God’s Eternal Government

 In Blog
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This past year has been an intense time globally, with the COVID-19 pandemic and the governments of the U.S., Israel, and other nations embroiled in great controversy and fiery debate.

Leaders around the world are grappling with challenging questions and drastic change on an unprecedented worldwide scale. It seems that so many things affecting our daily lives are up in the air. To where do we turn in times such as this?

In Isaiah 9, through His prophet, God spoke amazing words that have endured from generation to generation, describing His government in the earth. He says,

“[T]he government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

When the world’s systems fail in their wisdom and everything around us is shaking, there is a higher government that we can look to for hope. Verse 7 goes on to say that “of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end”. God says that the government of Israel and the nations of the world will be upon His shoulder – that His counsel, His might, and His peace will prevail.

Elsewhere in scripture, the Psalms declare: “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face” (Psalm 89:14). There is a sure foundation for our times in God’s government of the world, and that foundation is made of rock-solid righteousness and indisputable justice.

As those who believe in God, we are called to represent Him and His character on the earth to bring heaven’s righteousness and justice through our fervent prayers and through a courageous demonstration of our faith in every aspect of our lives.

In his address to the pivotal United States Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, Benjamin Franklin spoke these profound words at the birth of the nation:

I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth — that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?

In the midst of the deliberations of intense debate, Mr. Franklin reminded the delegates that their ability to chart the course of the nation was extremely limited without divine assistance from the Almighty. He urged them to open the convention’s daily sessions in prayer so that they might find God’s wisdom in the weighty matters over which they were deliberating.

The result of the convention was a defined direction for the fledgling nation, which in the centuries since that time has brought much blessing around the world.

At the beginning of a new era in world history, there is a greater need than ever before for servants of God who will seek His face in prayer and become His voices to a troubled world. The righteousness and justice of human beings are inherently limited, but God’s eternal government is an ever-expanding rulership of truth.

May we be those who link heaven and earth through lives of continual devotion and unyielding courage. And may we see the unfolding of what Isaiah foretold – an ever-increasing reality of God’s Kingdom being expressed, even in the midst of the tumultuous challenges of earthly humanity.

As we navigate these times, let us keep in our hearts and minds God’s charge to His people:

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever. (Psalm 125:1-2)

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