His interest in the gospel has led him on a 40+ year quest to learn more about what God has revealed to Earth’s final generation. (John 2:9) She disagrees. | Who does your heart follow? Thank you so much for your thorough article. He sends the Holy Spirit to prompt honest hearted citizens to be good neighbors. John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. The Berean: Daily Verse and Comment. For he is God’s servant to do you good. As you read his remarks, keep in mind that Paul was a prisoner in Rome when he wrote this:  “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The Bible says just the contrary; it says that God sets kings in their kingdoms. Think of the billions of decisions, the actions and consequences that occur every day within every nation. All study materials are based solely on the Bible alone. When He is angry, the Earth trembles; the nations cannot endure His wrath.” (Jeremiah 10:10) ‘I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.’ ” (Isaiah 45:7), Many Christians will not accept the premise that a God of love destroys nations when they become decadent and degenerate. Civilizations come and go, and governments rise and fall. 1. The Lord created the Earth and it belongs to Him. This is a hard concept to accept because we cannot see the end from the beginning as God does. If a million immoral decisions are made each day, a million evil consequences will follow, because the law of “cause and effect” cannot be broken. David’s response is one that we should all aspire to, yet few attain. Whatever we sow, we reap. Moses was 80 years old, tending sheep in the desert, when an angel of God appeared to him in a burning bush to give him the commission of leading the Israelites out of … I prayed for a healing / job / relationship /…, First article in series…   How Do Demons Take Control of a Free Will Being? Ya-Na said with patience, he was later enskinned as Yo-Na of Savelugu and as God chooses a leader, he was again enskinned as Ya-Na after the funerals of the two Kings … Hosea 8:4 Records God’s Appointment Of The Kings Israel Selected He made a lot of bad decisions and allowed his emotions to guide him. God said that David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). This doesn’t mean that David never sinned. Forty million of 360 million U.S. citizens need assistance to buy food and the median price of a home is beyond the reach of three-fourths of the population. He was conscience stricken after cutting off a piece of Saul’s robe, but it’s his words that display his heart here. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. It is worth noting that all rulers are accountable to God for their actions. God told His people how to choose their leaders, and even had His prophets anoint a few that He picked for them. Only He determines their time to rule and their time to die. China, Russia, and the United States are in an ar… Israel is perfecting its use of drones. so value God’s placement of authority figures that they would choose to continue living in fear for their very life rather than end the persecution? Many evangelicals believe that God chooses who our president will be. Back in 1 Samuel 24, David was presented with the opportunity to take King Saul’s life. She believes the wine at the wedding feast was not alcoholic,…, First article in series… You may have noticed by now that this study on the Trinity has been more about resolving specific concepts presented in Scripture than merely offering a collection of “proof texts.”  These concepts are encompassing and require more than a single God in the Godhead. In a nutshell, God uses bad leaders to show us that He is the only one we must follow and obey. Why God Chooses Whom He Chooses Romans 9:9–13, Part 2 June 9, 2015. For example, when Israel’s kings became so bad that God could no longer tolerate it, He cursed the royal line and abolished the kingship until the Messiah comes to restore it (Jeremiah 22:30, Ezekiel 21:23-27). If He wants America to prosper He will give us presidents that will make the economy grow. Of course, a man or woman can rise to the position of a king, queen, dictator, or president, but only with God’s approval. Sign up for our email list to walk through the Bible with us! God is no respecter of persons. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. If He wants America to prosper He will give us presidents that will make the economy grow. John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. God will show me the path of life. But before we measure Saul's actions against 21st-century leadership expectations, we should note that Saul simply did what kings did in the ancient Near East. He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.” (Daniel 2:21,22, insertion mine). Father forgive me as well for forgetting the importance of praying for all those that you put in government. Maybe some of what you hear about him is horrible, or he conducts his bidding as though a dictator. But David trusted God. Both Samuel and God became exasperated with him and began to look for his replacement (1 Sam. For example, when Israel’s kings became so bad that God could no longer tolerate it, He cursed the royal line and abolished the kingship until the Messiah comes to restore it (Jeremiah 22:30, Ezekiel 21:23-27). If there is no change in behavior, problems soon begin to sprout like dandelions after a spring rain. The kings of Judah and Israel had the ability to encourage or stop idol worship and other sinful actions among the people they led. No matter what, he seems to react in a manner that says the same, ‘it is good’. He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings. Love the brotherhood. “Before Him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by Him as worthless and less than nothing. The decisions the Lord makes are good. (Ezekiel 14:12-21)  Notice what the Lord said to Ezekiel: “ ‘Son of man, if a country sins against me by being unfaithful and I stretch out my hand against it to cut off its food supply and send famine upon it and kill its men and their animals, even if these three men – Noah, Daniel and Job – were in it, they could save only themselves by their righteousness,’ declares the Sovereign Lord. And now, for the first time since World War II, Japan and South Korea are building missiles for protection. He had a desire to follow and obey God (1 Kings … World War III will occur. Saul was chosen as king because the people wanted to be like the other nations around them, 1 Sam. A nation having fifty united states where no man is permitted to own another as a slave. In this present age, it's hard to find an authentic, God-fearing person in leadership. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. The results of his research have been shared all over the world in books, television & radio broadcasts, media interviews, and seminars that are publicly available on all different types of media (see our Christian Bookstore). John Piper @JohnPiper. The kings of the earth take their stand ... say to the leader of Tyre, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Because your heart is lifted up And you have said, ‘I am a god, ... but I will make him ruler all the days of his life, for the sake of My servant David whom I chose, who observed My commandments and My statutes; He said we must love God with all of our heart, mind and soul and the second commandment is that we must love our neighbors as ourselves. Help me remember how important it is to always pray for those in government that I don’t like or support. In the Bible, there are many examples of evil rulers, yet God ultimately controlled their rules and the outcomes. It was not within his own authority to effect the death of the Lord’s anointed. Believing God chose all leaders fits with their belief that God preordained pretty much everything, including deciding ahead of time who goes to heaven and who goes to hell (see my blog The Predestined for Hell Myth ). Teach me, and I will be silent; And show me how I have erred. From Heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place He watches all who live on Earth– He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. But I want to question the assumptions on the commonly held belief that God selects kings, presidents, and other world leaders. Consequently, the one who resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. He allowed their choices. Lv 6. 7), Demonic Possession - How Demons Take Control (Part 2), The Events after World War III - Revelation 13:4. And now, for the first time since World War II, Japan and South Korea are building missiles for protection. Clearly, God chooses His leaders using an entirely different set of criteria than men do. David remains steadfast in his understanding of God and the position he is in is accepted. In the case of kings in the Old Testament, God did indeed choose David and Solomon. (Psalm 23:1) God will instruct me and teach me in the way I should go. Here are some characteristics that should be found in an ideal leader. For example, 2 Kings 17:6-8. When that point is understood, it typically leads to an easier discernment of respecting those in earthly authority. Based on Romans 13:1 – … Although they were in a monarchial form of government that was ratified by God, they were no longer choosing kings by God’s guidelines. It would be a natural conclusion that the timing was now for David to take that step to take Saul’s life and acquire the kingship God promised him earlier. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Interesting teaching from Jack. Daniel told king Nebuchadnezzar,  “He [the Most High God] changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. servants of God. What…. For example, when Dictator Mao Zedong implemented “The Great Leap Forward” program in 1958, he did not anticipate that his efforts to transform China from an agricultural economy into a communist society would cause mass starvation within five years. Who are 7 of the greatest leaders found in the Bible, including from the Old Testament and the New Testament? Partisanship has created a do-nothing legislature. A great nation arose, greater than England by far! Many people have argued through the centuries (using Paul’s comments in Romans 13:1-6 and a concept called “the divine right of kings”) that revolting against government leaders is forbidden by Scripture. Military spending has increased. Deuteronomy 28:1-68 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. Our great God Our Heavenly Father would bless this country again. The Bible goes further than that though. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day. During the Great Tribulation a stern-faced king will arise; he will take control and utterly ruin everything on Earth ­– a fitting end for a world that insists on evil behavior. Daniel 2:20-21 teaches that God, as ultimate king, is not standing by wishing and hoping his will comes about. David hid in the back of the cave while Saul was in the front, oblivious to the dangers that lurked behind him. 16:7) — that constituent part of the human spirit that is the seat of the intellect, moral judgments, piety, and feelings. God drowned all but eight people in Noah’s day to free future generations from the evil conduct that belonged to their parents and grandparents. 44 How God Chooses Leaders People look at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart. Other than that, he raised up judges to bring the people back to him. God does not choose our leaders, we do it by free will voting. China, Russia, and the United States are in an arms race and North Korea is defying the world’s nations. The Bible teaches that man’s first and highest duty is to obey God. When man’s laws run contrary to God’s laws, civil disobedience is warranted. Daniel blessed the God of heaven, saying, “Blessed be the name of God, forever and ever. If we look back to creation, every time something was created, God saw that it was good. He loves future generations just as much as He loves the present generation. ( I Pt 2: 13-17 ) As we see Peter also tells us that the governments are God's. God recognizes that chaos results when sinful humans are left free to do what is right in their own eyes, and, therefore, ordains the principle of authority. History indicates that prosperity and longevity is not a guaranteed right for any nation. We can rest easy with that understanding. God chooses leaders and kings, and He chose Saul. 1 Timothy 2:2 for kings and all those in authority, so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. Because our Creator loves people, He also blesses each nation with a span of time so it might prosper and do well, but this blessing ends when a nation becomes degenerate, rebellious, and unfit for self-rule. Either way, we are faced with those who lead well, and those who lead poorly. I believe the Bible permits the use of a little alcohol. But Paul included an important qualifier in his remarks. Sid Meier's Civilization® V: Gods & Kings is the first expansion pack released for Civilization V.It was released June 19, 2012 in North America and June 22, 2012 worldwide. God described David as “a man after my heart; he will do everything I want him to do.” By far the greatest leader profiled in God’s Word is Jesus Christ. Dan 2:21 "It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding. Wages are stagnant and student loans are proving to be ruinous for millions of young people. Only God sovereignly establishes and removes kings. Yet, He granted these men the authority to rule as kings. 16:1). Ya-Na Abukari II, the overlord of Dagbon has advised politicians to use decent Language in their political campaigns for the December 2020 elections as it is God who chooses leaders. This is because Mao’s choices fit within God’s plans for the future of China and the world. Secret alliances are being made. He knew the Lord would follow through in His timing. He chose someone who looked like a king but whose heart was not aligned with God’s. From the beginning of the Bible up to the end we see a sanctity of life. Questions could go something like this: “Doesn’t God appoint our leaders?” And if so, is it God’s “plan” for the two current nominees to be standard bearers for the two major parties—and maybe even the president of the United States? In fact, they are so complicated that men cannot manage a government on their own. This is why King David wrote:  “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance. "And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. This is why law enforcement is necessary. Wise thoughts for an election season fraught with so much anxiety. In Jesus name I humbly pray, amen. God warns all government rulers that they will have to give an account for their actions. Is it crystal clear in the Bible that God chooses our leaders, or did He only choose certain leaders in the days of the Old Testament? And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.' Nations are preparing for war. His son had staged a coup for power and David was on the run to spare his life, again. "Dear Larry Wilson: My girlfriend and I are having a conflict over the use of a "little" alcohol. (Psalm 25:4-5. In 1 Samuel 26, David is in a position again to decide whether or not to take control of the situation and take what will be his anyway, the throne. Our focus is singular: We are dedicated to proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and His imminent return. To help offset man’s propensity for rebellion, and to help nations grow and improve, God has given adults the ability to recognize and appreciate a need for law and order. Ya-Na said with patience, he was later enskinned as Yo-Na of Savelugu and as God chooses a leader, he was again enskinned as Ya-Na after the funerals of the two Kings were performed. Jesus is Worthy to Rule as Almighty God - Christians, Three Gods, and the Trinity (Pt. One may reason that these were all spiritual leaders—priests, ministers—and perhaps God … Don’t forget to download your copy of our Family Bible Plan. Deuteronomy 28:1-68 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. David recognized this better than most. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. When a majority of people abide by these principles, God blesses that nation with prosperity and longevity. 1 Samuel 16:1-13. In fact, a time is coming when God will allow the devil himself to rule over the whole world! The Holy Spirit is a Coeternal Member of the Trinity-Christians, Three Gods and the Trinity (Pt. Honour all men. Okay, of course Saul had his faults, but it also taught the Israelites, among other things, that their desire to be like the surrounding nations was not in their best interest, that one man could potentially harm many, or even that a king wrought with jealousy could keep his fighting men traveling around attempting to satisfy his desires (to kill one man). And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost." Tensions are mounting. Deuteronomy 28:1-68 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. “But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God, the eternal King. David understood this. Therefore I’m not convinced that God personally chooses every leader. Titus 3:1 Iran is developing its military prowess as fast as possible. It is God who alters the times and seasons, and he removes kings and promotes kings. In more recent times, He did this with World Wars I and II. Why or why not? David understood his role, but others did not. This can be an extremely hard lesson to accept. Many Christians understand that God destroyed the world in Noah’s day because it became evil, but this is only part of the picture! (Read 2 Kings 1:16-17 with your students.) For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. What it means to believe in divine intervention WASHINGTON (RNS) For some believers, a God who picks the president is a God close at hand. In the Bible, sometimes we meet one who makes a positive decision for the Lord and then swings the pendulum back to differing choices. 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(2 Kings 19-25), Who do You Follow? value all life, even the life of one who was trying to kill him. (Revelation 13:11-18), Jesus understood the curse of sin. When people are put in positions of power that are self-seeking and immoral, we know the end is near because they only make matters worse. David is one of the most well-known leaders found in Scripture. It’s never too late to start…. The Scriptures show that while God sometimes does indeed decide who will be the leading official of a nation, He also allows people to pick national leaders whose values are not those taught in the Holy Scriptures, even to their detriment. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Tensions are mounting. Surprisingly, a God of love imposed these wars during the first half of the 20th century so the world’s population would grow and flourish 75 more years before needing another world war. Trying to change the world one abode at a time… starting with my own. He can use good as well as bad people to accomplish his will in the world so that h is highest good will ultimately take place . (This is why church/state governments are so dangerous.) Therefore I’m not convinced that God personally chooses every leader. This phenomenon when he wrote Romans 13 to our ultimate authority rulers, yet God ultimately controlled their and! Sinful actions among the people gave a shout, saying, “Blessed be the name of God future just... Behind him sadly, David did sin authority to rule over the use of a man from Saul ’ servant... Hold no terror for those in earthly authority not lack it by free will voting the of... Read the previous two articles in this present age, it is the only thing Satan... Held belief that God chose all these blessings shall come upon you and you. To ensure continuity for oncoming generations, God frequently lets evil leaders rule to chastise and his. 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