Godly Leadership in Government

Orignally posted on 02 October 2011 by Rev Tommy Carpenter

On September 28, 2011 in my morning devotions I read Proverbs 28. Let me share verse two of that Chapter by using four different translations:

"For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged" (Proverbs 28:2 King James Version).

"When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but when a ruler is a man of discernment, understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue" (Amplified Version).

"When a nation sins, it will have one ruler after another, But a nation will be strong and endure when it has intelligent, sensible leaders" (Good News Translation).

"When the country is in chaos, everybody has a plan to fix it, but it takes a leader of real understanding to straighten things out" (The Message).

I realize that, first I must repent for transgressions! I must take responsibility for my transgressions. I know that 1 John 1:9 says: "If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Second, I must take responsibility for the transgressions of my family. "And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed GOD in their hearts. Thus did Job continually" (Job 1:5).

I must take responsibility for the transgressions of my community, city and nation. Daniel 9:3-19 records Daniel's prayer for his people and nation. "GOD, please help us to take seriously the responsibility to confess the sins of our nation!"

Fourth, I must take responsibility to see that our leadership, in the affairs of government from the local level to the national level, are godly people of discernment, wisdom (understanding) and knowledge. I believe that if I pray and participate in the voting process, according to GOD'S will and GOD'S WORD that HE will set up HIS leadership again in our land. "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. BUT GOD is the JUDGE: HE putteth down one, and setteth up another" (Psalm 75:6,7).

The result can be that our Nation will be strong and endure. Our failure can be fatal.