"VOTE FOR GOD'S CANDIDATE"

Good Evening To All!

This is somewhat a different kind of post for me. I have always enjoyed a Blog titled "Settled In Heaven" by Rob Barkman. He has told me in the past if I wanted to "use" some of his ideas or parts of his posts I was welcomed to do so. While we may have different beliefs because of denominational doctrine, I enjoy reading his blog, because we have a lot in common as well.

Anyway, USUALLY, I try to stay away from politics, but this post tonight is dealing with politics from God's point of view, so that's ok. There is no debate, just facts. There are no "parties involved, just one opinion that counts which is God's. I hope you will read this and take it to heart. I know what I'm going to do. I am going to print this out, and keep it by my table so that when I am watching a debate or someone campaigning, I can look at it and see how close they come to "God's standard of government official".

I didn't ask Rob to guest post (although I guess in a way that's what this is), but I left all of his links and urls in here so that he will be easy for you to find.

Psalm 72:1-14 (KJV)
1) [A Psalm] for Solomon. Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son.
2) He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
3) The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
4) He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
5) They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.
6) He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers [that] water the earth.
7) In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.
8) He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
9) They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.
10) The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
11) Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
12) For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and [him] that hath no helper.
13) He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
14) He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.

Reference Scriptures: Rom 13:1-7; 1Tim 2:1-3; 1Pet 2:13-17 The three remaining passages stressing government’s God given role.

In the Bible, we find many texts that help us to understand the God-given authority of human government such as the above passages. The one being studied tonight is Psalm 72;1-14.

I really enjoy his way of study because he speaks down to earth and his topics seem to be spot on with what I happen to be thinking about or my main concerns at the moment. He also doesn't mince words. He is not afraid to preach what is in the Bible, even though it may not be a popular subject and he doesn't try to "tickle one's ears" or just tell them what he thinks they want to hear.

“1) [A Psalm] for Solomon. Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son.”

Before Solomon could lead his nation in a way pleasing to the Lord, Solomon must be taught and graced by God. How true this is for the politicians of today… how can we expect our nation to be led in the paths laid by God, if our candidates have no knowledge of God’s will for government? How can we expect fallen, sinful men to properly lead our nation when the candidates are not relying on God’s wisdom and strength?

We now begin to look at the role of government as sanctioned by God:

1. a government is to make lawful, moral, decisions.

“2) He shall judge thy people with righteousness,”

2. a government is to uphold the rights of the poor, exercise compassion toward and help to meet the needs of those who cannot help themselves.

“3) He shall judge ….thy poor with judgment.”
“4) He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy,”
“12-13) For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and [him] that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.”

3. a government is to be a blessing to its people, working for their growth and advancement

“6 ) He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers [that] water the earth.”
(Roms 13:4 –“For he is the minister of God to thee for good.”)

4. a government is to support, and reward, the cause of those who align themselves with God’s laws

“7) In his days shall the righteous flourish;”
(Rom 13:3 – “do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:”)

5. a government is to work for peace among it’s people and other nations around them

“7) and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.”
(1 Tim 2:1-3 – “…supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made…For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”)

6. a government is to work to bring an end to the abuse of its people (especially the defenseless) through the punishment of evildoers.

“4) And shall break in pieces the oppressor.”
“14) He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.”
(Roms 13:3-5 – “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power?… But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil…Wherefore [ye] must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.”)
(1Pet 2:13-14 – “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man… as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.)

PRACTICAL APPLICATION:

For those who have trusted in Christ.

The need for us, as Christians, to let our voices be heard in the election process cannot be overemphasized. We should be voting for those who we believe best understand the role of government from God’s perspective. But also, we should be voting for those we believe will look to the Lord for guidance and strength as they attempt to lead our country in these troublesome days.

For those who have never trusted in Christ.

We are all confronted with the declining condition of our country. As our nation continues to turn from the Lord, and the principles found in His Word, our country’s condition will only get worse. For our country to turn around both the leaders and the common citizen must turn back to the Lord and seek to obey His commands. (2 Chron 7:14, Isa 55:6-7)

The most first thing you can do to please the Lord and fulfill His will for your life is to recognize your sinful condition and your need of salvation. Then turn from your sin, trust in Him as your Savior and seek to follow Him with your life.

If you have any questions concerning the way of salvation please feel free to visit or call a Bible teaching church in your area. They will be happy to speak to you about the Lord Jesus and the salvation He graciously gives.

Or, if you would rather, feel welcome to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com. I’ll be more than happy to answer any question you may have.

Also, if you look at my blog page “How To Have A Relationship With God”. On this page you will find several blog entries explaining the way of salvation.

Please visit the “Settled In Heaven Ministries” homepage –
http://www.settledinheaven.org

My Main Blog “Settled In Heaven” (updated twice weekly) – http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com

To see this lesson taught on video please go to my Video Blog at http://www.youtube.com/settledinheaven

If you have any questions concerning this blog, or if you have a subject you would like discussed, please feel free to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com. I will answer all emails via my blog, email, or both.

Take A Look At My Wife’s Artistic/Scriptural Devotion Blog http://alivewithchristart.blogspot.com

Follow my Squidoo Instructional Lens “Presenting God’s Grace” “The Solemn Obligation To Present the Doctrines of Grace to the Lost and Saved Alike” http://www.squidoo.com/presenting-gods-grace

May the Lord bless your study of His Word. Like God’s Word… may your soul’s salvation and your life’s faithfulness be “Settled in Heaven.”

God has told us the kind of person "He wants in office, now it is our job to make sure we get a person of His standards in the highest position in the land.

Rob, thank you for allowing me to use your material. I don't normally do this, but when I read it, it just tugged at my heart that this needed to be spread as far as possible.

Images: (1) Settled In Heaven Blog (2) America's Godly Heritage - Sadly which we are getting away from--(3) Holy Bible and Dove--We must get a leader who listens to God and lets the Holy Ghost guide his every move (4) God's Word is settled in Heaven-- what He has said WILL DEFINITELY come to pass.

The answers to last night's Bible Challenge are as follows:
1. c) Saul (1 Samuel 10:17-24)
2. b) David (2 Samuel 6:1-15)
3. b) Absalom (2 Samuel 15-18)
4. d) David promised him the throne (1 Kings 1:29-30)
5. True (1 Kings 3:4-14)
6. c) wealth and honor (1 Kings 3:10-13)
7. d) Israel (2 Kings 16:29-31)
8. False--it was the other way around (2 Kings 24:10-16, Ezra 1)
9. b) wicked return to idol worship (2 Chronicles 33)
10. a) King Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 2:1-8)

I hope you had fun and did well!

Good Night to All and May God Bless!