THE GOVERNMENT WE SO DESPERATELY NEED

June 01, 2020

Governments are designed by God to bring peace and to protect the people they oversee. Human history has shown the dramatic difference between good governments and bad. Unjust leaders and those who lead with righteous judgments. Governments are always dependent upon the character of those who are in positions of leadership … and every human leader is flawed.

A RIGHTEOUS KING

Our great hope is to be governed ultimately by One who is perfectly righteous in every way. Who rises above human pettiness and leads with absolute integrity. One who will bring the justice and righteousness and peace we need.

And, there is such a leader. He came to establish a new government, and it is happening and will be fully established soon.

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;

And the government will rest on His shoulders;

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,

On the throne of David and over his kingdom,

To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness

From then on and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Christ came to rule, not merely give a nice example. His kingdom is different because He is different. He gives a choice to each individual. If they will admit their sin and believe in Him, He will come in to rule in their hearts. He will direct them perfectly. The more they defer to His governance, the more loving and gracious, wise and discerning, humble and righteous they become. The better they lead others. Where they resist His leadership, there is the immediate evidence of their fallen humanity. But as they follow Him, they inherit the true kingdom and all its riches.

For these happy ones who are willing to be governed by Christ, they experience the leadership of the perfect ruler. They have His loving leadership now, but also are equipped to go to an eternal kingdom upon their death, where there is no unrighteousness or inequity for all of eternity.

HIS REIGN

For a season, human governments will have their day. But soon Christ will return in fullness and banish all evil—including the Evil One who has instigated this revolt against God. Then, whether they desire to do so or not, “every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” Until then, each human government will best be served by following His leadership. And each person will find the best life as they install Him as King in their heart.

Sovereign God, thank You for Your perfect governance. I’m grateful that You can rule in my heart. Take control, Lord. Oversee the words of my lips and the meditations of my heart. Show me quickly when I am rebelling and rioting against You. Convict me of the foolishness of self-governing and give me the wisdom to repent and return to live under Your care. And thank You, Lord, for the sure promise of an eternal kingdom that will have no end, ruled by the One who is on the Throne!

Also in Graceful Truth

A NEAR SIX-DECADE TESTIMONY OF THE VALUE AND JOY OF SIMPLY READING THE BIBLE EVERY DAY

January 01, 2025

So this morning, January 1, 2025, I rise early once again. I will enter into the throne room before the Father, because the Son has made a way for me to come into this “grace in which I now stand.” I will open the Word God has written and preserved for me so I could have it in my hands. I will ask the precious Holy Spirit to teach me, showing me things which “eye has not seen and ear has not heard” that have been prepared for me. And I will have the glorious privilege, once again, of communing with God.