God works in all things (even in bad government).
Romans 13:1-2 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.
You think your government is bad? Most of the people that have the opportunity to read this will be in a country that gives them a better situation in life than the people that are mentioned in the Bible.
Remember the favor that the Israelite's enjoyed when they first arrived in Egypt? It didn't take long for it to disappear after Joseph's death. God allowed an oppressive government to rule his people and bring them great harm even though there isn't any indication that God's people deserved any of it. God allowed a paranoid leader to oppress his people as a part of a bigger plan.
The New Testament scriptures listed above are easy for Americans to read but application is not going to happen most of the time. We are pretty sure that it is the end of the world if our candidates do not win.
We forget that Peter and Paul wrote the scriptures to respect and pray for the Roman government that was so harsh to them. What the government meant for evil was a part of God's plan for good to spread the gospel as his people scattered further away from Jerusalem.
We forget who is in control and whose purposes will ultimately prevail. God allows good and bad governments for his purpose and plan for human history.
Daniel 2:20-21 “Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings.We forget that this world must get much worse off before the end of time. I am not predicting that the end of the world is here if my candidate doesn't win but at some point the badness of our world will never turn around and improve.
Jeremiah 29:7 And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”We forget that we are ambassadors in a foreign land, we are here to persuade the government and the people of this land but ultimately we cannot force them to behave a certain way or make them view our country as a better place than their own.
2 Timothy 4:18 Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.We forget that we will arrive safely in Heaven no matter how much we are truly persecuted or even put to death! Injustice will be a part of this broken world, some will face more of it than others and it will always seem unfair when it happens to you.
It is too easy to get overly involved in the cares of this world and lose our perspective. We should try to have a positive affect on the things of this world and be an influence for good but we shouldn't be too upset when things don't go our way.
