Government

Psalm 145:3-7 (NIV) “Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.”

Psalm 145:10-13 (NIV) “All you have made will praise you, O LORD; your saints will extol you. They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.”

Isaiah 9:7 (NIV) “Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”

In the Declaration of Independence there is a powerful statement which its author gave as justification for independence from England. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…” The governments of this world derive their powers from the consent of the people; however, the Government of the Lord derives its power from the greatness, the majesty, the power, the righteousness and the glory of God. Because the nature of God is limitless, likewise the Government of God has no limit. The governments of the world have limited resources and abilities; the Government of God has unlimited resources and power. The governments of our world are facing enormous financial challenges which they don’t know how to solve; the Government of our God never lacks any good thing. The governments of this earth will all come to and end; the Government of God’s kingdom will never end.

Unfortunately for many, they have built their trust on the governments of this world instead of on the Government of God. This is not to say that governments shouldn’t be trusted or respected or depended upon to exercise their God-given authority. We must work toward righteousness, integrity and responsibility in our government. However, God’s kingdom and authority, his Government, is greater than any on this earth. Our faith and our hopes must be in the kingdom that will never be shaken. How do we do this? By knowing and trusting and letting our lifestyle reflect the truth that the Lord is faithful to his promises and loving toward all he has made. We must learn to grow more dependent on God’s promises than the promises of government. They are more sure. They last longer. They are in every way better. When the promises of our government are in default, we must remember that the promises of God’s kingdom are never in default. Jesus said, “So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:31-33, NIV) When the time comes where these basic needs cannot be provided for by anything within our power, we must then be able to stand on the promise that our heavenly Father knows what we need. Our dependence first and foremost must be on the Lord. His kingdom is a mighty and powerful one. His ability goes beyond the combined understanding and power and ability of mankind. May we grow in our understanding and dependence on the kingdom which will never end.