‘God is wise and powerful! Praise Him forever and ever. He controls the times and the seasons; He makes and unmakes Kings; it is He who gives wisdom and understanding’ (Daniel 2:20-21)
Introduction
God is the almighty Creator and holds the nations of the world in His hand. He is supreme and sovereign over every nation and ruler on earth.
God makes and unmakes kings
Though in the human eyes, the future of a nation appears to be in the hands of its rulers and lawmakers, an omnipotent hand is orchestrating a good and glorious plan: the Lord is the one who ‘removes kings and establishes kings’ (Daniel 2:21). Ultimately every governmental leader is put into office, not merely by voters, political campaigns, or personal abilities, but by the hand of God. He is working all things according to His divine plan. At times as religious people we tend to think that a ruler have to be righteous for God to use him, but Proverbs 21:1 tells us that the Lord can direct the heart of any national leader wherever He wishes. In fact, He described two pagan kings – Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus – as ‘My servant’ (Jeremiah 25:9) and ‘My shepherd’ (Isaiah 44:28).
Pray for kings and all who are in authority
God’s plan for this world are moving along according to His Divine purposes, and no unrighteous ruler can thwart Him. In fact, God guided their paths to fulfill His purposes for Israel. Therefore, our responsibility as believers and citizens is to pray for our nations and leaders. Scriptures tells us to pray for kings and all who are in authority: ‘first of all, I urge that petitions, prayers, requests, and thanksgiving be offered to God for all peoples; for kings and all others in authority, that they may live a quiet and peaceful life with reverence towards God and with proper conduct. (1 Timothy 2:1-2). After carefully observing the godless and reckless condition of our nations, we readily realize the need for change and believe that prayers will help us make a difference in achieving God’s purposes for our nations.
God waits for us to ask for His intervention in faith
The InTouch Magazine observes that our problem is not the Lord’s promise or power, but with our lack of faith. We so much focus on the enormity of the problems or the power of those in office, and we lose sight of our sovereign God who waits for us to ask for His intervention. Political, socio-economic policies and legislation are not ultimately determined in conference rooms and government chambers, but in prayers closets. The voices that shape the direction of a nation are not necessarily those that ring out in legislative halls, but those that approach the throne room of God with bold faith (Hebrews 4:16). Every authority on earth can be touched by the power of prayer if we are willing to ask and believe God. Why then have we waited so long to pray; and keep wondering and asking why God has waited so long in changing the country. A country that ignores or rejects God and His Word will suffer the consequences of that choice.
Consequences of ignoring godly principles
When a nation begins to ignores godly principles, truth becomes relative as false philosophies and ‘liberated thinking’ take root. Leaders tend to consider themselves advanced and intellectual, but in reality, if they are separated from God, their thinking is foolish and their understanding darkened (Ephesians 4:17-18). A society always behaves according to its belief system. A nation will continue its downward spiral into depravity when sin becomes acceptable in the eyes of the people; when sensuality and self-gratification dominates the national desire leading to greed, immorality and violence; and injustice reaches its peak when laws permit the killing of the most helpless, vulnerable, defenseless and innocent of all its citizens, especially the unborn children.
Our experience as a nation
As a nation, we are experiencing a man-made scourging poverty compounded by violence, injustice, insecurity, corruption and greed. We are experiencing political leadership that seek to foster divisions based on ethnic and religious differences. We are experiencing socio-economic and political circumstances that feels tough and unbearable; our questions and prayers appear to go unanswered, our faith is faltering and God seems distant. Yes, even when we do not see immediate change and response to our prayers, we must still believe and trust God’s faithfulness.
God is faithful
God is one hundred percent reliable and trustworthy, and His faithfulness does not depend upon our circumstances, our feelings, or even our own faithfulness. We should trust Him more while looking for a political leadership that is committed to healing divisions, bridging differences and creating truly harmonious society. Despite our national hardships, challenges and injustice, we must remain positive and determined to create a better future for our fatherland. The hopes, aspirations and destiny of our people lie in our hands as leaders. So, we must help them improve their livelihood and social status, encouraging them to take active part in community and national decisions, and to work for equity and equality.
Blessing for leaders who honor and obey God
Because government is instituted by God as His minister for good (Romans 13:4), it functions best when leaders honor and obey Him. Righteous leaders have tremendous potentials to affect their nations for good. The Lord will support those who fear Him and seek His wisdom and direction for their decisions. Central to the purpose of life is true peace and happiness with God. In fact, God has given us the birthright to be happy as his children, and also conferred on us the very duty and responsibility of protecting and safeguarding life with the greatest care; but why has true peace eluded our grasp? I think that we have refused to listen to the voice of conscience, and now our consciences confront us as our accusers. Today our faces too carry stories of anguish and hope, and we’re all crying out desperately for peace, security and justice in the world.
Perhaps, the society is veering away from God. Is God irritated, disappointed and down furious with us because of our atrocities? Is He annoyed with the great war of values in the modern society brought about by globalization, secularization, and the increasing social changes resulting to moral decadence in our society? Why does He not just stop all these inhuman brutalities and catastrophic natural disasters?
Question to God whose sovereignty controls the Universe
These stories of the terrible violence and horrendous disasters around the world broke our hearts and challenge our faith. These horrific tragedies leaves us confused and bewildered, as we’re finding it hard to believe in a God whose Sovereignty controls the Universe, and yet allows these tragedies to happen. Though we believe that all peoples are under his protection, and trust that his mercy is our hope, we’re sometimes even tempted to express doubts and dissents over the efficacy of his power, and raise questions about these unexplainable tragedies. Well, this to me, is a very grave matter, one is apprehensive lest we embark upon continuous faithless questioning without due reflection of its implications and challenges.
Has God forgotten and abandoned His people?
The major Faiths of the world – Jewish, Christian, Islam and all religions preach and teach a God of Peace, and not war and brutality. But, why does God keep silent over the violent realities around us? Why does He not act? Has He forgotten and abandoned his people? Why can’t He make his power just a little more obvious? “I don’t know what I’m doing with my life. All members of my family have perished. I have nothing to live for or look forward to,” said a lucky survivor of a Gas explosion in India. “All I had has been washed away by the waves. I lost all the members of my family – wife, children, and grandmother. Now, I’m the only surviving person in the family. Everything is completely upside down,” cried a Tsunami survivor. Humanly speaking, we cannot digest and make a sense out of all these horrors and tragedies.
Conclusion
Yet in all these, God still remains the sovereign Lord of all. We are all in His hands. He has the ability to protect us in treacherous times. If we trust Him, He will uphold us and enable us to work in His ways, while leading us to safety amidst our doubts, fears and dangers.
Now is the time for action and living faith. We should stop paying lips service, submit to His Will and ask that He directs our family, community and national activities, because He’s got the whole world in His hand.
Rev. Fr. Michael Adefemi Adegbola, Director, Media Service Centre, Kaduna Nigeria, 2011
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