Tag: politicians

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Ecclesiastes Devotionals

Who we put our hope in

Ecclesiastes

If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them.

But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields. (Ecclesiastes 5:8-9, ESV)

I don’t know about you, but I don’t have much faith in politicians, bureaucrats, or judges.

The strange thing is, neither did Solomon. And he was a king.

Of course, not all politicians, bureaucrats, and judges are bad.

Solomon certainly saw the benefit of government. With good government, a country can prosper. (9)

But on the other hand, although there are different levels of government which are supposed to provide a measure of accountability for the officials, there is corruption that creeps into each level.

The result? We sometimes see injustice and unrighteousness within that government and within society.

That’s the result of living in a world broken by sin.

So as Christians, our hope is not to be in government. Of course, government was established by God and is thus a good and necessary thing. But because of sin, it is also an imperfect tool. (Romans 13:1-7)

What is our hope to be in then? I love the words of the late Chuck Colson. He said,

Where is the hope? I meet millions of people who feel demoralized by the decay around us.

The hope that each of us has is not in who governs us, or what laws we pass, or what great things we do as a nation.

Our hope is in the power of God working through the hearts of people. And that’s where our hope is in this country. And that’s where our hope is in life.

Categories
Psalms Devotionals

The King we place our hope in

Psalms

I think we all long for good leaders.

Leaders that are just.

Leaders that help the helpless.

Leaders under whom the righteous prosper.

Solomon prayed to be such a leader in this psalm.

And while in some ways he was a good king, in others, he wasn’t. (1 Kings 11:4-8, 12:4).

Ultimately, Solomon’s prayer wasn’t fulfilled in himself or in any other king or leader. It will only be fulfilled when Jesus returns and sets up his kingdom.

On that day, he will “rule from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.” (Psalm 72:8)

All nations will be blessed by him and call him blessed, and the whole earth will be filled with his glory. (17, 19)

So if you read the news and are frustrated by our political leaders, pray for them.

But remember, our hope is not in them.

It is in God who “alone does wonders.” (18)

Jesus promises us,

I am coming soon. (Revelation 22:20)

So each day, let us look up to him in hope, praying,

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20b)

Categories
Ezekiel

Where a nation puts its hope

Ezekiel

Where is hope for a nation found?

For the Israelites, they put their hope in their leaders, hoping they could bring them prosperity. And when the Assyrians came against them, and then the Babylonians, they looked to their leaders for deliverance from their enemies.

But it was an empty hope.

That’s what this chapter is about. The lioness was the nation of Israel, and the first cub was Jehoahaz.

But as we’ve mentioned before, he didn’t last long as a king, and he was quickly taken prisoner by the Egyptians after just three months on the throne.

Jehoiakim took over as king, but he brought no deliverance for the people of Judah, instead becoming a vassal of Egypt. Later on, he was taken captive by the Babylonians.

As a result,

When [Judah] saw her hope unfulfilled, her expectation gone, she took another of her cubs and made him a strong lion. (Ezekiel 19:5)

This king was Jehoiachin, but he too would be taken by the Babylonians into exile.

Ezekiel concludes by lamenting how Israel had been such a “fruitful vine,” strong and powerful among the nations. But because of their sin, they would be uprooted, their fruit shriveled, and their branches burned in the fire.

Not only that, they would be taken from their land and planted in the desert, a dry and thirsty land.

This of course was talking about their exile to Babylon (Ezekiel 19:10–14). And now there were no kings left in which they could put their hope.

So many nations put their hope in their leaders, trusting them to lead them to prosperity and safety. But all the while, they turn their backs on God, living their own way.

Even if a leader is good, a nation will start to wither apart from the Source of life. And if a leader is bad, it will wither that much faster.

Salvation for a nation is not found in politics.

It’s found only in people one by one turning to God, giving their hearts to him. And it’s only as people are turned to Christ one by one, that things start to change in a nation.

Am I saying politics is unimportant? Absolutely not.

But remember that a nation only has hope if they’re turned towards God. And that starts with you, touching the people around you.

So let us be the light in the darkness that God calls us to be.

For he alone is where this nation’s…where this world’s hope is.