Matthew 22:21 “They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”
Throughout history, there have been excellent and great nations, and there have been wicked and oppressive ones as well. Wherever you find yourself today, rejoice in that this world does not hold all there is for the child of God. But, no matter what type of country you reside, God has given us principles to abide by.
Questions arise – Should we pay taxes that fund such wickedness?
Matthew 17:27 “Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.”
Should we stand against a corrupt and oppressive government?
Romans 13:1-2 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”
Should we teach others to rebel and resist?
Titus 3:1 “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,”
How should we treat those in authority?
1 Peter 2:13-14 “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.”
To force anyone country into a theocracy would never work. It must be the will of the people to desire God as their authority and submit willingly. That is why we read:
Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”
So, we come to whether or not a nation will rise or fall, succeed or fail:
Proverbs 14:34 “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”
My country, the United States of America, was founded on biblical principles and has been a blessed nation to be sure. Our founding fathers believed that if a soul were given the liberty and freedom to choose right, they would choose God. Our government was set up to allow those freedoms of speech, enterprise, religion, and much more.
They left a monarchy and a state-imposed religion to create a place that would allow God to be God and men to have the freedoms to live as God would direct.
For most of our history, we have been a nation that has sent out missionaries to evangelize the world. But they also realized that for this ‘experiment’ to work, it must be run by moral men. You see, when the morality is gone, everything is up for sale.
Today, my country has killed over 50 million unborn babies; allowed wickedness to be exalted and righteousness condemned. Even the city in which I live has ranked in the top five cities and voted as the drunkest city in the United States. We have legalized sin. We are on the verge of legalizing drug use.
Today, my nation celebrated 244 years of existence – young compared to many. It brings to mind the many revivals that have come to England, Scotland, Wales, Philippines, Hebrides Islands, Great Britain, Australia, Europe, and even within these United States.
The mainstream media would have believed that all is lost and that it is the only government that can save us. We must understand that God alone has the power to save any nation that would wholly submit to God and seek His face.
It must first start with the church.
2 Chronicles 7:14 “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.”
On a personal and individual basis, we all must realize that for God to prevail, we, His children, must be in submission and humble obedience to Him before He will ever move in revival. It starts individually. Then, in prayer, the fire will spread to others as we all seek the God of Heaven and His righteousness.
Oh, that our hearts would indeed yearn for the revival that would shake our countries for Christ! Far too often, we give up on God moving and apathetically wait for God to do something. It is He who awaits His children to do that which He has commanded us to do.
Then, the type of kingdom we can have here on earth will resemble more of that which we will enjoy in Heaven.
Pray for revival – personally; within your own heart. Then, when He is alive and revived in us, we can bring others who are likeminded alongside us. When it is pure, genuine, and real, God moves.
Daily Manna 