A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Dr. Larry Ollison)
Scripture for the Day (October 29, 2018)
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. (Proverbs 14:34)
Part of God’s plan for Christians is that we pray for the leaders of our country, regardless of where we live in this world (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Those who live in non-democratic nations may not be able to vote, but they can and must pray for the leadership and for reformation of their government’s structure.
For those of us who live in a democratic country where the people elect their government officials, we must not only pray for our leaders, but we have the awesome blessing and responsibility of being able to choose them as well. We have the method in place whereby we can install godly men and women into office, and we can remove evil men and women from their office — by our vote.
Unfortunately, there is a default setting when it comes to voting. When we choose good leaders, our leadership is good. When we choose evil leaders, our leadership is evil. However, if we become lazy, complacent, or apathetic, and for any reason fail to choose, our vote is not neutral. Our vote goes to the default setting. By not choosing good, we choose evil by default. Prayer for our governments has this default setting too. Let me explain.
In the kingdom of God, choices are critical. Our salvation is based upon a choice that we have made. If we choose Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we will be saved. If we choose to reject Jesus, we will not be saved. If for any reason we decide to delay our choice or have the “everything-will-work-itself-out” mentality, we will not be saved either. To be saved, we must choose to be saved. By not choosing, we actually choose the default setting which is lost.
When the apostle Paul was talking to King Agrippa, the king told Paul that he was almost persuaded to become a Christian (Acts 26:28). Almost persuaded or almost decided doesn’t work in God’s kingdom. As Christians we are in this world, but we are not of this world (John 17:14-18). We must act on God’s principles and not man’s. We must pray for our leaders, and those of us who live where elections are held also must choose righteous leaders. Otherwise, evil leaders will be elected to office or take over an office and remain there.
You have the responsibility and the ability. Decide to choose. Do not allow complacency, laziness, or busyness to derail you. Remember, by not choosing to pray for leaders (whether they are godly or ungodly) or to vote for ungodly leaders, by default you are choosing abortion, homosexuality, and every evil work that the enemy desires. Ungodly behavior and ethics must be dealt with through prayer and voting.
According to Scripture we are to “submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from [us]” (James 4:7). By praying for our government officials and voting for godly leaders, we are submitting to God’s plan. By submitting to God’s plan, the enemy will flee.
Prayer can dramatically change things; so can taking positive action. (See 2 Kings 20; James 2:26; 4:2.) The result is this: we can pray the enemy out of our governments, and by voting for godly leaders we can automatically vote the enemy out.
