Proverbs 29:2 observes a fact about the result of influence in a culture for good or bad. It says, “When the righteous are in authority and become great, the people rejoice; but when the wicked man rules, the people groan and sigh.”
After living through the social and political roller coaster of the last few decades of American society, that Scripture passage in Proverbs 29 certainly bears witness for all of us, doesn’t it? Let me read it again with some amplification…
“When the (uncompromisingly) righteous…” (i.e. those who are godly and in right relationship with Almighty God)… when that kind of people “flourish by increasing in number and in authority over the land, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan as if in mourning.”
We’ve all endured a lot of groaning and complaining going on, particularly about the wicked corruption in the ruling class, haven’t we? People have good reason to complain about the compromised morality of all kinds that goes on at every level of society.
It’s natural to look at that, as most of us have always done, and complain about the influence of wicked rulers, but isn’t it interesting to reflect on that proverbial insight in light of the contrasts that we’ve seen under the dramatic differences in federal administrations of the past decade.
There’s another timely observation in Proverbs 28:1. It tells us that “The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” … It goes on to say in verse 2, “When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.”
What a thought-provoking observation of contrasts! Do you see it? The upstanding Righteous leaders who are bold as a lion… are as different from the wicked who are fearfully looking over their shoulders, because of all the wicked deeds that have earned them many enemies… as the wise, discerning, and organized ruler is peculiarly distinct from the multitude of bureaucratic rulers of a land of cowering rebels.
Benjamin Franklin wrote that “A nation of well-informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the region of ignorance that tyranny begins.”
When you return from a day at work, or out shopping, or driving on the highways, or just interacting with the general public, would you say that the God-fearing, morally pure population of your country is “flourishing” and increasing in authority over the land?
Remember… all that must happen for evil to flourish in a culture is for the good people to keep quiet and do nothing. Light dispels darkness. It’s not the other way around.
It’s no wonder the enemy of humankind successfully deceives so many to think they should just let their little light be hid under a ‘basket’ and cower in the shadows of the evil influences. That’s how to keep low-information voters in the dark, ignorant, and fear-filled by whatever demonic deception they think they can’t overcome by faith in the Giver of all good things from above.
A 2020 Barna survey of Americans found that while 51% of American adults said they have a “biblical worldview,” only 6% of American adults actually hold this worldview with core Biblical beliefs… You know… basic things like:
- Jesus is the sinless and eternal Son of God,
- the Bible is totally true in all its moral principles, and
- salvation is on the merit only of Christ’s sacrifice.
Yet, a 2020 Pew Research study discovered nearly two-thirds of Americans (65%) actually believe that UFOs are really proof that intelligent life exists on other planets. So, did you catch that? A whole lot more Americans believe in extra-terrestrials than believe in the God of the Bible! Now, we’ve got a problem! What have they been listening to? How could they be so off track?
See the Pew Research Center report at: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/06/30/most-americans-believe-in-intelligent-life-beyond-earth-few-see-ufos-as-a-major-national-security-threat/
In a 2020 interview on CBN news with pollster, Dr George Barna that was recorded early in the Covid pandemic crisis, it appeared most American Christians were motivated by fear, and seeking solutions from government rather than from God or the Bible (see the report at https://youtu.be/oRYVEdnWKWY).
Hearing that, what do you think about God’s providential appointment and removal of national rulers? The Bible says in Daniel 2:21, God “removes kings and raises up kings” while “He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding?”
Do you think that might correlate with the spiritual and moral temperature of the population base? History has tended to reflect that a generation gets the leadership of its own making.
The Great Awakening of George Whitefield’s days in the early 1700s in the British Colonies of America produced the bold courageous leaders who dared to sign the Declaration of Independence in 1776. And there’s no doubt that God used that generation to produce a new nation that has expanded the kingdom of God to the whole world in extraordinary ways.
Yet, you’d find it difficult to find even 10% of our nation’s church leaders laboring to influence their congregations with Biblical insights to inform their decisions on how to vote in local and national elections. Perhaps the ‘groaning’ and complaining we’re experiencing these days should be more appropriately directed toward those we’ve entrusted for our spiritual education. What do you think you could do differently to make a difference in your own community’s backyard? Maybe you could put in a good word to your pastor for starters. Why not ask him to give you his thoughts after listening to a four-minute YouTube on why Christians should vote? Here’s a summary of what he might hear.
[From YouTube channel “What Would You Say” at https://youtu.be/EbZApjZbgec?si=lcaNdq08DzMylTM0 ]
Imagine you’re in a conversation and someone says “why vote?” Now, we all know that politics is ugly and God is Sovereign no matter who’s in office. So, what would you say?
It’s true God is always in charge. Scripture is clear that nothing can ultimately derail God’s plan. So, does that mean we don’t need to care about what happens in government?
Well, if you think about it, there are three reasons why we should care and be bold to be an influence for righteousness.
First is a big fact most miss… Freedom isn’t normal! Even if you’re not a political activist, I’ll guess you’re probably glad you live in a place like the USA instead of North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Pakistan, Libya or a dozen other countries you can name where Christians are in constant danger. But Americans tend to NOT understand why our life is so much different and better than what people in other parts of the world experience. Freedom from tyranny, constitutional rights and civil liberties are all we’ve ever known. We tend to miss how rare and abnormal our life really is.
Most people in history never experienced the rare freedoms Americans have taken for granted in our lifetimes. In fact, the majority of people around the world do not live freely today. All of us born into Freedom didn’t do a thing to earn it. But… even if we didn’t do anything to earn our freedoms, we are responsible for what we do with them.
To whom much is given much is required Jesus said in Luke 12:48. Will we leave our country as good as we found It? Can we make it even better for future generations? That leads to the second point.
Why should we care and do something about it? Reason Number 2 – Governments, like everything, require maintenance! If we decide to play more and skip mowing the grass, or ignore the screeching brakes on our car, or forget fixing the leak in our roof… who’s going to have a problem? And probably sooner than we think?
God is certainly still in charge and He will still accomplish His purpose. But we still do those bothersome chores… Why? It’s because we don’t want to suffer the consequences of lawns, cars, and houses that were never maintained. That’s how it works with governments too. By educating ourselves, voting, and running for local civic offices… free people do the work needed to keep our freedoms.
Our commitment to these actions doesn’t prove we lack trust in God’s sovereignty. It’s really the way we steward what God has given to us. And it’s the way we show true kindness to our neighbors… And that leads to the third reason why we should care about our government.
Well-maintained governments make life better for everyone. Ideas are not neutral. Ideas have consequences! And bad ideas have victims. When bad ideas take root in government, people get hurt. By taking care of our government, we don’t just fulfill a civic duty… we make life tangibly better for other people. Babies who would otherwise die… get to live. People who would otherwise be punished for speaking the truth… get to speak. Parents who would otherwise lose the right to direct the upbringing of their children… get to have the final say. Communities that would otherwise be unsafe… are able to thrive. Justice exists where it didn’t before. These decisions are not simply a matter of taste like vanilla or strawberry. In some cases, it could be life or death.
Yes, God is in charge. And we can trust Him. But God placed us on Earth to care for the world He created… including the government. He didn’t create you and me for indifference. Greek philosopher, Plato, wrote: “The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.”
So, next time someone says it’s not important to vote because God is in charge anyways… remember these three things.
- Number one – Freedom isn’t normal! What we enjoy as Americans is a gift. Squandering gifts isn’t trust it’s ungratefulness.
- Number two – governments, like everything, require maintenance. We should vote for the same reason we mow our lawn. Things get worse if we don’t personally take care of them.
- Number three – well-maintained governments make life better for everyone. Voting isn’t simply a duty. It’s a chance to tangibly improve other people’s lives. When we have those chances, we should take them.
Jesus said “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16.
How many people aren’t able to give glory to God who is in heaven… because we are not doing our job of maintaining our government by voting? The righteous are bold as a lion and willing to vote.
Could it be that God, himself is allowing modern idolatry to run its course until the people cry out for God’s intervention? If we honestly think that might be even remotely possible, then what are we doing – in faith – to prepare for the harvest of souls who will need to be discipled much more Biblically than the traditional churches have done in recent generations?
This is something worth serious ongoing discussion and prayerful planning in every congregation of true believers… but wise builders must lead the way… not just those gifted with gifts of exhortation and academic instruction. We need gifted men… Bold men… courageous men… strong men… with many different gifts working together. And that’s the way our Creator made “the body” to have interactive dependence on all its various members.
Get involved! Be bold and courageous, like a lion!
Are there indications that God is using the current crisis of dictatorial governmental intrusion into the lives of citizens? Is His purpose to urge His people to declare all the word of the Living God more boldly? And by declaring the word, I don’t mean only shouting John 3:16 to a crowd, overwhelmed by an ocean of worldly noise! I mean every true follower (disciple – mathētēs) of Jesus (Mat 10:25), personally getting their ministry assignment (diakonia in 2 Co 5:18) from the Holy Spirit and strategically working in fellowship (koinonia in 1 Jo 1:7) with their local assembly (Ekklesia in Rev 2:29) of all true faithful believers (pistos in1 Co 4:2) and doing it with courage and action. You can see an example in Act 9:6 when Saul asked the Lord, “what do you want me to do Lord?”
I’m reminded of 1 Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required of stewards that one be found faithful.”
Why is it important for Christ-followers to realize what has been happening with events like the truckers’ convoy in Canada and the huge fleet of Dutch farmers with their tractors, protesting scandalous government actions in the Netherlands? Do you remember that just a few years ago?
Do you think God might be using these colossal events to alert many people to a reality much farther reaching than the events themselves? That should be something we could easily pray for, shouldn’t it?
Like all of you, I was spiritually blind to many things before Jesus healed my disability and opened my spiritual eyes to the discernment of Godly wisdom found in His word. None of us know the things we don’t know. How will we ever escape from the paths of destructively dangerous and hidden deceptive potholes in the road of life… if someone doesn’t put some light on our pathway, to guide us to the One Who is the Light of the world?
Why would otherwise quiet citizens jump into the public fray by joining a Freedom Convoy or attending a MAGA rally in Madison Square Garden?
How can we pray God would “deliver us from evil” if we’re not willing to pray that God would also use a not-so-righteous judge like Samson to deliver us from the evil of our day? … AND isn’t part of our stewardship to make that possible by exercising our rare privilege to vote?
There are all kinds of reasons why millions of busy, law-abiding citizens at their own expense would stick their physical necks out into the dangerous storm of controversy. Can you think of a few?
They not only want to express their opinion about unlawful government actions over the citizens of their nation, they want to make it clear that they will not bend any further in capitulating to those who think they can demand worshipful obedience as if those tyrants were gods. Natural rights are God-given rights. Common sense doesn’t need scientific consensus to make it true. When the proverbial “emperor has no clothes,” then somebody with child-like observational skills and the courage of a faithful soldier has to stand up and refuse to bow… Are not the righteous bold as lions? Don’t lions vote with their actions?
We may live in what academics like to call a “post-modern” or “post-Christian” era of history… but the politically IN-correct foolish academics have been dead wrong for decades. We’re seeing an AWAKENING in this generation that will build upon and enlarge the awakening that birthed the first God-orchestrated constitutional, democratically-elected republican government in history. Freedom is not a gift from the hands of an earthly king…one who can take it away again. Freedom is a spiritual gift from the only wise and transcendent Creator who sustains the entire universe and whose kingdom will never end.
The freedom to live can only come from the Giver of life… and it’s not the government.
The freedom of liberty to speak one’s thoughts can only come from the One making it possible for us to think those thoughts.
The freedom for humans to choose what they allow into their homes, their thoughts and their bodies can only come from the Redeemer who gives His created beings the choice to accept or reject His wisdom and gift of eternal relationship with Him.
The freedom to express God-fearing religious convictions can only come from the Grace of the One who created such awe-inspiring wonders as the starry heavens and conscious ability to honestly worship the One who made them all.
The freedom to peaceably assemble with other humans and petition their governments to correct misguided grievances can only come from the One who commanded His assembled ‘Ekklesia’ of two or more of His faithful creatures to proclaim His kingdom and authority to the whole world.
If we really believe that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and ever heart shall confess that He alone is Lord – Master – Sovereign – over all… then don’t we have an obligation to Him to proclaim liberty throughout the land? Shouldn’t we do as Proverbs 24:11 directs and “Deliver those who are being taken away to death, and deliver those who are staggering to be slaughtered…?”
Should we not be bold as lions and at least give our vote to what we believe in?
Shouldn’t we call upon God in the day of trouble? Can’t we trust in Him to fulfill His promise to rescue us when we faithfully commit to honor Him?” (Psalm 50:15)
The founders of our unique American nation determined in cast bronze metal the words on the liberty bell for a reason – you shall proclaim liberty throughout the land…
It is written in the Scripture given to Moses in Leviticus 25:10… “And ye shall … proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof…”
Through many dangers, toils, and snares God’s amazing grace has led us as a nation. He’s done it even through trials – trials that could have been avoided. How? Only if we, His people, had diligently hearkened unto Him and faithfully done what we were commissioned to do. But God is always faithful.
His prophet Malachi says (in Mal 3:7)
“Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.”
America’s Condition is pretty bad.
We now have a political party in America that has willfully allowed thousands of terrorists, murderers, rapists, thieves, brutal gangs, and poisonous drugs into America in exchange for unlawful and illegitimate votes. We have a political party that has “lost” over 300,000 children to unimaginable suffering, in exchange for votes. This party’s thirst for power and to see America transformed into a weak, globalist nation is literally unquenchable. It’s hard to imagine how their collective conscience could have become so seared.
It is also hard to imagine that such a large portion of America’s media would become complicit in such heinous activity. They know it’s occurring. The sad truth is that they don’t care about these children. They don’t care about fentanyl deaths. And they don’t care about all the inevitable suffering from the criminal portion of the illegals that have come in. Obviously, their ideologies matter more than the children.
What about our children? Are we interested in the whole idea of voting enough to actually do what we can? To change the course of human events?
It’s hard to believe millions of Americans choose to look the other way. What has happened to our nation?! I don’t hate any of these people. I wish all of them could be saved. But I do hate what they’re doing. A true revival, transforming the hearts of millions of Americans, is necessary to change this mess. How is that going to happen? Having the right people in government is important, but as we know, they cannot transform hearts, and America is sick at a heart level. Government leaders can and must work out reforms for America’s civic order. But saving a nation from self-destruction can only happen after God revives a generation with the Light of His gospel. That’s the only thing that’s going to transform the hearts of millions who are hopelessly lost and know it.
This is why we pray for both. We must continue contending for revival. And we must continue contending for reformation in our government, praying that evil is removed and God-honoring patriots are elected. This upcoming election is crucial beyond words. More years of woke, Marxist, antichrist leadership will destroy any nation. Very few people are capable of leading us in the level of reformation that’s needed. Keep praying that they are elected.
And, for now, let’s all do our part to help whomever we can to get to the voting booths… to muster up the boldness of a righteous lion… to vote… and vote for those who will govern in respect to our God-given constitution …so we can all have another chance to be the salt and light to preserve the right to disciple our nation for Christ’s kingdom.
And certainly, we must pray for an awakening in the church. It’s God’s instrument to provide salt (i.e. preservation) and light (guidance) to the earth. A large percentage of the American church lost its savor, and the light grew dim. And regarding her assignment of being a voice for truth and morality? Well, let’s just say her silence screams, “Lukewarm, irrelevant, and cowardly!” God, however, knows how to restore and revive His people. He is doing so, and He is about to rain fire on them – refining FIRE!
Be encouraged, praying Christian. The God who has motivated our prayers is answering them. Many American people are now seeing our fallen condition, making them ripe for revival. Corruption and evil are being exposed in our government, setting the stage for reformation. Many in the church are tired of complacency, compromise, woke leaders, and lack of power.
[Scott Lively’s newsletter of Oct 26, 2024 quoted his website at ScottLively.net, saying:] “Christians who can’t balance the aspirations of Christianity with the realities of politics sabotage their own interests by imposing an unrealistic standard of moral perfection on people who run for office: a standard God Himself never imposed on the people that He raised up as Judges during the 400 year Israelite Republic that America is modeled upon.”
This is what King Solomon was talking about when he wrote…
“The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions.”
Solomon went on to say, in a different translation, that…
When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability… Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who follow the LORD understand completely. Proverbs 28:1-2, & 5
Indeed… God’s righteous servants are as bold as lions… and while evil people don’t understand God’s justice… those who follow the LORD understand completely.
So, let’s all learn from this and boldly… prayerfully… and faithfully share these treasures with others as God gives us providential opportunities.
And let’s not forget that God-given common sense doesn’t need humanistic scientific consensus to make it true.
** If you benefited from today’s show, you’ll appreciate browsing my other posts at ReclaimYourLegacy.com… Let’s share them with friends. This ministry depends on friends like you… sharing with friends. And if God leads you to be one of our loyal support team members, let’s work together to discover more ways to “destroy speculations and every high thought raised against the knowledge of God’s best will for our lives”
Bonus Segment
With the free-flowing exchange of ideas, the public discussion inevitably enlarges. More and more people discover logical, technical and biblical validity for rejecting government leaders and policies that shamefully scorn the Most High God and support actions that ‘steal, kill and destroy’ our Creator’s image bearers. He loved them enough to redeem them through Christ’s death on the cross. Will we love them enough to bear our cross daily and live our remaining days sacrificially in His service?
And I want to leave you today with a message of hope that I heard from our good podcasting friend, Dutch Sheets on his podcast called “Give Him 15.”
“Toward the end of the 19th century, Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel awoke one morning to read his own obituary in the local newspaper: ‘Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, who died yesterday, devised a way for more people to be killed in a war than ever before, and he died a very rich man.’
“Actually, it was Alfred’s older brother who had died; a reporter had botched the obituary! However, the account had a profound effect on Alfred Nobel. He decided that he wanted to be known for something other than inventing the means for killing people in war, and amassing great wealth in the process. So, he initiated the Nobel Peace Prize, the award for those who foster peace. Nobel said, ‘Every man ought to have the chance to correct his epitaph in midstream and write a new one.’”(1)
I guess you could say that we are re-writing America’s epitaph.
Pray with me:
Father, we Americans have modeled greatness, and a loss of greatness. We now exemplify weakness, depravity, greed, pride, and so much more. You said, “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches” (Jeremiah 9:23). We have done all of the above.
But Your mercies are great and endure forever. You are turning our nation, awakening us to our embarrassing nakedness, and have raised up much intercession to fuel this. We thank You. Continue this, Father, allowing us to write a new epitaph.
We pray for the safety and protection of our President, Donald Trump, his family, and those around him. Stop EVERY plan to take him out. Expose all of those endeavoring to do so.
And give us the leadership we need at this time in history. Motivate people to vote, and to do so based on biblical values. Cause them to see that their actions are writing America’s epitaph.
We ask all of this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Let’s continue to ask our Father to give the world of true proclaimers of God’s liberty the opportunity to step up to the spiritual battle. It’s going to be won only through prayer and the declaration of truth over evil powers that naturally-minded people aren’t expected to understand.
From Dutch Sheets’ Give Him15 for October 29, 2024
Click on the link below to watch the full videos.
If you want updated insight on current world news events that you’re not getting from the highly censored MSM, I think you’d like to check out a podcast from a committed Christian who’s seen a lot of life as a retired marine? His moniker is “AWK.” It stands for “And we know,” as in Romans 8:28… that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. His name is L.T and he’s a citizen journalist who really knows how to scour the internet for important content to help destroy vain speculations and high-sounding arguments raised against the knowledge of God. A lot of believers have found here, honest and down-to-earth reporting on a lot of issues that they’re not getting elsewhere. You’ll find And We Know on Rumble because it’s too filled with awkward truths to be allowed on YouTube.
Thanks so very much… and may God’s providential blessings go before you all the days of your life.
Suggested resources:
See the Pew Research Center report at: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/06/30/most-americans-believe-in-intelligent-life-beyond-earth-few-see-ufos-as-a-major-national-security-threat/
Should Christians Vote?
What Would You Say? https://youtu.be/EbZApjZbgec?si=lcaNdq08DzMylTM0
For the purposes of the Barna survey, a “biblical worldview” was defined as believing that absolute moral truth exists; the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches; Satan is considered to be a real being or force, not merely symbolic; a person cannot earn their way into Heaven by trying to be good or do good works; Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth; and God is the all-knowing, all-powerful creator of the world who still rules the universe today. In the research, anyone who held all of those beliefs was said to have a biblical worldview. the Barna website: www.barna.org
By the way… if you want to get Biblical perspective on that topic – UFOs and E.Ts – it’s really pretty simple. There are only two possible explanations. And neither of them fit with the delusions of the Star Trek fantasy that created conscious physical beings from some faraway planet are probing Earth from millions of miles out in space. There’s a section in my book, Unlocking the Mysteries of Creation, that helps simplify that confusion.