OUR RULERS ARE CORRUPT!

READ PSALM 82

HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO A WORLD LED BY UNGODLY RULERS?

Psalm 82:1-4

God has taken his place in the divine council;

in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:

“How long will you judge unjustly

and show partiality to the wicked? Selah

Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;

maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.

Rescue the weak and the needy;

deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

Have you ever wondered what God is thinking or doing about the wicked rulers of this world? How long will they be able to continue in their unjust ways? How long will their wicked decisions go unchallenged by God?

The psalmist is calling upon God to provide justice to the afflicted and the destitute. His desire is to see that the defenseless are cared for.

Observing the rulers, he has no hope for them to change, as they are without knowledge.

Psalm 82:5

They have neither knowledge nor understanding,

they walk about in darkness;

all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

They live in darkness, their deeds are morally wrong against God, and they have no knowledge of what is morally good. They act and live as if their power was in their own hands.

Psalm 82:6-7

I said, “You are gods,

sons of the Most High, all of you;

nevertheless, like men you shall die,

and fall like any prince.”

Although they have been placed in their position of authority by God, He can revoke their authority at any time. They will die like all those who came before them, and the end of their reigns will come when God, the Most High, ordains.

We live in different times from those of the children of Israel, but we, too, witness corrupt leaders making decisions against all godliness. Murdering children is not only approved, but it is encouraged. The destruction of the family is endorsed. Injustice is a way of life, and corruption is the norm.

Is God aware? Has the world been left without control or restraint?

The psalmist pleads for God to come and judge.

Psalm 82:8

Arise, O God, judge the earth;

for you shall inherit all the nations!

As believers, we should be encouraged to know that God is in total control. He uses rulers for His eternal purposes. God is both judging the evil of man and attracting His own to Himself. We can rest assured that we are not in the hands of our leaders, but ultimately in the hands of our wise, careful, and lovingly sovereign God. God knows how to care for the weak and defenseless.

What should we do?

SUBMIT TO OUR AUTHORITIES

Romans 13:1

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

Titus 3:1

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

HONOR THEM AND PAY OUR TAXES

Romans 13:7

Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

PRAY FOR THEM

1 Timothy 2:1-2

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Let us not forget that when Paul wrote these passages, the believers were suffering because of the ungodliness of their rulers. Paul had unjustly suffered much. His desire was that he would be faithful in witnessing and being an example for the believers.

Dear friends, may our reactions to our leaders be in tune with what God desires for us. May the corruption of this world give us a greater longing for heaven and drive us to witness faithfully to the lost.