Hail to the King - Law Enforcement
My loves, and others, it has been too long since I've written a post. And I may, in a short time, alter the layout of my blog. Until then, I will be continuing the series titled 'Hail to the King'.
In the first post, I asked the question, "Who is your king?" and said, "That which rules us defines us and our lives." After that, I detailed what it looked like when we gave God or anything else authority, rule, kingship. In the second post, I briefly broadened the scope of what a kingship entails. I said, "The primary responsibility of a king was to maintain order and peace in his kingdom." There were multiple ways in which a king maintained order. The first was the establishment of law. I said, "Our peace and order are contingent upon our willingness to submit to God's authority and obey Him." I followed that up with, "Our internal peace and order are contingent upon our willful obedience to God. If we are willfully disobedient to God, there will be disorder and conflict within us; and we will cause disorder and conflict among others. God's law is designed to protect us and bring us peace."
Now, there's been a lot of fervor in the news lately over disputes between police and people. Some have considered and isolated it to a racial issue, police versus minorities. Others have considered it a broader issue of a military police ideology of intimidation and domination. They believe police are no longer out to serve and protect. They are out to embarrass, intimidate, and enforce the law, even minor ones, with physical and lethal force. They're in it for themselves. There's less of an ideology of duty and sacrifice, but fear, self-preservation, and cynicism. In truth, as citizens, our best defense against any imposing or opposing force, including those not acting according to their appropriate duty of protection, crime prevention, and law enforcement, is to obey God's law. It is our first line of defense. If you follow God's established law, your works will be a witness against your accuser(s).
Now God is our creator, the divine and ultimate authority over the universe. He is our king. One of the many promises made by our king is the protection of His citizens and the kingdom's resources. Our Father God is not just the lawmaker. He, either by His own hand or through His Son Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or His angels, is also the law enforcer, sheriff. Through His eyes and infinite knowing, He sees and knows all that has been, is, and will be, including the intentions, machinations, and constructions of the wicked. He is actively working in the benefit of His children, calling and leading them to righteousness, and disrupting the plots of the enemy against the righteous. He shows grace and mercy to all of us; but He hates sin, and will not condone wickedness.
There are some verses that continually come to mind when I feel I am under attack, when I feel I need protection. I will share two. My favorite two, Joshua 1:9 and Isaiah 41:10-13:
(I enjoy the constant assurance that no matter where I am, at what time, the LORD is with me. My Father stands at my side through all things.)
Behold, all who are incensed against you
shall be put to shame and confounded;
those who strive against you
shall be as nothing and shall perish.
You shall seek those who contend with you,
but you shall not find them;
those who war against you
shall be as nothing at all.
For I, the Lord your God,
hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, “Fear not,
I am the one who helps you.” ' - Isaiah 41:10-13, ESV
Now, I've been reading through the Old Testament most of this year. I've enjoyed reading and watching God stay true to His word, especially in regards to His chosen people, the people of Israel, the descendants of His faithful servant, Abraham. God brought them out of Egypt, displaying bits and bits of His power. Even though, at times, their loyalty to God was as flimsy as paper in the wind, He was good to them. He gave them the law; that "by keeping all His statutes and His commandments", they might live a long life of success. After which, He guided the faithful into their promised land. In the book of Joshua, He protected and supported them in battle as they claimed the land He had laid out for them. They destroyed the altars of false gods and demons. They claimed the lands of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. Joshua led them to victory with the Lord's protection and guidance. King Saul, while he was faithful, led them to victory over a few. King David, a man after God's heart, led Israel to victory and peace. King Solomon, while he was faithful, brought forth years of peace and prosperity to Israel.
Let me just step back and emphasize that God guided the faithful into their promised land. The faithful. The unfaithful generation, who witnessed the many great works of God and was originally led out of Egypt, did not see the promised land because of their unfaithfulness. They created a false god because of impatience and fear, while God's faithful servant Moses was away. The people were unfaithful to God on and off throughout multiple generations. If the people were disobedient and unfaithful, the LORD our God had to take His hand of protection off of them to reroute them back to Him. For the most part, while individual's grievous actions were judged harshly by the judges and kings of the time, the LORD turned His face from the people when they worshiped false gods. In His covenant with Israel, among the great many things He promised them (Deuteronomy 28:1-14), He made it very clear to them that if they worshiped any other god but Him, there would be negative consequences (Deuteronomy 28:15-68).
So anyway, moving along, the Lord has proven Himself to be an excellent and constant protector of the righteous and sometimes the foolish from the beginning. What I want to focus on, in this blog, is faithful remembrance of His protective hand. In 1 Samuel, Israel denied God as their king, but instead wanted a man on earth to be their king. What I want to do is inspire all of you, out there, to accept God as your king, commit yourself to Him, and live faithfully, and righteously, knowing that if and when you do, you are safe.
Now, life is not without challenge. Don't get it in your mind that I'm saying being faithful will present you an easy life with not challenge, worry, or pain. God allows and uses challenges to build us up, grow us, test us. Some are harder and more challenging, mind-bending, heartbreaking. But knowing and believing God is your protector, and trusting His divine Will, will not make you a victim or slave to fear. It will stop you from giving the enemy and fear authority over your circumstances. We are not to be afraid, but live in faith even in the path of the lion that seeks to devour us.
In a previous post, I said, "If you are ruled by fear, you will be controlled and defined by fear. As in, your fear will determine your actions; and your actions will define you. You will define others by your fears, either as your advocates or adversaries, friends or foes. You may try to shape and control your environment in accordance with that fear. Your life will be consumed by fear, suspicion/paranoia/cynicism, and misery."
Vengeance
There is another reason I want to emphasize that God is the law enforcer and protector. It means that He will handle all trespasses. If someone wrongs you, you do not have to retaliate. If someone breaks into your home and steals you television, you call the police. Well, yes, of course. In the world, people will wrong you. You will understandably feel righteous anger. However, you also know that, in all situations, God knows who has done what. God knows the innocent from the guilty. The Lord is the perfect lawman, because He is not limited to investigation, evidence, and the frailties of human distraction and calculation. God knows the crime, the cause, the solution. He was there when it happened. He will hold the person or people accountable. He will arrest them. He will hold them captive. He will judge them. Your task is to be faithful and loving, a blessing to others, even those who wrong you, and to trust the lawman, your Father and righteous judge, your King.
Unless you wish to avoid truth or righteous judgment, the only time a person (you) truly ever needs protection is if another person is defying God's established law (God's law is love, and who needs protection from love?). In which case, they are under the judgment of the Lord; and He will have His way with them.
Vengeance is the Lord's. Do not be a vigilante.
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." - Joshua 1:8, ESV.
Now, there's been a lot of fervor in the news lately over disputes between police and people. Some have considered and isolated it to a racial issue, police versus minorities. Others have considered it a broader issue of a military police ideology of intimidation and domination. They believe police are no longer out to serve and protect. They are out to embarrass, intimidate, and enforce the law, even minor ones, with physical and lethal force. They're in it for themselves. There's less of an ideology of duty and sacrifice, but fear, self-preservation, and cynicism. In truth, as citizens, our best defense against any imposing or opposing force, including those not acting according to their appropriate duty of protection, crime prevention, and law enforcement, is to obey God's law. It is our first line of defense. If you follow God's established law, your works will be a witness against your accuser(s).
Now God is our creator, the divine and ultimate authority over the universe. He is our king. One of the many promises made by our king is the protection of His citizens and the kingdom's resources. Our Father God is not just the lawmaker. He, either by His own hand or through His Son Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or His angels, is also the law enforcer, sheriff. Through His eyes and infinite knowing, He sees and knows all that has been, is, and will be, including the intentions, machinations, and constructions of the wicked. He is actively working in the benefit of His children, calling and leading them to righteousness, and disrupting the plots of the enemy against the righteous. He shows grace and mercy to all of us; but He hates sin, and will not condone wickedness.
There are some verses that continually come to mind when I feel I am under attack, when I feel I need protection. I will share two. My favorite two, Joshua 1:9 and Isaiah 41:10-13:
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9, ESV
(I enjoy the constant assurance that no matter where I am, at what time, the LORD is with me. My Father stands at my side through all things.)
'Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Behold, all who are incensed against you
shall be put to shame and confounded;
those who strive against you
shall be as nothing and shall perish.
You shall seek those who contend with you,
but you shall not find them;
those who war against you
shall be as nothing at all.
For I, the Lord your God,
hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, “Fear not,
I am the one who helps you.” ' - Isaiah 41:10-13, ESV
Now, I've been reading through the Old Testament most of this year. I've enjoyed reading and watching God stay true to His word, especially in regards to His chosen people, the people of Israel, the descendants of His faithful servant, Abraham. God brought them out of Egypt, displaying bits and bits of His power. Even though, at times, their loyalty to God was as flimsy as paper in the wind, He was good to them. He gave them the law; that "by keeping all His statutes and His commandments", they might live a long life of success. After which, He guided the faithful into their promised land. In the book of Joshua, He protected and supported them in battle as they claimed the land He had laid out for them. They destroyed the altars of false gods and demons. They claimed the lands of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. Joshua led them to victory with the Lord's protection and guidance. King Saul, while he was faithful, led them to victory over a few. King David, a man after God's heart, led Israel to victory and peace. King Solomon, while he was faithful, brought forth years of peace and prosperity to Israel.
Let me just step back and emphasize that God guided the faithful into their promised land. The faithful. The unfaithful generation, who witnessed the many great works of God and was originally led out of Egypt, did not see the promised land because of their unfaithfulness. They created a false god because of impatience and fear, while God's faithful servant Moses was away. The people were unfaithful to God on and off throughout multiple generations. If the people were disobedient and unfaithful, the LORD our God had to take His hand of protection off of them to reroute them back to Him. For the most part, while individual's grievous actions were judged harshly by the judges and kings of the time, the LORD turned His face from the people when they worshiped false gods. In His covenant with Israel, among the great many things He promised them (Deuteronomy 28:1-14), He made it very clear to them that if they worshiped any other god but Him, there would be negative consequences (Deuteronomy 28:15-68).
So anyway, moving along, the Lord has proven Himself to be an excellent and constant protector of the righteous and sometimes the foolish from the beginning. What I want to focus on, in this blog, is faithful remembrance of His protective hand. In 1 Samuel, Israel denied God as their king, but instead wanted a man on earth to be their king. What I want to do is inspire all of you, out there, to accept God as your king, commit yourself to Him, and live faithfully, and righteously, knowing that if and when you do, you are safe.
Now, life is not without challenge. Don't get it in your mind that I'm saying being faithful will present you an easy life with not challenge, worry, or pain. God allows and uses challenges to build us up, grow us, test us. Some are harder and more challenging, mind-bending, heartbreaking. But knowing and believing God is your protector, and trusting His divine Will, will not make you a victim or slave to fear. It will stop you from giving the enemy and fear authority over your circumstances. We are not to be afraid, but live in faith even in the path of the lion that seeks to devour us.
In a previous post, I said, "If you are ruled by fear, you will be controlled and defined by fear. As in, your fear will determine your actions; and your actions will define you. You will define others by your fears, either as your advocates or adversaries, friends or foes. You may try to shape and control your environment in accordance with that fear. Your life will be consumed by fear, suspicion/paranoia/cynicism, and misery."
Vengeance
There is another reason I want to emphasize that God is the law enforcer and protector. It means that He will handle all trespasses. If someone wrongs you, you do not have to retaliate. If someone breaks into your home and steals you television, you call the police. Well, yes, of course. In the world, people will wrong you. You will understandably feel righteous anger. However, you also know that, in all situations, God knows who has done what. God knows the innocent from the guilty. The Lord is the perfect lawman, because He is not limited to investigation, evidence, and the frailties of human distraction and calculation. God knows the crime, the cause, the solution. He was there when it happened. He will hold the person or people accountable. He will arrest them. He will hold them captive. He will judge them. Your task is to be faithful and loving, a blessing to others, even those who wrong you, and to trust the lawman, your Father and righteous judge, your King.
Unless you wish to avoid truth or righteous judgment, the only time a person (you) truly ever needs protection is if another person is defying God's established law (God's law is love, and who needs protection from love?). In which case, they are under the judgment of the Lord; and He will have His way with them.
"Vengeance is mine, and recompense,
for the time when their foot shall slip;for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’" - Deuteronomy 32:35, ESV
'Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ' - Romans 12:19, ESV
"Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing." - 1 Peter 3:9, ESV
Vengeance is the Lord's. Do not be a vigilante.
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