Psalm 119: Focus On God's Word Pt. 66 Evil Politicians May Afflict Us & We Must Pray For Them.

Psalm 119:17-22  GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. 18) Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. 19) I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. 20) My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times. 21) Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments. 22) Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies. 

We are nearing the end of this eight verse section of Psalm 119. We have two more verses to consider before we move on. 

People in power often speak evil of Christians. 

Psalm 119:23  Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

In this verse the Psalmist describes his trouble and his remedy. He encountered trouble from people who spoke malicious things against him. His remedy was turning his thoughts to the wonderful word of God. 

It is a fact that the darkness hates the light and those who live in darkness will be arrayed against those who are Christians, called out of the darkness into the kingdom of Light. 

Evil politicians seek to pass laws to harm Christians. 

Psalm 94:20,21  Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law? 21) They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood. 

If Christ rejecters reach places of political power, they often enact laws that harm believers in Christ. History is full of examples. 

These are people who attempt to pass morally corrupt legislation. An example are those who legislated abortion at any time during pregnancy and who endorse using vile, tortuous methods of killing the baby in the womb.

Truly, these people set themselves in array against God's holy law, and they condemn the innocent blood of unborn babies. 

This is why Jesus warned His disciples to beware of evil minded political or religious rulers for they will seek opportunities to betray believers and silence their testimony for Christ (Matthew 10:17-18).

God chose that which is foolish to overthrown the plans of the wise. 

1 Corinthians 1:26-29  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27)  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28)  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29)  That no flesh should glory in his presence. 

When the church of Christ was birthed on the day of Pentecost, and Christianity began to spread in the world, not many noble, wise or mighty people were called to Christ. 

Rather, God uses those whom the world sees as foolish, to confound the evil plans of those who want power over all people. God uses weak believers like us to disrupt the plans of the powerful elites. 

They see the gospel of Christ and the preaching of the cross as foolishness but we know it is the power of God unto salvation (1 Corinthians 1:187-21). 

Jehovah is our shelter and defense.

Psalm 94:22-23  But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge. 23)  And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off. 

Why would God allow political or religious leaders to hatch their evil plans against His word and His people? 

Because God will show that His kingdom marches on in spite of man's futile efforts to derail it. 

He also uses their evil speech to help wean us from any dependency we might have regarding political or religious institutions. 

Many professing believers in America think we must elect people who will protect our religious liberty. They become overly concerned about political power instead of recognizing that we are in spiritual warfare. 

Therefore, we must not pursue political remedies but spiritual ones. As the Psalmist says, Jehovah is our defense and He is our refuge providing shelter during times of trouble. 

He will not let these evil talkers get away with their sins. He will judge them and mete out the appropriate punishment to each one of them. 

The gospel of Christ must go out.

Matthew 28:18-20  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19)  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

Another purpose God permits when allowing evil people to afflict us, is that He will use such affliction as an opportunity for us to be witnesses for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus commands us to go out into all nations to share the gospel of Christ, to teach sound doctrine to new believers and to baptize them in the name of the trinity. 

His gospel must be preached to all nations, and situations of affliction are often great opportunities to share our faith. 

Some will afflict us due to ignorance. 

John 16:1,2  These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2)  They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 

Why do politicians and religious leaders often persecute believers in Christ? Sometimes, these antagonistic ones have misguided zeal or they labor in ignorance. 

Paul experienced both aspects of these issues as Saul of Tarsus. He had zeal but not according to knowledge. He killed Christians in ignorance because he did not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Some will seek to persecute believers because they are prejudiced against us, against the Bible, and against Jesus Christ. Jesus exposed the religious Pharisees who opposed Him. He said that the Devil was their father and this is why they spread lies and sought to kill Messiah (John 8:44). 

Entrenched leaders fight to keep their life of ease. 

John 11:47,48  Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. 48)  If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. 

Some politicians and religious leaders are too comfortable and used to living in ease and luxury. They will not tolerate anything that threatens their lifestyle. 

Remember who we serve: Christ the Lord of glory!

James 2:1  My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 

James teaches us that we should not measure how valid our faith is by those who support it or are against it. Jesus Christ alone is the Lord of glory and He is able to put glory on the sheep of His pasture. 

Press onward in spite of opposition. 

2 Timothy 2:3,4  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4)  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 

We must be hardened like a good soldier of Christ to endure words of hate or reproaches spoken against us, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Those who seek to cause us misery or affliction are the same ones who need to hear the gospel of Christ. 

We must see these people as God does. Sheep who have gone far astray. Can God save the most vile of sinners, the most wretched ones who reproach our faith? Yes, He will save those who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. 

Pray for those who govern us. 

1 Timothy 2:1-4  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2)  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3)  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4)  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 

Therefore, our response to those who sit in power over us, is to remember that God sets rulers in place and He deposes them. Therefore, it is our Christian duty to pray for them. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

This is God's will for us. Pray for those very rulers who govern with evil intentions. Pray that they may allow us live a quiet and peaceful life of service to Christ. Pray for their souls to be converted to Christ. 

There are many politicians who endorse things that are clearly condemned by the Word of God. There are many religious leaders who exhort people to kill those who disagree with their faith. 

Therefore, we have many people to pray for and many things to take to the Lord in prayer. 

May the Lord Jesus Christ guide us so that we might do His will and honor Him in all things. We commit our lives to Him because He alone is trustworthy and He will never let us down or disappoint us. 

We must put our gospel armor on and be good soldiers for Christ as we engage in spiritual warfare. 

We can thank our Lord for moving the Psalmist to teach us these valuable truths, so that we know how to respond with faith that honors God. 

Bob