For kings and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 1 Timothy 2:2
As the group of adult students gathered to wait for the instructor to appear, they broke into a variety of discussions. A middle-aged man stood up and called for attention. He said, ‘I am going to ask that we avoid all political jokes. Because’, and he paused for emphasis, ‘I have seen too many of them get elected’. The other students laughed because he had just cracked a political joke. They are very popular these days. People of one political stripe malign and vilify anyone in office of a different political stripe, with all manner of accusations and calls for impeachment. Often the jokes are nasty and crude in nature, even if they do contain more than a shred of truth regarding the targets of the jokes. What is accomplished by all this? Nothing, really. How much better it would be to pray for wisdom and direction for those elected officials, as our text today directs us to.
First, we need to get our priorities linked up with the Scriptures. What do they say? Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation’ (Romans 13:1,2). That makes it pretty clear that we are to be subject to whoever is in charge of the government, or face punishment. And if we are to submit ourselves to their authority, it only makes sense that we would pray that their authority be administered wisely and well. Sadly, we often find it more entertaining to mock our leaders than to pray for them. Certainly they give us fodder for our mockery. Many of the laws these days run counter to the clear teaching of the Scriptures. To these, we cannot submit. But to those who are in the seats of authority, we must show due respect. And if we sincerely and regularly pray for them, we will find ourselves much less inclined to mock them.
Our text makes it plain why we should pray for these people. As Christians, we desire to live a quiet a peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Some forms of government do not allow Christians to do that. Governments that are based on Communism, Mohammedanism, and despotism deprive Christians of the right to assemble according to the Word of God and to proclaim the Gospel. God has preserved us from much of that. But we need to pray that our nation be preserved from the attacks of godless enemies that would deprive Christians of our rights, to accommodate their so-called right to practice abominable immorality. This is a very real and growing threat to us, and we need to pray that God would guide our leaders aright in this matter.
Did you pray today for the leaders of our government? It is in our best interest as Christians to do so. – Jim MacIntosh