“Is there a word from the Lord?”
Jeremiah 37:17b
In the times of the prophet Jeremiah's imprisonment, though he had often attempted to make the authorities understand God's will, these wicked people would reject the word and do as they pleased. And yet, ironically, the king would secretly send for a word from God. In that time the news the king got from The Lord through Jeremiah was not good.
I think about this historical record and it conjures up a picture of our own wicked leaders. I can see them in their chambers, they're scheming against the freedoms of the people and at the same time they call upon The Lord in corporate prayer.
Do you think these prayers are sincere?
I don't think so. The fruit that comes from it speaks to it sincerity.
If these people were in the wilderness like Jesus was when he was tempted by Satan, I can't imagine these corrupt leaders would have resisted Satan for very long. These people operate on the assumption that you can play now and pay later. God comes later, but for now we get what we can out of the situation. As we learn from the experience of Jeremiah, the leaders gave lip service to God, but they didn't live it. They didn't treasure God's word in their hearts.
Psalm 119:11
"I have treasured your word in my heart
so that I may not sin against you."
You know...I think for a lot of people, they think God is stupid. I mean to say, because God is invisible they get to thinking he's unaware. He's not really overly concerned about how the people conduct themselves from day to day. If that were really true, the Bible would be a short trifold flyer at best. Everything in the Bible is written to explain God's will regarding the world and the ways of mankind. Every word is a relational conversation that's intended to bring the people into a better understanding of God's goodness and/or wrath. If the way the people deal with this reality is to make insincere statements, practices and prayers, is it any wonder the government is so damn weak.
The government asks from hand selected religious leaders, "is there a word from The Lord?" And the answer they get from their false prophets are lies and propaganda. They hang on every word convinced they are doing the righteous things. The unholy spirits they ask of are not in communion with the Holy Spirit, and the words they speak are consumed with the spirit of the age. These prophets are lobbyists for the state.
The state church exists, even if our constitution doesn't allow for it. It's a largely secular political propaganda institution within the government chambers. It's priests put on the church like a cloak when it's convenient, and they set it aside when it's inconvenient. This isn't unique today, throughout the history of the church these things have existed. Temptations and vanities worm their ways into every aspect of the game of thrones. They whisper the things the leaders want to hear and wield their own sort of power and influence from behind the throne. Charisma outpaces character.
Ultimately it's our own fault. Are we choosing leaders who are striving for the next viral soundbite instead of those who humble themselves? Fact of the matter is, we allowing sin to slide, in favor of the next viral social media trend.
What's to be done about this?
The situation:
"When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan." Proverbs 29:2
"They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved." 2 Peter 2:19
The solution:
"Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29
Now...how yhst happens?
Let us pray.
Father, we bring the needs of our government before You and ask You to bless our nation through godly leaders. I magnify the Name of Jesus and declare that He is our Lord over this nation. Lord, intercede with Your righteousness as we give thanks for our leaders and all the people in authority that you have appointed. Lord we are praying for godly leaders who are productive toward God’s plan and purpose for our nation. The Bible says the heart of a king is in the hand of the Lord. We trust therefore in Your providence and intercession. We pray this in faith, believing, and remembering that God watches over His Word to perform it.
Amen