WHEN THE RIGHTEOUS RULE

2 Chronicles 19:4-7

Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, but he went out among the people, traveling from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, encouraging the people to return to the Lord, the God of their ancestors.

He appointed judges throughout the nation in all the fortified towns, and he said to them, “Always think carefully before pronouncing judgment. Remember that you do not judge to please people but to please the Lord. He will be with you when you render the verdict in each case.

Fear the Lord and judge with integrity, for the lord our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.”

Scripture records that the people rejoice when the righteous rule:

Proverbs 29:2

When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. 

But when the wicked are in power, they groan.

It refers to the actions the righteous takes, these actions is what results in the prosperity of the people.

(In politics the person seeking to lead makes so many promises, when they eventually get the crown, they seem to forget it all)

Some theologians believe that democracy may not be the best practice and the reason is evident. When the person in power do not have parliaments working with the same vision and purpose with the person in central power the effort could be greatly jeopardized.

Look at Jehoshaphat in our opening verse he was empowered to appoint all those who worked with him. However, in democracy the presiding leader is elected so also are some other leaders.

The prayer is then to have each of these elected leaders as righteous.

Scripture says that it is God who appoint kings and remove them:

Daniel 2:21a

He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. 

The question is: is this the same when it comes to democracy?

1 Samuel 8:20-22

“We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle.”

So Samuel repeated to the Lord what the people had said, and the Lord replied, “Do as they say, and give them a king.” Then Samuel agreed and sent the people home.

Yet even this kingship they asked for was not a democracy!

So, the question is, how do we vote in the righteous, in a democracy. Remember that the unrighteous will play all the unrighteous games to take up the position.

We need to play our part, if as a church we are divided on choosing the righteous then we should not complain when the wicked have their way!

What of the the church, what type of leadership do we have? What criteria is used to appoint leaders? Is it a democracy, is it nepotistic or is it by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

If the church barely gets it right, do we expect the secular world to get it right?

Or has the church stopped being the light of the world?

Yes, we have a consolation that the Lord God will bring an end to all the world's powers and set up the kingdom of His Son. However we have to live in the tenure of this world's system.

While we do, remember what Jehoshaphat told those He appointed:

2 Chronicles 19:6-7

and he said to them, “Always think carefully before pronouncing judgment. Remember that you do not judge to please people but to please the Lord. He will be with you when you render the verdict in each case.

Fear the Lord and judge with integrity, for the Lord our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.”

For,

John 17:15-16,20

I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.

They do not belong to this world any more than I do.

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.

We as believers participate in the world's system, we contribute to the the success and prosperity of the communities and the nations. We are a shinning light. However, we know that we are of the Heavenly Kingdom and have inheritance there.

Let each and everyone of us lead aright wherever we find ourselves, that our light will shine all over the world.

Joseph started leading aright as a slave boy that his master left his whole household to him, he continued with his great leadership in prison even after he was wrongly accused, he yet did not waver even when he led the whole of Egypt and the world's economy.

May we not be found wanting.

The Lord will keeps us faithful and the Lord will grant that the righteous rule.

So help us Good Lord.

He calls us blessed.

Love

@the watcher