Ezra 6:14 So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo. They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia.

This verse explicitly includes both spiritual leaders and government leaders. Some people tend to rebel against all leadership, but they are seldom successful in their lives. Some people think or feel that everything depends on government, and they either despair at what they have or want more of it. And some people so focus on what they see as spiritual that they despise government, and/or see it as beneath their notice. All of those are wrong! We are too weak and foolish to make it entirely on our own, and all human organizations are fallible, but we need personal accountability and civil government in order to live lives rightly related to God, who is Spirit. As Paul famously said, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4) If we don’t have good civil government, it will be very difficult to “live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” However, God is ultimately in charge, and He uses secular leaders to do His will. If we focus too much on politicians and government, we will leave God more and more out of the picture, and we can certainly see the results of that. However, we aren’t to be “so heavenly minded we’re no earthly good.” Particularly in representative democracies, we are to be actively involved in society in all the ways available to us, all the while realizing that all of this is temporary, and God is the only eternal good. That’s why we need both spiritual leaders and political leaders – and we’re to pray for both.

I was not at all political for the first 2/3 of my life, but once I passed 50 I started paying more and more attention. At this point I am generally very aware, and certainly interested, but I’ve got to keep it all in proper perspective. I am sharply aware both of human fallibility and the ability of God to use anyone, even a donkey! (Numbers 22) (That’s not a reference to a political party, by the way.) I have seen spiritual leaders who genuinely drew people to God, to listen to Him, and I have also seen spiritual leaders who were all about themselves, and effectively blocked people from following God. I’m to follow Paul’s advice and pray for both, particularly since I’m in a position of spiritual leadership myself. I am never to take that position lightly, but also remember that I am no more than an under-shepherd, fully accountable to the Great Shepherd of the sheep – to use the expression in Hebrews 13:20. I am to despise no one, but let God be the Judge, and pray for all.

Father, thank You for this reminder. The world is certainly getting some lessons in leadership, for good or bad. I pray that those You have set in leadership would be increasingly faithful to You, so that Your name may be acknowledged as holy and Your rule and reign be established as Your will is done, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!