Interesting picture. What would life be like in The United States of America if our government was really consulting the Scriptures for insight as to how to govern. As I looked at this picture I was reminded of our “Weekly Update” (Prayers and News) and this prayer in it: “Prayer for our government; that they will be influenced by the scriptures in their efforts to govern.”
Our government is comprised of elected representatives, chosen by the people in a fair and accurate election ( well, supposed to be, anyway ). How would things change if every single chosen representative read the Bible on a daily basis? As I was pondering this, I remembered this passage of scripture...
2 Timothy 3 ( World English Bible )
16 Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Without a doubt, governing is a good work. Forget labels such as Republican, democrat or independent. If those who represent us are influenced by The Bible- THINGS WILL CHANGE.
In the meantime…
Romans 13 ( WEB )
1 Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.
2 Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment.
3 For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same,
4 for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.
5 Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
6 For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, attending continually on this very thing.
7 Give therefore to everyone what you owe: taxes to whom taxes are due; customs to whom customs; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor.
And
1 Timothy 2 ( WEB )
1 I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men:
2 for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;
Pray for our government and be in subjection to it, for in doing so we are in subjection to God (Romans 13:1). Have faith, remember” this passage from the book of Daniel…
Daniel 5 ( WEB )
17 Then Daniel answered before the king, Let your gifts be to yourself, and give your rewards to another; nevertheless I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation.
18 You, king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty:
19 and because of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him: whom he would he killed, and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he raised up, and whom he would he put down.
20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
21 and he was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the animals’, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys; he was fed with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky; until he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and that he sets up over it whomever he will.
For those who doubt these things, I would like to remind you that Christians transformed the evil Roman empire into a Christian society by the influence of the Scriptures and doing God’s will. Do what they did and watch what happens.