MAKING A NATION GREAT
And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? Deut. 4:8, N.I. V.
We often hear news reports of "bloodless coups d'etat," in which some country's government has been overthrown by key people within its own ruling class. These self-asserted leaders, who sometimes turn out to be national heroes to succeeding generations, usually claim their right to take over the government because the previous leaders were mismanaging the country. They claim to offer a better form of government.
That is precisely the charge that Lucifer brought against God when the rebellion began in heaven! Though Lucifer's coup attempt was not successful, God did not count Himself to be victorious simply because He had removed Lucifer and his followers from the seat of government. Questions had been raised that would linger in the minds of all of those who lived within God's realm. Since God relishes free, thoughtful loyalties, won without force or coercion, He had but one option. He had to demonstrate the actual superiority of His government so that His people might make informed choices to live with Him.
We earthbound children of the King are also invited to cast our own votes--indeed our destinies--in this great conflict. But we who live such short lives, who operate with such a miniature reference point, who barely comprehend what we see (much less the unseen), and whose thought processes so readily get lost somewhere between "cause" and "effect"--how shall we see the government of God in operation, that we might properly cast our votes of loyalty?
Our Father, who has always specialized in parables, has given us an acted parable, a lived demonstration tailored for our level of understanding, of the government of God. He has given us principles for human government that, when put into practice, give us glimpses of His goodness. Admittedly adapted for sinful people, these principles still demonstrate God's respect for each one's personhood, dignity, and freedom. They exalt the power of love and cooperation, and offer provision for restoring the errant. Revealed most extensively through Moses and richly amplified by Jesus Christ, these principles for human government are clearly the best that this sin-burdened planet could ever know.
God's desire for Israel, and for all who find His government to be wise and gracious, is that all nations should come to know the greatness of a God who governs so wonderfully.
And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? Deut. 4:8, N.I. V.
We often hear news reports of "bloodless coups d'etat," in which some country's government has been overthrown by key people within its own ruling class. These self-asserted leaders, who sometimes turn out to be national heroes to succeeding generations, usually claim their right to take over the government because the previous leaders were mismanaging the country. They claim to offer a better form of government.
That is precisely the charge that Lucifer brought against God when the rebellion began in heaven! Though Lucifer's coup attempt was not successful, God did not count Himself to be victorious simply because He had removed Lucifer and his followers from the seat of government. Questions had been raised that would linger in the minds of all of those who lived within God's realm. Since God relishes free, thoughtful loyalties, won without force or coercion, He had but one option. He had to demonstrate the actual superiority of His government so that His people might make informed choices to live with Him.
We earthbound children of the King are also invited to cast our own votes--indeed our destinies--in this great conflict. But we who live such short lives, who operate with such a miniature reference point, who barely comprehend what we see (much less the unseen), and whose thought processes so readily get lost somewhere between "cause" and "effect"--how shall we see the government of God in operation, that we might properly cast our votes of loyalty?
Our Father, who has always specialized in parables, has given us an acted parable, a lived demonstration tailored for our level of understanding, of the government of God. He has given us principles for human government that, when put into practice, give us glimpses of His goodness. Admittedly adapted for sinful people, these principles still demonstrate God's respect for each one's personhood, dignity, and freedom. They exalt the power of love and cooperation, and offer provision for restoring the errant. Revealed most extensively through Moses and richly amplified by Jesus Christ, these principles for human government are clearly the best that this sin-burdened planet could ever know.
God's desire for Israel, and for all who find His government to be wise and gracious, is that all nations should come to know the greatness of a God who governs so wonderfully.
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