The story of creation is powerful. It gives us insights into how God designed us and what sort of life He intended for us to live. The Book of Genesis tells that story of how God created humans to live in a perfect environment brimming with intimate relationships, nutritious foods and engaging activities. God, the rightful King of Heaven and Earth, also gave humanity the gift of self-governance — the power of choice.
Adam and Eve saw God face-to-face. They walked with their Creator daily, learning as they grew. But alas, self-governance would evolve into disobedience as our original ancestors, desiring the fruit of sin over the commandments of God, abandoned their citizenry in God’s garden and became the world’s first expatriates in a foreign land. Fortunately, God did not abandon them.
God led the children of Israel through the wilderness and beyond. Yet over and over His people refused to coronate Him as their King. With corruption in their own leadership growing, the people commanded the prophet Samuel, “Give us a king to judge us.” – 1 Samuel 8:3-5
Samuel took this request to the Lord. “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you,” God responded to Samuel. “For they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” – 1 Samuel 8:7
The results (which can all be found in 1 Samuel 8) were devastating. God warned the people of all the things that would happen if they set man upon a throne instead of Him. Nevertheless, the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. They said, “No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” – 1 Samuel 8:11-20
Governments didn’t get much better after that first king. Babylon became the first world empire. God gave the king of Babylon a vision that foretold every major kingdom that would ever take place in the history of Earth. In time, all of these kingdom’s would be broken.
“The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. And it is easier for Heaven and Earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.” – Luke 16:16
We are transitioning to a new government — God’s government. As demonstrated on the Cross of Calvary, Jesus is the only One who is worthy enough to rule. His government is being built right here, right now — through us, His people. One of the greatest prophesies in all of Scripture, given to Isaiah, was about this coming government:
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” – Isaiah 9:6-7
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT
There is plenty of reason for us to educate ourselves in the affairs of human government, but let’s remember that our true citizenship is in the kingdom of heaven. Unto us a Child was born, unto us the Son was given. He came as a Babe in a manger, but soon He will return as the Ruler of Heaven and Earth. As citizens of His great kingdom, as the elect of God, we should honor our King by keeping His commandments.
MY PRAYER
Father, thank You for being a loving, merciful and just King. You have made us citizens of Your eternal kingdom. Help us to follow You, Lord. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
