The Government is drinking but the nation is in confusion - Daily Devotional November 28th 2009

Daily Bible Reading - Esther 3-4, Amos 8, Philemon 1

The Government is drinking but the nation is in confusion

I do not write about politics much in the devotional, which is a bit of a tragedy seeing as the Bible is the final authority on all matters of life including politics. As we read through Esther over the next several weeks, we will begin to see just how much the Bible does have to say about politics. Everything we need to know from voting to praying for those who are in authority is right here in the Bible. It has been said that the greatest way to bring spiritual change in a nation is to get involved politically and if anyone has something to say it is probably God, through His Word.

Esther 3:15 says, "...the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was thrown into confusion". Anytime the governing officials of a city or nation have peace and joy in their hearts while the rest of the people are in confusion something is off. Yet this is where we find ourselves today as a nation. Although we must always honor and pray for those in authority, we do not always have to agree with what they are doing. The story of Esther is a clear example of this principle. In this story Haman, a man appointed by the King, is working his own agenda behind the scenes which directly assaults the people of God. It is this secret agenda and attack against the people of God that creates the confusion in the city.

Anytime man promotes his own agenda rather then the plans and purposes of God it ultimately creates confusion amongst people and eventually throughout a whole nation. Throughout the Bible you see this played out time and time again. The people put God first and there is joy and peace. Then we see the people not put God first and there is confusion. What we need to realize is that even though we might be called a "christian nation" we are not living as such and therefore we are a people in confusion just like the children of Israel when they walked away from God. In a holiday season when many should be celebrating, we are in one of the worst economies we have ever been in. Homelessness and unemployment are on the rise, homes are depreciating in value, people are concerned about healthcare and government bailouts. To put it plain and simple our nation is in confusion just like it was in the days of Esther.

I know that there are many concerned people working in our government for good, yet I also realize there are many Haman's pushing their own agendas which are contrary to the plan and purpose of God. All of this makes me wonder if while the nation is in confusion is the government drinking?

The answer to this confusion and chaos seems simple, start pursuing God and get rid of all the Hamans in your government and the confusion will stop. It says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land". The answer is and always has been turn to God. If we want to see unemployment decrease, turn to God. If we want to see healthcare issues handled, turn to God. God has the answer and God is the answer. But while the government officials are sitting together drinking the nation still remains in confusion.

Let's take some time today to pray for our nation, our government. Let's pray that God would turn the hand of our government and believe that our land will be healed. As you continue to read on in the book of Esther you will see that God's will prevails and his people are saved. I believe this nation can be those people.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Esther 5-6, Amos 9, Hebrews 1-2

Dream Big
Ben