Luke 18:24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand.

Mob rule seldom has anything to do with justice. There are those in the US today who are expressly trying to use mob rule to get their way, and the results are horrific. That’s the tricky thing about democracy. You want the people to have a voice, but you don’t want mob rule. That’s why a republic, with elected representatives, is a far safer option. However, as America is demonstrating right now, that’s not an easy road to travel, either. The best answer is to listen fully to God, but mankind has a horrible track record there, too. The term for that is theocracy, but you only need to look at Iran over the past 47 years to see where that leads. Religious leaders claim to listen to God, but they are as human as the rest of us, and they quickly devolve into listening to their own opinions and appetites, rather than to God. In this particular instance, Pilate had many pressures on him, and he knew a riot wouldn’t be looked on well by his superiors in Rome, so he took what he saw as the easy way out, caving to the demands of the crowd in front of him. The irony is that the mob wasn’t actually representative of the majority opinion in Judea, they were just the loudest voices. That particular technique is being used full bore in the US today! Genuine statesmen need to be careful not to cave to volume, but seek to determine what is right and just, and have the courage to act accordingly.

I’ve never been in civil government, but as a pastor, I have had to make some momentous decisions. When I have been humble enough to really listen to God, He has been faithful to guide me. However, my pride has gotten in the way sometimes, and the voices around me have seemed irresistible at times. As it says in Proverbs 29:25, “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” This is an immediate issue, because we have our annual church business meeting coming up on the 12^th, one week after Easter, and I know that not everyone is on the same page about everything. Pilate isn’t an example I want to follow! I won’t have any decisions to make as momentous as the one he blew, but I am still accountable to God for my stewardship of this flock. There are physical and procedural preparations for the meeting, but the spiritual preparations are far more important. I’ve got to keep that in focus, particularly since my wife and I will be leaving for our US trip just two days after the business meeting. Distractions loom on every side! I’ve got to act so that God’s name is recognized and honored and His authority and rule are manifested as His will is done, because anything less is futile human vanity.

Father, thank You for this strong reminder. Thank You for yesterday, and all it held. I really went through the wringer! Thank You for Your solution to the housing issue. Thank You for the lesson in seeking Your guidance first, rather than automatically trusting the human voices around me. The advice that led to yesterday’s mess was given in good faith, but just because something seems reasonable doesn’t mean it is Your plan. Help me seek You first and listen to You accurately, so that Your will may be done on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!