What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8 NIV)
As I write this, there are at least three “hotbeds” of strife in our world that are making the news. The protests in Iran, which I wrote about last week, continue, and it looks like the current government may be removed. Venezuela’s not-quite-legitimate ruler was taken from the country to face criminal drug charges in the U.S. Minneapolis is rioting once again after fraud and violence rear their ugly heads. On one hand, all these look like more of the same – anger, political posturing, talking heads and lying lips ginning up support for victims (real or imagined), and a continued escalation of rhetoric and violence. When historians write about the 2020’s they will have lots to cover.
But what if this week’s chapter of upheaval and chaos is a fulfillment of God’s justice?
I am by no means an expert in law, international affairs, politics, or economics, so I understand that my perspective on current events is limited. And I do understand that, at least in the U.S., a person is to be considered innocent until proven guilty through a (hopefully) careful and just legal process.
But I also know that leaders should have integrity, respect for the law, and a desire to genuinely help the people they are to lead. A president, supreme leader, governor, or others who are in roles designed to help the nation should be removed, hopefully by free and fair elections, when their actions hurt the nation. No matter the political party, religion, popularity, or influence, if someone is not “following justice and justice alone” but is instead “perverting justice and showing partiality,” (Deuteronomy 16:19-20), they should be removed.
God is pretty straightforward on this issue.
Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves… You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick. (Ezekiel 34:2–4 NIV)
Woe to those who make unjust laws… depriving the poor of their rights. (Isaiah 10:1–2 NIV)
Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. (Jeremiah 22:3 NIV)
And now, you priests, this warning is for you… If you do not honor my name… I will send a curse on you. (Malachi 2:1–2 NIV)
I don’t think God is messing around. He expects people in places of leadership and influence to do good, love mercy, be just, and to walk humbly with him. If they don’t do these things – and their hearts are too hard to repent – then they should be removed. That removal may be by actions that humans take, or supernatural intervention like a heart attack. Of course, not all removals in history have been designed by God, but IF these are from God, they are just, righteous, and within his purpose and plan. So, let us pray for God’s justice to be upon each of these situations so that the people have righteous leaders.
El Shaddai,
We look forward to the return of Jesus, whose Kingdom on earth will be marked by perfect mercy, justice, righteousness, and peace. Until that day, we ask for more of your Holy Spirit so that we may be faithful citizens of this world—people with discernment about the news of our time, and hearts that remain tender and willing to pray for those affected by injustice and violence.
Today we come before you, asking for your intervention in Venezuela, Iran, and Minneapolis. We approach you humbly, acknowledging that we do not fully understand these situations, but you do. We pray that all people would have the physical, emotional, and spiritual resources they need to live and flourish. We bind all spirits of anger and violence in these places, and we release spirits of grace and peace instead.
We pray that leaders would not pervert justice or show partiality, but would defend the afflicted and pursue justice alone. We ask for the just removal of unjust leaders and for the exposure of fraud, corruption, and every form of injustice. May this be a “January of Justice,” in which your perfect will and purposes are made known and accomplished in these places. In the strong name of Jesus we pray, AMEN.
Endow the king with your justice, O God… He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy. (Psalm 72:1–4 NIV)
Do not pervert justice or show partiality… Follow justice and justice alone. (Deuteronomy 16:19–20 NIV)
It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. (Psalm 75:7 NIV)
Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 18:18 NKJV)