Politicians or Prophets 10-25-06

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are the "King of kings and the Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:16). Be my King and be my Lord this day. … "Samuel said to all Israel, 'I have listened to you in all you have said to me, and have set a king over you. See, it is the king who leads you now; I am old and gray but my sons are with you. I have led you from my youth until this day" (1 Samuel 12:1-2). This is the season of politics in our country, with national and local elections in just a couple of weeks. I'm reminded of the pleading of Israel to be led by a politician rather than a prophet, by an earthly king rather than the heavenly King. The prophet Samuel declared to the people, "You shall know and see that the wickedness you have done in the sight of the Lord is great in demanding a king for yourselves" (1 Samuel 12:17). Their demand for the leadership of a king was a rejection of the leadership of God. "But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and distresses; and you have said, 'No, but set a king over us' " (1 Samuel 10:19). Their choice set in motion a pattern of politics and government that has continued in one form or another throughout the generations to this day. Though it broke Your heart to know all that would come to pass as the hearts of Your people turned to their king to be their savior and deliverer rather than the Lord their God, You honored the choice of their will. But even so, You did not abandon them or reject them. Even in their sin of choosing a king to lead them rather than the voice of the Lord through Your prophet, You gave them grace to cover their sin if they and their king would seek Your face and obey Your voice. "If you will fear the Lord and serve Him and heed His voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord, it will be well; but if you will not heed the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king" (1 Samuel 12:14-15). Lord, I pray for those who have been given authority to reign over us. Though we may call them senators, representatives, mayors, governors, presidents, or prime ministers rather than kings, they have been entrusted to rule and reign in the governance of our lives. The voices they heed and the decisions they make affect us all. Though this was not Your first choice of government for Your people, You meet us where we are in the choices we have made throughout the generations, giving us grace as we seek to follow You in the system of government we have. "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God" (Romans 13:1). So we are to pray "for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity" (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Lord, establish those in authority who will seek Your face and obey Your voice. And remove those who will not. Purge and cleanse from our governments those who will not lead us in "all godliness and dignity" by heeding the voice of the Lord. Give us humility to seek and courage to obey Your will and Your ways in the choices we make about the kings we anoint with authority to reign in our lives. Only as we follow You -- both ourselves and our kings -- will it "be well" with us. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Ministering the Healing Love of God ... Preparing the Way of the Lord." 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com . Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary. All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794