a tree for dart practice.
Sedition and treason by another son went nowhere, though David was then on his deathbed.
God gave the name and throne of this politically-persecuted man to His Son Jesus Christ.
DANIEL
Captive Daniel was castrated and hated in Babylon, but what a glorious career he had there!
Daniel’s grief at colleagues seeking to destroy him was answered by God’s awakened lions.
Daniel had some of the best revelations in the O.T. during roles under successive empires.
ESTHER
Esther was scared to be taken into Ahasuerus’s harem, but she became queen to save her people from genocide and assist Nehemiah; Mordecai saw her intimate role (Esther 4:14).
CRUCIFIXION
The most horrible political event of all time was predestinated by God in detail and resulted in the greatest good of all time (Acts 4:25-28; 2:22-24). What else do you need to know?
NEW TESTAMENT
Jewish persecution sent preachers far away for Gentile crowds (Acts 8:1,4-5 cp 11:19-21)!
Roman persecution took the life of James, but Peter escaped and Herod did not (Acts 12). A prayer meeting saved Peter from prison and execution.
Systemic racism drove Aquila and Priscilla out of Rome (Acts 18:2-3,24-28) for Paul, Apollos, churches, Rome, and more (Rom 16:3-5).
Religious hatred of Jews for Paul was overthrown by God by a nephew and Roman law (Acts 23:16; 25:9-12). Religious hatred of Jews for Paul got him free transport to Rome!
Paul was allowed/provided a rental home in Rome for preaching without limitation (Acts 28:30-31), from which he converted some in Caesar’s household (Phil 4:22).
John was in the isle of Patmos, banished there for preaching (Rev 1:9). Was he alone? Not a chance! He experienced and accomplished great things there for our continued benefit.
The Romans destroyed Judea and Jerusalem, including the temple, which brought to an end the time of reformation and gave relief to the Christians in the area persecuted by Jews.
When God allowed pagan and papal Rome to kill many Christians, God gave them great grace to not merely endure the pain and death, but to gladly submit (Rev 12:11; Heb 11:35).
God commanded His people to pray for pagan captors like Babylon (Jer 29:4-7), no matter how bad the enemy or how strong the enemy, for (1) He brings all the winds of political trouble, (2) we can live productive and pleasant lives trusting Him, (3) we should seek the public good no matter the situation, and (4) peace for a pagan nation is peace for us.
Quiet and peaceable lives are by praying for rulers, no matter how pagan (I Tim 2:1-3).
The most important political activity and powerful activism for you is to live righteously.
The most important polling place and powerful voting booth is your prayer closet. Period.
The most important political manual and most valuable insider information is the Bible