Meditation in the Word

"Lord, Give us Righteous Rulers"

October, 2008

Proverbs 29:2
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

In the United States of America, we are one month away form the election of a new president. All who know how to intercede must diligently pray that the right candidate for this time be elected. However, whether you are a U.S. citizen are a person from another country, your sentiment should be the same as ours, that those in authority be people of righteousness and integrity. History is replete with examples of unrighteous rulers who caused those under their rule to suffer greatly, both in Biblical times as well as our modern day. The scripture for meditation clearly states that “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked rule the people mourn.” Let us just look briefly at this scripture as we cry out to God for righteous rulers.

What constitutes righteous rulers? This question can be answered succinctly when we understand the meaning of the word righteous. Webster defines it as, “always behaving according to a religious or moral code.” Vines Expository Dictionary amplifies the meaning to include “those who are upright, conforming to God’s laws, and who pursue after righteousness.” For those of us who are citizens of the U.S, the moral code our country was founded on is God’s Word as set forth in the Holy Bible. Our forefathers based the social institutions as well as the legal structure of this country on the Word of God. This is the way that God would have any nation to live, according to His Word.

One who rules righteously will follow God’s laws. The law of God is based on the Ten Commandments which Jesus summarized for one of the religious leaders of His day as a twofold commandment, to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself. Righteous rulers will honor God in laws that affirm the sanctity of life for those who are yet in the womb, the importance of the family as God originally created it to be, as well as the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman. Righteous laws must be legislated by Judges who have as their standard the law of God as opposed to their own humanistic ways of thinking. There are many anti-Christ forces at work in the world today to nullify the Godly influence of a society, which is all the more reason that we must diligently pray for righteous leaders and rulers. Proverbs 14:34 tells us that “righteousness exalts a nation”, meaning that when a nation has righteous rulers, it causes that nation to be elevated by God. This scripture goes on to say, “…but sin is a reproach to any people.” If a nation fails to honor the law of God, it will be marred by the reproach of unrighteousness.

Finally, as people of God, we must do our part to pray and decree God’s Word over our nation. 1Chronicles 7:14 admonishes us with these words, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Let us join together as we pray with the utmost sincerity, “Lord give us righteous rulers.”

Scripture Reading: 1Timothy 2:1-4

Recent Newsletters
"Lord, Give us Righteous Rulers" October, 2008
"It's Harvest Time" September, 2008
"You Have a Destiny in God" August, 2008
"Jesus is Coming Back" July, 2008
"Lord, Purify My Heart" June, 2008
"Are You Rich Toward God?" May, 2008
"Is God Your Father?" April, 2008
"Obedience to God" March, 2008
"Trust in the Lord" February, 2008
"A Matter of Choice" January, 2008

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