It was never God’s plan for people to have kings over men and nations. His plan is/was perfect. He reigned over His people; He gave them laws in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy and set up THE perfect system of His priests from the tribe of Levi to govern the people and direct them as to what God’s laws said over specific situations – and the laws He gave covered everything imaginable unto man – there is NOTHING new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9); God’s laws have not changed, and will never change, they are as good for today as they were when they were given to Moses on Mt. Sinai; man has not changed, we are as sinful today as we were in the garden – again, there is NOTHING new under the sun; When Israel demanded a king it displeased Samuel (who was a God ordained judge of Israel), and the Lord told Samuel “Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them” (I Samuel 8:7).
God’s original, perfect plan was for Him to be our King, our Ruler, our Judge – not man. Want proof that man’s way is bad? Look around! If our current situation isn’t enough proof for you, look through history – go back and read the Bible – there are countless examples of WHY man should not reign over man; we are destructive, and cruel (look at Hitler); God should be in His rightful place upon the throne, not only in our nation, but also in your heart. There have been godly men in leadership positions, and there are godly men in leadership positions even today in some places, but, God HAS to come first, in your life, in your home, in your neighborhood, in your church, in your city, in your state, in your country and in this world – no exceptions. But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves – James 1:22 - God is perfect, man is corrupt and sinful. If we have to have a man leading us, I’d sleep better at night knowing a man who loves God is doing the leading – we need another King Jehoshaphat; a leader who is not afraid to call upon the Lord in times of trouble, and a leader who rallies the people to do the same (II Chronicles 20)– a leader who loves God, His laws, His ways and who is NOT scared to proclaim them and put them back into our laws where they belong.
God’s plan is perfect – we are not
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (II Chronicles 7:14)
Break this verse down -
{my people, which are called by my name} – God’s people, those who are saved, Christians
{humble themselves} – [humble - not proud or arrogant; modest] – put away pride, die to self and selfish ideas and ways; put others before self, put God first, repent
{and pray} – to pray is to talk to or petition the Lord, repent (there's that word again)
{seek my face} – [and ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart – Jeremiah 29:13] [Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded – James 4:8] It is not hard to seek the Lord, He is everywhere, He is never far from you, all you have to do is call out to Him
{turn from their wicked ways} – […how shall we, that are dead to sin (Christians), live any longer therein?] [Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; weather of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?] – stop doing things that are not pleasing to the Lord, stop sinning!
{I will hear from heaven} – Jesus Christ is our intercessor when we pray. [Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us – Romans 8:34]
{and will forgive their sin} – [If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – I John 1:9] Jesus Christ died on the cross to forgive your sins, all you have to do is ask Him, it is already done, He bore all of your sins on the cross that day because He loves you and wanted to give you total access to the Father; if He had not died and bore your sins, you would have NO way to the Father, no redemption, no grace, no mercy, no sanctification, no way into heaven. [For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life – John 3:16]
{and will heal their land} – God loves us and only wants what is best for us, He wants to bless us and for us to live happy lives honoring to Him. He hates sin, NOT THE SINNER, He cannot look at sin, He is holy and just. But even in the face of sin, God is ready to heal.
Jenn
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