What are we to do when those in powerful positions seem to be ruling with an evil hand? Paul had been imprisoned by those in authority; yet, as he wrote to Timothy he admonished him to pray. Paul understood that God was in control and that we as Christians need to pray for their salvation. We must lead lives of quietness, peaceably proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We must not live our lives in anger toward them nor desiring their harm. Our mission is to live out our lives in honesty and godliness, preaching and proclaiming the truth of the gospel so as to lead them to Christ. Our desire must remain to be a light to the world, remembering that it was grace which saved us and desiring that same grace be bestowed on those around us and to those placed in positions over us. The love of God within us is to be displayed to those around us. Look at this verse from I Timothy.
I Timothy 2: I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
This same truth was displayed by Daniel.
When Nebuchadnezzar was angered and sent out a decree to kill all the wise men, Daniel joined with his friends in prayer; then went before the king. When he did, he acknowledged to the king the truth that God was the one who had placed him in the place of power. Daniel 2: "37 Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory." With quietness and peace, Daniel proclaimed to the King that God had provided the interpretation of his dream Daniel 2: "27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days." As a result Nebuchadnezzar proclaimed, " Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret." (Daniel 2:47) Was this a point where the King truly worshiped God? Or was this a point of God awareness which began a journey toward His worshiping God? We see that later he listened to his ill advisers which led to his throwing Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the fiery furnace. Again, amazed by God’s hand in protecting them, he then decreed that all should never speak against the God of heaven. Then finally the last we hear of Nebuchadnezzar was that he proclaimed faith, "37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase." This did not happen overnight, but as God’s people continued to pray even in the midst of trials; it did happen.
So what are we to do as Christians?
1. Pray. We are to pray for our leaders and for all men as Paul admonished.
2. We are to live out our lives in humility, gentleness and truth. Therein we have the peace of God within our own hearts.
3. Lay aside all anger. Remember it is by grace that we were saved. We have nothing of which to boast ourselves, so we must display that same grace to those around us.
4. Never forget, that God is in Control. He can open the eyes of the blind, bring light into darkness, and destroy lies by truth.
5. Our mission is to display His love, His grace, His mercy and the truth of salvation in Christ by our lives as we die to our own desires that He might be displayed in and through us.
Question: Are you willing to stand in the gap in prayer for the world, for your nation, for your city, and for your leaders at work?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5jKnP8sKXc
© 2013 Effie Darlene Barba
Artwork by Ronald Barba (used by permission) © 2010 Ronald Barba
Drawing can be viewed and purchased at http://fineartamerica.com/featured/broken-and-contrite-heart-ronald-barba.html
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