Worst of times?

The present time always seems like the worst of times, just like some time in the past always seems like the best.

But these times do seem tough for those of us coddled by entertainment and ease, because we smell rain in the air. Change is coming.

How do we respond? Some would look for an escape route - figuratively for some, literally for others. Tough times can trigger flight.

But a writer, in the midst of a rough time, asked, "how can you say to me, 'flee like a bird to the mountains'?" Advice is usually free in all times, and the enemy seemed poised to overwhelm.

More advice: "if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Ps 11:3)

But our writer was not so easily swayed. He didn't believe all was lost. "The Lord is in his holy temple," he declared. "The Lord's throne is in heaven....his soul hates the lover of violence." (Ps 11:4)

Faced with a "run for the hills" plan, the writer said, "In the Lord I take refuge."

Nothing had changed, as the writer knew. The Lord still sat on his throne and knew the works of people. He still tested the righteous and the wicked. He still offered a scorching wind to the evil.

These are the worst of times. And the best of times, for God is still on his throne.

In the Lord I take refuge (Ps. 11:1)

Corrupting power

In yesterday's post, I discussed the nature of theocracies. Clearly, those of us who follow Jesus would find a theocracy wise. If God, with his wisdom and power, were calling the shots, we'd be as successful as the Israelites going into the Promised Land.

The issue isn't God's wisdom, but our own corruption. As George Orwell said, "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

Look at the first king of Israel, King Saul. Chosen by God to be the nation's king, Saul was expected to obey God. In a sense, we see a theocracy once-removed. God, through Samuel, instructed Saul. Saul gave those instructions a quick glance and then did what seemed practical to him.

Saul's reign began with a great military flourish as he defeated the Ammonites miraculously. We're told clearly that God was with him, winning that battle. Ironically, his end came on the same battlefield against the Philistines. God was not with him this time. God did not speak to him because of his disobedience.

Samuel's farwell address contains fascinating guidelines to the people he ruled. Samuel did not direct their attention to obedience of their new king but notice what he said:

If you fear the LORD and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the LORD your God--good!
1 Sam 12:14

Israel thought they had moved into a monarchy by demanding a king. God chose their king and made clear that their ultimate obedience was to follow the Lord their God. God has not handed off the reins and headed to a new galaxy to dabble with some other civilization somewhere else.

He is still here. Even as he allows governments to operate, ultimately he expects obedience to be to him. We can't lose sight of that fact: God is here, ruling still, and our job is to obey him.

Samuel closed his farewell address with encouraging words:

But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.
1 Sam 12:24

No matter how our earthly governments rule, our job is to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all our hearts.

Supreme power

Theocracies - those nations supposedly governed by God - are a strange animal in this world. Look at modern-day Iran, for example.

The Ayatollah in theory has the power to overrule the democratic institutions of the nation if he feels their actions run counter to Allah's will. That may be what happened in the recent elections there. It appears that many voters have challenged his supreme authority.

Historically, the Christian Church of the 1300's and 1400's had something of a similar hierarchy. The Pope had ultimate power to influence governments. Monarchs needed the Pope's approval for major decisions.

The popes, in those centuries, became more and more corrupt. They formed an international powerhouse that was subject to no one - but they were not ruled by God's principles. Their reigns were based on political alliances and manipulation that might make our heads spin today. Or not, considering our current politics.

When Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt's slavery, we see a working theocracy. Moses met with God and conveyed God's commands to the people. God led the people.

However, when the Israelites finally reached the Promised Land of Canaan, the theocracy which continued soon collapsed. If you've ever read the book of Judges, you know the theme of that book is "each man did what was right in his own eyes."

More specifically, Judges shows us that we need a king. We don't do so well on our own. Often, theocracies have a Wizard of Oz look, where the show is impressive but it's all run by a guy behind the curtain.

How is God involved in government? Tomorrow, I'm going to search some biblical texts for principles to apply to our political leaders.