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Friday, March 25, 2022
David's Big Test, and Ours. Shall I kill Saul for you? (I Samuel 26:1-12...
Today's study is a little different. We look less at content, and more at context, and that's hard. We zero in on what really matters -- God's intent. Join us in studying a very debatable portion of Scripture. Here's the link: https://youtu.be/Usbj1_oyaxI
I must admit that there are times when I wished that God would supernaturally remove or bring an end to the leadership that is guided by wickedness. However I can't find any examples where Paul told the church to pray for the demise of someone in power and he lived in a time of some pretty evil rulers.Sometimes God chose to bring a sudden end at a time of His own choosing such as the event we read of in Acts 12:23 where God struck down Herod "And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost." But scripture doesn't indicate that it was in response to anyone's prayer. In spite of the cruel wicked leaders in Paul's time he told us to pray for them. So no matter how much I hate seeing Christians being harassed and disadvantaged and ungodly agendas being pursued here and in the US, the right response for me is not the natural ones of anger and hatred but the need to pray that God will change their hearts. Thanks, Ken, I needed that reminder.
ReplyDeleteHi Bob: Thank you for this excellent commentary on a very difficult topic. I took a slightly different perspective as you might have imagined. However, I believe there's room for discussion and agreement. I am referring you to an article I read that is well researched (although this person was all about removing President Trump -- so I discard that aspect of their thinking). His points though and biblical references are well worth looking into. You are correct, there is no verse that spells out the words, "pray for X and Y to be gone". But there are other verses that we somehow need to explain -- many of them from David himself. I have no trouble praying for leaders -- especially for their salvation, as human beings. If I were to pray for their removal -- it would be from their office because of the godless job they are doing. To me it is like removing a pitcher that can't throw strikes or in fact, is throwing the game.
ReplyDeleteI cannot draw a fine line between David crying out for that to happen to his enemies and as praying about it.
Anyway, here's the link to that article. I'd really value your input after that.
https://www.faiththeevidence.com/faith-evidence-blog-_1/what-does-the-bible-say-about-praying-for-the-removal-of-wicked-leaders
Blesings. Ken.