Most of us have probably heard and thought more about politics in recent years than we would like or even thought possible. The political narrative has become so contentious and divisive that at times it seems to threaten the stability of our nation (and possibly yours wherever you live), and has led to the assassination of a young husband and father who dared to speak out in a hostile environment. How did we get here?
At its heart, what we’re seeing is a battle between right and wrong, light and darkness. But some of the blame goes back to an attitude that is not new. It was there in Isaiah’s time and has been alive and well in our nation for generations. But could we also bear some of the blame?
Welcome to “God’s Word Day by Day,” where I blog through the Bible in a Year. I hope you’ll join me every day. If you’re not already signed up, you can do it here or subscribe and watch on YouTube.
Today’s Readings:
Isaiah 39 & 40
Psalm 109.21-25
Proverbs 26.2
Galatians 2.1-21
The State of Our Country & An Age-Old Attitude
Isaiah 39 & 40:
Hezekiah’s Selfish Response
Hezekiah started out pretty well. Remember his incredible faith-filled prayer in Isaiah 37.14-20. But today’s reading made me think of some of today’s politicians. Chapter 39:
5 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD of hosts. 6 ‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the LORD. 7 ‘And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’”
8 So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good!” For he said, “At least there will be peace and truth in my days.”
My paraphrase of what the Prophet had just told him, “Hezekiah, your choices and the accumulated rebellion of your generation are going to lead to the destruction of your nation as you know it. Your children and grandchildren are going to be taken into slavery, some will even be castrated.”
Instead of calling his nation to repentance, his selfish response was, basically, “At least it will be good for me” (v. 8)!
Politicians & Us
It seems many of our own politicians are just as self-focused. They seem more concerned about how their current decisions and the laws they pass affect them directly. Their primary goal appears to be getting elected or re-elected rather than doing what’s right. But make no mistake, there are others whose agendas are far more evil.
The evidence of this selfish indifference concerning genuine right and wrong has been their willingness to constantly change sides on an issue based on what is politically expedient at the moment. It’s also evidenced by Congress’ unwillingness to do the tough, unpopular work required to pass meaningful legislation on important issues and, instead, to use those things as political footballs tossed back and forth year after year.
Right now, there seems to be some willingness to change this for the better. While those attempting to do so are imperfect men, there are those who seem to want to make real change. But the battle has increased exponentially. And, at its heart, it’s a spiritual battle.
While, as believers, we cannot and should not put our trust in secular government, we must not fail to be salt and light in our nation.
Our Responsibility
How have we failed?
Is it possible that we have been selfishly focused on our own personal lives, jobs, businesses, and concerns and failed to obey God’s command to pray for our leaders faithfully?
Paul and those in the early church lived under the harsh control of the Roman government. Yet, Paul wrote this to his protege Timothy and by extension to us:
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2.1-4).
While we need to hold our leaders responsible for their decisions and vote those out of office who oppose God and His Word, we need to take a hard look at ourselves (Matt. 7.5). How have we failed to pray for those who are in office whether or not we agree with them?
If we fail to pray and if we continue to vote for men and women whose policies amount to a total rejection of God and His authority, we should not be surprised if God’s judgment falls on us and our nation continues to descend into chaos.
The Only Answer
If there is to be a reprieve in God’s judgment on our nation, it’s only going to happen because the hearts of our people change and because God’s people stand in the gap and pray.
Recent events, including the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and the response to his death may lead to a revival. But it’s up to all of us to allow God to work in our own hearts, draw closer to Him, depend on Him, forgive, live out what we say we believe, exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, extend grace, and share the gospel, while refusing to back down when it comes to right and wrong. We can’t keep silent or refuse to be salt and light because it’s easier for us.
Only then will our politicians make right, though painful, economic decisions. Only then will they call for true racial unity and make good moral choices, even when it costs them personally. And only when we begin to evaluate candidates and policies on the basis of what God says is right, can we expect God to bless our nation again.
Christians & Our Political System
I was shocked to learn recently that a very low percentage of Christians even vote when elections come around. I don’t know whether we feel like it is not important or that it won’t make any difference or whether there is some other reason. But I believe voting in a republic like ours is very important. While we may be sure of what we believe and trust God to care for us, we are responsible to look out for and love our neighbors. That means doing what we can to ensure we have the best leaders.
Galatians 6.10 says:
10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
And there has never been more of a difference between the two political parties in our nation than right now. This is not a political issue. This is an issue of right and wrong, biblically. The platform and policies of the Democrat party read like a manifesto of Romans 1. If you don’t believe me, please read it for yourself.
I understand that there are no perfect candidates but we need to do our best to come down on God’s side on the most important issues of our day. We are accountable before God. And He has never made the choice more clear.
[Tweet “Christians should vote out of love for our neighbors. Read Romans 1 and pray. The choice has never been clearer. #Christians #politics #soulsurvival”] [Tweet “It’s up to all of us to allow God to work in our own hearts, draw closer to Him, forgive, live out what we say we believe, extend grace, and share the gospel, while refusing to back down when it comes to right and wrong. #saltandlight #prayer #grace #rightandwrong #soulsurvival”]But before we leave today’s readings from Isaiah, let’s look briefly at chapter 40.
He who Weighs the Mountains & True Science
Chapter 40 makes me wonder afresh if we really understand the awesomeness of God:
12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand,
Measured heaven with a span
And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure?
Weighed the mountains in scales
And the hills in a balance?
13 Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD,
Or as His counselor has taught Him?
14 With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him,
And taught Him in the path of justice?
Who taught Him knowledge,
And showed Him the way of understanding?
Though the Bible is not primarily a book about science, where it does speak of science or any other subject, it is truth! Verse 22, for example, says, “It is He who sits above the circle of the earth …” He told us the earth was round long before science figured it out!
Although many theories laid out by sinful, unredeemed men contradict the Bible (remember it’s the theory of evolution), true science does not!
Not by Mere Chance
Chapter 40 goes on:
26 Lift up your eyes on high,
And see who has created these things,
Who brings out their host by number;
He calls them all by name,
By the greatness of His might
And the strength of His power;
Not one is missing.
Just look up! The heavens declare His majesty. The order and magnificence of the universe speak of a Creator. The intricacies of the human body alone confirm to anyone who wants to know the truth that nothing happened by mere chance.
God is upholding everything! Look at the text again, He “brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name.” The host—all the stars and planets and all the universes that exist do so because He created them. He already knows just how many there are even as we continue to discover new ones and has already named each one of them. Just as He declared what a set of pagan parents would name their son (King Cyrus) a hundred and fifty years before he was born, so He pre-ordained the name of each star and planet and solar system.
And if that’s not enough, it’s His power that holds each one in its place, “by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; not one is missing.”
What an amazing thing that the Creator of everything in the heavens above and the earth beneath invites us to have a relationship with Him!
Today’s Other Readings:
Psalm 109.21-25:
For His Name’s Sake
21 But you, O God my Lord,
deal on my behalf for your name’s sake;
because your steadfast love is good, deliver me!
Notice that the psalmist prayed on the basis of God’s character and not his own.
The Curse of Sin
Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, so a curse without cause shall not alight.
Certainly, this can apply to the laws of sowing and reaping, but the world as a whole is under the curse of sin. One day it will be destroyed because of God’s righteous judgment and will be replaced with a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21.1).
Galatians 2.1-21:
Justified by Faith
As Paul continued to deal with the Galatians and the false teachers who had infiltrated the church there, He said this in verse 16:
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
John Frame quotes The Westminster Catechism in his definition of justification:
Justification is an act of God’s free grace unto sinners, in which he pardoneth all their sins, accepteth and accounteth their persons righteous in his sight; not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but only for the perfect obedience and full satisfaction of Christ, by God imputed to them, and received by faith alone.
We are justified, made right with God, as an act of God’s grace not by anything good in us or anything we have done or not done. To think otherwise, even in subtle ways, is legalism. I wrote about this at length yesterday. Like the Galatians, we can slip into legalism all too easily, sometimes without recognizing it. You can read more in these posts:
“Legalism & the Prosperity Doctrine”
“The Danger of Parental Legalism”
Coming Up:
In the coming days, we will look at true biblical prosperity and the prosperity doctrine, and talk about freedom, bondage, and co-dependency.
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Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
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