THE LORD SPOKE (December 28)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Zechariah 4-7

“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty. (Zech. 4:6)

In Zerubbabel’s day, when men thought of might and power they didn’t think of Zerubbabel or the Israelites who had returned to Zion. They thought of Cyrus and the Persians. Or Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians. Or Sennacherib and the Assyrians. Or maybe, if they dreamed of past glory, they thought of David and Solomon. But Zerubbabel?

The remnant that returned in Ezra and Nehemiah’s day was so small they had to draw lots to determine who would live in Jerusalem. In order to guarantee a sufficient population in the capitol, they had to designate inhabitants among those who returned from Babylon who would be required to take up residence. Hardly sounds like might and power.

We’re so caught up with might and power - from pickups to football teams. It’s a driving theme of America. It’s what has been severely shaken recently in the corporate world because of looming economic stress. It’s what we just watched at several levels being played out in an election campaign.

But Zechariah says not by might or power! Our reliance is to be on the Spirit of God. How exactly do you go about that? How do you reject other forms of might and power to follow Him?

STOP - It begins with stopping to take stock of where you are and what you’ve been doing. Are you trying to fix things in your own strength? Do you tend to make your plans and organize your resources and... and... and then pray?

LOOK - The place to find answers and direction is in the Scriptures. Since it was the Spirit that inspired them, it’s there that you will find His instructions. Look deeply into the Bible.

LISTEN - As you read Scripture, listen for the voice of God’s Spirit. Listen hard enough so you will hear His “still, small voice”. Listen with your ears and listen with your heart. In other words, don’t just be aware of what He says (listening with your ears), do it! You must obey - or listen with your heart.


Proverbs 28

What should be our attitude towards the law and questions of political right and wrong? Does our day-to-day civil life matter? Is God concerned with civics? Proverbs 28 would indicate that the answer is “yes”. It has much to say to both law-makers and law-keepers.

Law-Makers

• Rapid change of leadership is the result of lawlessness (Prov. 28:2) and should be! If you don’t maintain public order, may you be toppled from power, and that, right soon.
• Your laws should favor the poor (Prov. 28:3) for God is their Maker and is watching your attitudes. You dishonor Him when you oppress the poor and He will dishonor you (see Prov. 14:31).
• Allowing the continuation of bad laws (or no laws) will come back to bite you (Prov. 28:10).
• Measures must be taken to disfranchise, defrock, and depose evil men who find their way into power (Prov. 28:12). What would you do with a roaring lion or a charging bear? They must be stopped (Prov. 28:15).
• Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God. It’s impossible for any individual to rule alone - he must have tacit if not active support to succeed.

Law-Keepers

• If you keep the law, you have nothing to fear (Prov. 28:1). This is what Paul spelled out in detail elsewhere: “For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” (Rom. 13:3-4)
• Not keeping the law yourself amounts to support for law-breakers and evil men for they will take comfort in your example (Prov. 28:4). The best way to resist lawlessness is to keep the law yourself for this builds a society based on law.
• The first step towards civil law and justice is a proper knowledge of God (Prov. 28:5). This comes from His word. The Bible ought to be a part of everyman’s curriculum. It should be taught in our schools (or we should change our schools!).
• “A companion of gluttons” is a glutton too. This terminology is used in contrast to one who keeps the law (Prov. 28:7) because he does not exercise self-control.
• How can you talk to the God of perfect justice if you cherish injustice in your heart (Prov. 28:9)?
• If you live under evil magistrates in a democracy, let your voice be heard. If you don’t live where you have a voice, protect yourself by righteous living and ask God to overthrow them (Prov. 28:28).

That ought to be enough to keep Congress in session for awhile.