Government
Government was created by God. He set up King Saul and appointed King David. Jesus Himself is the King of kings. God is a God of Justice. He loves righteousness and hates wickedness. He tells us to pray, “Your kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven.” Government is one of the ways He blesses and judges nations.
When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.” Prov 29:2
Throughout the Bible, we see evidence of this. God used Joseph (in Egypt) to speak with Pharaoh, interpreting his dreams, and ultimately saving multiple nations! God prepared and placed Joseph into this government role for a specific task. Daniel serving pagan kings, continually offered God’s wisdom in the inner courts. The same is true today.
There are Josephs and Daniels among us who God is training and preparing for leadership roles in our government. We, as the body of Christ, need to encourage the godly to step into authority. When they do, “the people rejoice”—not just believers, but the masses of people. Joseph and Daniel didn’t just save and protect the godly. God used them to protect even the wicked. Their lives were powerfully used in government. To a Christian, the government will never establish a utopian society. Government is designed to protect and preserve peace. It should be rooted in Christian laws which are based in Christian ethics. We should participate with the same faithfulness to God as we do in any other area of life. As believers, we know Jesus is in ultimate power and government rests upon His shoulders; and yet while we live in this world, He calls us to interact with it, and follow His voice through the challenges. We are to always keep in perspective that God is God and the government is government.
Joseph and Daniel didn’t just save and protect the godly.
To a Christian, the government will never establish a utopian society.
Much of the world believes governmental power is the best way to impact change. The reality is that God’s ways are much different than the world’s ways.
Those in power do not have as much power as they would think.
Jesus said to Pilate:
“You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above” (John 19:11).
A believers, we work under the authority of God and His kingdom. We are salt and light wherever He positions us, whether it be working in the government like Joseph and Daniel, or working at home raising the next Joseph or Daniel.