A New Year – A New Nation
It has been said we get
the government we deserve. It is also said that for evil to triumph it
only needs for good men to do nothing.
I was reading a Christian
message board recently and someone had left a message thanking God for an
election result. This got me to thinking
about government whether on federal, state or local level and what we as
Christians can do to influence it.
The shire I live in - in
For a few years the
church in this shire has been characterized by unity among the denominations.
Many events are planned and held together including prayer gatherings.
The fact we now have a Christian mayor is no accident.
It is true that
"righteousness exalts a nation" (Pro
I believe we as Gods
people can influence our society. I think the foremost and most effective
way to do this begins with prayer. 2 Chronicles
Paul told us in 1 Tim 2:1
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and
thanksgiving be made for everyone - 2 for kings and all those in authority,
that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This
is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to
come to a knowledge of the truth."
I find it interesting
that this passage talks about us living quiet and peaceful lives and God
wanting all men to be saved. It reminds
me of the verse that says “God’s kindness leads you toward repentance.” (Rom 2:4)
So often as a nation we take God’s goodness for
granted and it is only when we are shaken by some event that people turn to God
and the churches. God’s kindness is to
be seen every day. How sad we use it to
fulfill our own ambitions rather then it causing our hearts to turn to God.
The fact is
though that “the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that
they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the
image of God.” (2 Cor 4:4). Jesus did not deny that Satan could offer Him
all the kingdoms of this world if Jesus would worship him. "Again,
the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of
the world and their splendor. 9 "All this I will give you," he said,
"if you will bow down and worship me." 10 Jesus said to him,
"Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and
serve him only.'" It is only at the
end of this age and the beginning of the new that the kingdoms of this world
will become Christ’s.
In the mean time if we,
as Christians want to see Godly government we must be fighting the right
enemy. Eph
This week Ne Win died. Who is Ne Win? He ruled
How like the description
the Bible gives of Satan who comes to “kill, steal and destroy.”
Brothers and sisters this planet is a war zone.
If Satan had his way mankind would be obliterated in an instant. He hates us and will use whomever he can to
bring oppression, bondage and death. It
is on this basis we must take the battle to him. If we fail to do so, we will spend our time
continually dealing with the ravages he causes rather binding his power. 2 Cor 10:4 For the
weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling
down of strong holds; 5Casting down imaginations, and every high
thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into
captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Praise God there is ample
evidence in history baring testimony to the fact that praying Christians can
turn back the tide of evil. Even today whole
communities are being transformed into citadels of light as Christians pray,
pray, pray. "When the enemy
shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard
against him." (Isa 59:19) Make no mistake, it
is only after battles are won in the spiritual realm that the victory is
manifest in the physical.
This is not to say this
is easy. Daniel chapter 10 gives us a
glimpse of what we are up against when we pray.
For twenty-one days God’s messenger tried to get to Daniel with a
revelation from God, but the prince of
Our praying
cannot be on an ad-hoc and random basis.
Nor can we be flippant or superficial.
What army would attack a well fortified enemy base camp in shorts and
t-shirt? We must be informed, decisive
and well protected. Otherwise we will end up like the sons of Sceva in Acts 19.
“Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the
name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In
the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14Seven
sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing
this. 15One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I
know about Paul, but who are you?” 16Then the man who had the evil
spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating
that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.” We must know God and be known of him. “the people that do
know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” (Dan 11:32)
I heard this joke recently.
How many Pentecostals does it take to change a light bulb? Eight. One to change the light and
seven to drive back the spirit of darkness. This joke has a measure of
truth for the whole church (which is all Christians - Pentecostal and
non-Pentecostal.) It is the church that determines a nation's spiritual
climate (light) and it is the church that is responsible for overcoming
spiritual wickedness in high places.
We can thank
God for righteous people in government but must never forget to pray for them
and against the forces that would bring them down – not prayers that are merely
intellectually satisfying but prays that storm the gates of heaven and of
hell. “…the kingdom of heaven suffers
violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matt
Are we at ease in
Brothers and sisters this
is a new year. Let us commit to laying
hold of all God has for ourselves, of communities and our nations. After all, we have not because we ask not.
