“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6, ESV)
Anyone tired of politics? The presidential race seems more absurd than ever before. We talk about the clowns we have to choose from, and it gives us something about which to complain. We wonder why there never seems to be that perfect candidate.
Maybe the reason we are so disappointed with politics is because we look to for a human system to fix what only God can fix. Human solutions to the world’s problems will never fix what is broken. But the candidates promise us the world. They tell us they will accomplish what no ruler before them was able to do.
The issues we face today are no different than the issues faced throughout the centuries. The names of the issues may have changed but at the heart, the “issues” are all the same. The issues are caused by sin. As long as there are sinful people living in this world there will be issues.
In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray for God’s kingdom to come. It is not the kingdom of Obama, Trump, or Hillary. It is the Kingdom of God. It is a reign of perfect peace and freedom from the consequences of sin.
The mission of the church is about the kingdom of God. Jesus talks about the kingdom of God as much as he talks about anything else. His mission was to bring the kingdom of God to us. It is a kingdom where perfect peace reigns. There is no more sorrow. In the kingdom, we leave behind the cares of the world.
Spiritually speaking, there are two kingdoms. There is the kingdom of light and there is the kingdom of darkness. There is the realm of God, and there is the realm of the evil one called Satan. Every sphere of our life is ruled by one or the other. There is no middle ground. Every day there is a battle that is waged for our souls. It is spiritual warfare.
It is not like a battle fought between the armies of nations. It is a battle for our mind and hearts. Right now there is one realm advancing against the other. The question you want to ask is what realm is advancing in your life? Is it the realm of God or is it the realm of the evil one? Who is it that captures your thoughts and imagination? What kingdom are you working to build?
Know that Jesus is the King of all kings. He rules and reigns supreme. Before Jesus gave the great commission, he said, “All authority on heaven and earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). Even though there are times it seems like the darkness is winning, Jesus will one day exert his full authority over all things and bring to and end all the pain and suffering of this world.
But the kingdom is not some far off dream world. The kingdom of God is for us to experience today. We may not experience the fullness of it as long as the battle wages for our hearts and minds. But even today Jesus will reign your life with his peace. So what does it look like for the reign of God in your life? What does it look like for him to reign supreme? How would your life look different if God truly reigned in your marriage, your finances, your parenting, and your business?
Question for Reflection
- What do you think that it means the “government will be on his shoulders?”
- What is the kingdom of God?
- How is the kingdom of God made a reality today?
- Share your comments.
Doug Weise says
Our country’s best hope is most certainly through our God…and, hopefully, He will demonstrate His will and authority through the election, in 2016, of stalwart Christian leaders: President Ben Carson and Vice-President Ted Cruz. This could result in responsible, Constitutional leadership there for the next 16 years, God willing.