The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5 NIV)
God, our nation is a mess right now. So much disorder and chaos; so much unrighteousness.
And so many good and godly people, my Child. Remember that when the darkness seems most prevalent, your Light shines most brightly.
Ok. So, what about the presidential debate last Thursday night? That seems to have spawned a whole new level of chaos.
Child, you cannot see the overarching ways in which I am working. Trust me. This chaos will be used by me for MY plans and purposes.
Well, ok. (pause) God, I was trying to catch up on my Bible reading and work through the Proverbs this week.
Wonderful! There’s lots of good wisdom there.
Yes, there is, but sometimes it seems like the writer(s) just took a whole bunch of ideas and wrote them down willy-nilly — like a bowl of spaghetti tossed at the wall to see what would stick.
Dear One, spaghetti wasn’t invented yet in Bible times.
Uh, yes. But why would you put such an unorganized book into the Bible? There’s proverbs about finances and relationships and marriages and leadership and words and all sorts of other things just slapped down on the page.
What would happen if you could just easily read and focus on, for instance, only the proverbs about money and wealth? Would you then ignore my counsel on leadership or the nations or your words or your relationships?
Good point. By having to search for one subject I have to read all the others.
Yes. If you lived out all my proverbs in only one area, the other areas of your life would be weak at best, and probably ungodly.
Sorry, God. I know you have a plan. I didn’t mean to complain.
It’s ok. What did you find recently? I think you were looking for proverbs on the nation and leadership, right? Something that helps speak to the day and age you live in?
Yes, I was finishing reading the entire book and found these from chapters 28-31:
- A rebellious nation is thrown into chaos, but leaders anointed with wisdom will restore law and order.
- Those who turn their backs on what they know is right will no longer be able to tell right from wrong. But those who love the truth strengthen their souls.
- Justice never makes sense to men devoted to darkness, but those tenderly devoted to the Lord can understand it perfectly.
- Those who tempt the lovers of God with an evil scheme will fall into their own traps. But the innocent who resist temptation will experience reward.
- The triumphant joy of God’s lovers releases great glory. But when the wicked rise to power, everyone goes into hiding.
- Overjoyed is the one who with tender heart trembles before God, but the stubborn, unyielding heart will experience even greater evil.
- Ruthless rulers can only be compared to raging lions and roaming bears.
- Abusive leaders fail to employ wisdom, but leaders who despise corruption will enjoy a long and full life.
- Life’s blessings drench the honest and faithful person, but punishment rains down upon the greedy and dishonest.
- When wicked leaders rise to power, good people go into hiding. But when they fall from power, the godly take their place.
- Everyone rejoices when the lovers of God flourish, but the people groan when the wicked rise to power.
- A godly leader who values justice is a great strength and example to the people. But the one who sells his influence for money tears down what is right.
- When the wicked are in power, lawlessness abounds. But the patient lovers of God will one day watch in triumph as their stronghold topples!
- Lift yourself up with pride and you will soon be brought low, but a meek and humble spirit will add to your honor.
- Be a king who speaks up on behalf of the disenfranchised and pleads for the legal rights of the defenseless and those who are dying.
- Be a righteous king, judging on behalf of the poor and interceding for those most in need. *
Those proverbs are really good ones. They give great wisdom to those who are in leadership.
Yes, if those leaders will listen.
Touché, my Child. Remember that the enemy of your soul has blinded their spiritual eyes and ears and hearts to the things of my Kingdom. Some leaders are simply power hungry and will do anything do maintain their status and power. Others genuinely believe they are on the best side of things. But, just like the proverbs spoke, there is only one “side” to be on – MINE. Be on the side of righteousness, not evil. When the leaders live in humility according to MY laws, MY righteousness, MY justice, and MY compassion, then the people flourish. There’s no other option that will be long lasting.
Yeah, I don’t feel much like we are flourishing right now. It seems that only wickedness is flourishing.
Remember, Child, that my ways and thoughts are much higher than yours. Remember that my eyes search the earth for those who will come to me with humble hearts and be my children. Remember that I am working things for good, even when you can’t see or know or understand.
(sigh) I know, God. You have a plan for a future with hope.
Yes! Don’t let your hope die! You may not yet see, but I can see the places where my Spirit is causing repentance, revival, and even the beginnings of reformation. Your society is a mess on many, many levels, but keep hoping, believing, and – most importantly – praying for godly changes. Remember, that it starts with my people. If MY people – those called by MY name – humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and intercede for their nation, I will – not “I might,” but “I WILL” – hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their land. This promise doesn’t depend on what wicked people do, but what my precious and righteous ones do. If you pray, I will hear and I will act. You stay in a place of humble intercession for the leaders. You continue to study my Word and to absorb all that I am saying to you. Be Light in this world. And let me be God. I am just. I am holy. I AM.
I AM,
Thank you for the guidance and reassurance in your Word. Thank you that you are working things out for our good, even when we can’t see it. Help us to trust you more deeply, especially when our world seems to be devolving more deeply into chaos. Help us pray fervently and humbly for our nation and world. Forgive our sins and heal our land, we pray in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
*Proverbs 28:2, 4, 5, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 20, 28 TPT
Proverbs 29:2, 4, 16, 23 TPT
Proverbs 31:8, 9 TPT
The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people he chose for his inheritance. (Psalm 33:10-12 NIV)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV)
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV)
In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV)