That is the word that captured my attention: Established. It means brought about, built, settled securely. It makes me think about deep roots and history and familiarity.

When David was crowned king, his mighty men supported him, and the king of Tyre sent messengers to him with workmen and supplies to build David a house.

“And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel.” 1 Chronicles 14:2, NIV

He was established and exalted (lifted up, carried, supported) by God. Not for his own sake, but for the sake of Israel.

Paul prayed that we would be established in love, with Christ dwelling in our hearts, so that we can understand that love and be “filled with the fullness of God.” Eph. 3:14-19

God chose David because of his heart, and because He wanted his people to be led by a king who would not seek glory for himself, but to benefit Israel by pointing them back to God. Hundreds of years of Jewish history are recorded for us to see that when they were led by people who sought to please God, so did the people. When they were led by men who forgot God, so did the people. When their leaders sowed wickedness and idolatry, the people reaped the consequences of God’s justified, righteous anger.

Our nation’s governments, from school boards to state governments to the federal level, are currently full of many leaders who do not understand the Love of God. They are not pursuing God or pointing our people back to Him. They are chasing the darkness, living in sin, elevating–teaching–and encouraging sinful practices, and punishing those who disagree with them. Most of them fill positions that are only established for 4 year terms. They, in turn, establish others in appointed positions. And our people are reaping consequences for their unwise choices (to put it mildly). If our nation continues down this path, we have only tasted what is coming.

God’s word tells us to pray “for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 2 Timothy 2:2

There’s that same idea. We are to pray for our leaders, for our sake. We should be praying for:

• their repentance
• their salvation
• their daily obedience to/pursuit of God
• that they will have a hunger for His Word
• and be transformed by the renewing of their minds
• that they will teach and encourage Godly practices
• that they will have wisdom in leading our country… in all the “stuff.”

We should be praying from a genuine desire to please God and a genuine love for them, because God loves them. He would rather save them than punish them. We should also be praying for our future leaders, that they will lead like David did, men and women after God’s own heart. We need to study our Bibles to know what God’s heart is concerned with, to be able to discern truth in these dark times, and to understand what qualifies a person to lead.

What are our political platforms? A platform is an altar. When we go to vote, we need to know what is on those altars. Are we elevating God? Or idols? If we aren’t for God, we are against Him. It’s just that simple.

Dear God,

Please give us your wisdom and understanding as we read the Bible and seek to know your will. We want to be for you. Father, we repent for our leaders who are directing our country and our youth away from you. We pray for their salvation and maturity in Christ, that they and our future leaders will be Godly men and women who will steer this country toward you. Show us where our hearts need to be changed. Shape our lives and our families after your heart. Bring us revival. For the sake of your people, God, we pray.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

Images by eko pramono and johnnyA_NZ from Pixabay