In our state and many others this coming Tuesday brings primary elections for governmental offices. Some thoughts from my book and then a prayer:
The writer of Proverbs says:
“The words of a king are like a message from God,
so his decisions should be fair.
The Lord wants honest balances and scales;
all the weights are his work.
Kings hate those who do wrong,
because governments only continue if they are fair.
Kings like honest people;
they value someone who speaks the truth.” (Proverbs 16:10-13 NCV)
A king – or government official, in our case – should make fair decisions, use honesty, hate wrong, and value truth.
“It’s obvious to all; you will have nothing to do with corrupt rulers who pass laws that empower evil and defeat what is right. For they gang up against the lovers of righteousness and condemn the innocent to death. But I know that all their evil plans will boomerang back onto them. Every plot they hatch will simply seal their own doom. For you, my God, you will destroy them, giving them what they deserve. For you are my true tower of strength, my safe place, my hideout, and my true shelter.” (Psalm 94:20-23 TPT)
If you know any history at all, you know that there has been evil in governments at various places and times. Human nature in positions of power often (not always!) ends up committing evil deeds. And, we can acknowledge that there are many godly men and women in places of influence and leadership. There are godly teachers and administrators in schools. There are men and women of honor and integrity who wear a badge and daily protect and serve their communities. A man from our church recently ran for political office for the first time – and won a seat on the county commission! What if every school board – every county board – every library board – every state and federal legislature seat was filled with Word-filled and Spirit-guided Jesus-followers? How could our world look different?
America’s first U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice, John Jay, said, “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers. It’s the duty as well as the privilege of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” Pastor Dutch Sheets wrote, “It is imperative that we have God-fearing leadership in office from the local to the federal level. We need godly city council members, school board members, county commissioners, and judges. We need Christians in our state houses and senates. We, of course, need Christian Governors, Lieutenant Governors, and Attorneys General. We need those filling these positions to be men and women of prayer and character.”*
The writer of Proverbs says:
“It is repulsive [to God and man] for [governmental leaders] to behave wickedly,
For a throne is established on righteousness (right standing with God).”
(Proverbs 16:12 AMP, alt.)
Righteous God,
We come before you interceding for our nation and her leadership at all governmental levels. Next Tuesday’s primary elections are very important and we ask your Spirit to pour out on the voters. Cause your choices of men and women to be voted into every office from the townships to the states. We pray that our government leaders would not behave wickedly, but with righteousness.We ask in Christ’s name, Amen.
*Dutch Sheets, “Having the Right Leaders is Crucial,” blog post 3/2/21 (https://www.givehim15.com/amp/march-2-2021)