QT 11/14/2022 1 Sam 12:11-25, What to do when government fails you

1 Samuel 12:13–15 (ESV) —

13 And now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the Lord has set a king over you. 14 If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well. 15 But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king.

1 Samuel 12:20–25 (ESV) —

20 And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. 22 For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 24 Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. 25 But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”

 

NOTE: The King was not the best choice, but even when the process / government changes, the foundation remains the same. God calls us to obey, not rebel against his word, and to worship him and not things. In the old covenant, there was a promise of material blessing (things would go well), which is not true in the new covenant. There is a promise of eternal things (crowns and rewards) for a life of obedience in the new covenant, but no promise that earthly life will be easy. The covenant changed between the testaments, and governments change between geographies.  But the foundational things remain for us as well: obey his word, do not rebel, and worship God (not the world).

 

Our country started out well, but no longer follows its original ideals. Corruption, controlled speech, a lack of morality, and ideas in opposition to God's design rule the government and political landscape. It will destroy itself from within soon. 

 

PONDER:

1. What is our response to a failing government? It is the same thing that Israel was told to do when its government changed: Obey his word, do not rebel against God, and worship God (not the things of the world). And Jesus adds two more items: make disciples and be a witness for Jesus.

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to keep my focus on the things that are truly important in life. Help me to see where and how you can use me to make a difference. Help me to obey, to not rebel, to worship you, to make disciples, and to be a good witness.-