Pastor's Ponderings, July 18, 2016

It Is Time For Choosing God’s Wisdom

Our Congress has slipped to 11% approval ratings. The leading candidates for President have historically high unfavorable ratings, which would have cast them aside in the past. However, they are actually winning with the voting population. Alexander Mancel wrote, “Facts don’t matter when it comes to politics according to a new scientific study.” Is it possible that God is giving us the leaders that we wanted, but not what He wanted?  What happens when we have righteous leaders?  The Bible says the people rejoice (Proverbs 29:2). 

In the Bible, the children of Israel wanted to be like every other nation and have an earthly king that they could see.  But they had been chosen by God to bring forth Jesus, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords (1 Timothy 6:15). It was not enough for them to recognize God and His laws.  They wanted a king to lead them like all of the other nations.  God told His prophet Samuel that they were not rejecting him but they were rejecting the source of everything, God Himself (1 Chronicles 29:14, 1 Samuel 8:5-7).

Thank God for our political process, but I believe that God wants those who love the Lord to really pray that God would give us leaders who are concerned about God’s commandments and would lead us with knowledge and understanding (Jeremiah 3:15). If there ever was a time to pray for those in authority and that God would influence the heart of our leaders and give them His wisdom, I believe that time is now.

We desperately need God’s wisdom about choosing our leaders.  He said He would give it to us generously and would not blame us or rebuke us for asking Him (James 1:5).  Let us not forget to pray for God’s wisdom for leaders during this crucial time.

Proverbs 29:2
King James Version (KJV)

2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

1 Timothy 6:15
New International Version (NIV)

15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

1 Chronicles 29:14
New International Version (NIV)

14 … Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

1 Samuel 8:5-7
New International Version (NIV)

5 They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”

6 But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord.
7 And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.

Jeremiah 3:15
New International Version (NIV)

15 Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.

James 1:5
Amplified Bible (AMP)

5 If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.