19 January 2018 - growing together

Today's Readings (Audio)

I had some thought of killing you, but I took pity on you instead.
I decided, 'I will not raise a hand against my lord, 
for he is the LORD's anointed and a father to me.'

We may have questions about those people whom God chooses and places in leadership.

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted 
and they came to him.

Jesus chooses disciples and yet includes a tratior.

and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

We may think some of God's choices are downright bad ideas. Even when the people called by God seem to make poor leaders we still need to trust that God is able to work using them even in spite of their own plans and intentions. This is not to say that Saul was a perfect king for Israel. But the solution to that problem is not to lift our hand against the LORD's anointed. We may, like David, need to try to plead the truth of our cause to someone like Saul. It is true that some leaders have been so bad as for us to be right in deposing them. But our first instinct should be to pray for and support the anointed of the LORD, even if they seem rotten. This is actually our best bet for peace and prosperity in the Church and the world. It is why Paul calls Timothy (and us) to pray for our leaders.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way (See First Timothy 2:1-3).

Leaders are often of questionable moral fiber. They tend to desire the power they need to rule and the desire for power is itself a red flag. Yet this is precisely why, rather than simply protesting and tearing down, we must respect, pray for, and build up those who lead us.

This is true for leaders in the Church as well as in the world. Although there is less incentive for the corrupt to desire such positions, we still occasionally get leaders we would not choose. We sometimes get leaders who betray our trust and leave us wounded. The right approach to such as these begins with prayer and the hope of redemption.

The real good news about this message, though, is for us. It is that God is able to work even through deeply flawed people provided they are sustained by prayer. It is a great testimony to how important our prayers can be for others and how important their prayers are for us. Let us join together, than to build this society of solidarity, of justice, and of love.

Have mercy on me, O God; have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
In the shadow of your wings I take refuge,
till harm pass by.