The Prince Over Politics
“Politics me off !” My friend Tonya has a way with words. She made this funny (yet serious!) statement as were discussing how disheartening it is that so many people are divided over the upcoming election. Friends and family members are angrily at odds with each other, and there are social media attacks and hateful insults being hurled between strangers in disagreement about who is the “right” candidate.
Recently as I was in prayer about this, the Lord put this Scripture on my heart:
For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6
I’m usually reminded of this verse at Christmastime when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, but it suddenly hit me that there’s another meaning to this Scripture. One that is very relevant to the political polarity (and divisive disparity) of the heated times we’re living in.
What, exactly does “the government shall be upon His shoulder” mean? In short, it means that “I” should not be in charge of deciding who’s in charge. God should be!
OK…how do I “let God” be in charge over “me being in charge” of deciding who’s in charge? (Now there’s a tongue-twister for you)! ;-)
Here’s how: by coming into agreement with who He says should be in charge. This means praying and asking for His guidance, His revelation, and that He will help me see people and things the way He sees people and things…not how the world sees them. It means digging into His Word for His opinion on EVERYTHING. It does not mean taking no interest or action in what is going on in the political realm… and just “letting the chips fall where they may.” We are called to occupy until He comes (Luke 19:13). Politically speaking, that means DO SOMETHING. Cast your vote! But before casting your vote, seek His guidance and clarity about HOW you should vote. Since the government is on His shoulder, then He carries the understanding of what is best for us in government.
God has given us each free will to take matters into our own hands if we choose to (and therefore, take our decisions onto our own ‘shoulders’). However, to truly follow Christ means to actively seek day-by-day, minute-by-minute guidance from the Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace …in every matter. Including politics. If we’re serious about following Christ, it is a natural extension to want The Prince of Peace to steer our heart – and our vote – in any and every election. The government is on His shoulder because He knows what is best for our government.
What happens if I’m not seeking His clarity, guidance and direction? Then I am in danger of being deceived and misled about who the “right” choice is. Just like Adam and Eve were deceived in the garden (ultimately choosing satan’s way over the perfect provision and perfect life God had given them), we each decide on a daily basis to choose one way or the other. Matthew 4:8-9 describes an enticement made by satan to Jesus Himself, while He was being tested in the wilderness:
“Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me."
(Just in case you’re wondering, Jesus wanted no part of the prince of the world’s trickery. He responded by saying, “Away from me, satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord Your God, and serve Him only.”)
Forerunner Commentary* explains the essence of this verse:
SATAN'S POWER IS OVER ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH. THAT COULD BE VERY FRIGHTENING WHEN WE REALIZE HE CAN INFLUENCE [MEN AND WOMEN] IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY ARE NOT EVEN AWARE THAT THEY ARE BEING INFLUENCED TOWARD EVIL. HIS POWER IS SO EXTENSIVE THAT HE IS OVER ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH. JESUS CALLS HIM THE RULER OF THIS WORLD (JOHN 14:30). HE AFFECTS PEOPLE'S ATTITUDES BY MOVING OUR REASONING PROCESSES TOWARD SATISFACTION OF THE SELF. HE GIVES DISINFORMATION AND STIRS UP OUR SPIRIT.
Friend, can you see how this relates to our deciding who’s right for our governmental positions? satan literally tries to GOVERN our MENTAL mindset and beliefs. He targets our discernment — our ability to recognize truth and what is GOOD for us. He wants to make sure we pick his GOVERN-ing way! Wow…this sheds a whole new light on the phrase GOVERN-MENTAL decisions, does it not?!!
If we are not intentionally proactive in ‘armoring up’ with God (thereby keeping our connection clear to hear our Shepherd’s voice), we are at risk of unknowingly succumbing to the prince of the world’s GOVERN-MENTAL influence and manipulation.
Try this now. Ask yourself these questions:
What, or who, is most influencing my decision about who I will vote for…
Is it the daily television news reports?
Is it what my teachers, friends or social media feeds are telling me?
Is it being affiliated with a political party that is “just what my family has always been…”?
Is it the opinions of Hollywood stars or music idols?
Is it the current culture’s definition of what is right and what is wrong?
These are hard questions to ask ourselves, but VERY important ones. Just as it did with Adam and Eve, life and death depend on the answers. The life and death of laws (which mandate our legal system). The life and death of freedoms and liberties (which determine what we can and cannot do and say). Even the life of unborn people depend on it (a hot button topic, I know…but God CARES about it deeply…and He’ll guide you into all truth if you ask Him to)!
I once believed much differently than I do now about certain issues, laws and policies. When I decided to bring Faith Forward in my life, putting God in the driver’s seat of every area and seeking FIRST His Kingdom above all else (Matthew 6:33), He opened my eyes to the way He sees things. And I have to tell you, trading my “I” sight in for His eyesight is the BEST decision I ever made!
If you’ve asked yourself the above questions, and you’re feeling a tingle of realization that maybe you’ve been leaning on “the prince of the world” rather than “The Prince of Peace” in politics, I have GOOD NEWS for you. It’s God News ! The God News is, He will guide you into all truth (John 16:13), because He is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33). All you have to do is ask Him to! When we are willing to lay down “our” way of thinking, “our” way of doing things, and most importantly “our” pride, it is amazing how God takes our “willing” and shapes it toward His will. And just in case we need a reminder of what His will is…
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - (Jeremiah 29:11).
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
So, I’ll cast my vote for The Prince of Peace and Lord of Lords. There is no one better than God Almighty to carry the government upon His shoulders, which is where His Word says the GOVERNment is MEANT to be. So I lean into Him for who is the “right” choice… no matter what the ‘world’ is saying. The Great I AM guides me at the polling place… and I pray that He will guide you, too!
We came. We prayed. We VOTED!
reSOURCEs:
Scriptures about God’s guidance and truth: OpenBible.info
*Forerunner Commentary on Matthew 4:8-9: Bibletools.org
How should a Christian view separation of church and state? GotQuestions.org