1 Kings 10:9 “Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness.”

The purpose of rulers is to maintain justice and righteousness. Far too many political leaders seem to forget this completely, if they ever had a real grasp of it in the first place. Good leadership is a blessing from God, but it is often taken for granted, or even actively opposed by those who aren’t interested in justice and righteousness. We see that all the time! That’s why Paul tells us to pray for “kings and all those in authority.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2) He goes on to say that a well-ordered society is “good, and pleases God our Savior,” implying that such a society makes it easier for people “to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4) There have been many in Church circles who have felt that faith and government were unconnected, but I think that recent developments, in the US at least, have caused that number to shrink considerably! God is interested in all of life. As Dr. John Kewiet said in seminary, if what we say we believe doesn’t affect the way we live, then it is meaningless. The ideal society is one in which everyone lives, acts, and speaks in grateful, obedient humility before God. We won’t see such a society in fullness before Christ’s return, but we need to understand that is our goal in civil government, whatever politicians might think.

Since living in Omura I’ve been a local group leader several times (an official but unelected position in Japan) and am a personal friend of the mayor, though I can’t vote because I’m not a Japanese citizen. I have spoken out occasionally on behalf of justice and righteousness, though my impact has probably been small. As far as the US is concerned, the Internet has made it much easier to keep up with issues, and I vote absentee faithfully. The big question is how well I obey Paul’s admonition to pray! I am not to be obsessed with things of this world, but I am to remember that God is indeed interested in everything, and I am to pray and to act so that His Name may be hallowed and His kingdom come as His will is done on every level, and not just in church, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. This is something You’ve been saying to me a lot recently. Help me trust You and walk in faithful obedience, not panicking over anything but not being apathetic either. May I be faithful as Your agent in every area of my life, so that Your will may be accomplished a little more fully because of me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!