“…the land of the free!” Francis Scott
Key from the Star Spangled banner, 1814.
When the Lord brought the Hebrew people out of Egypt and into the
Promised Land, they were delivered from slavery. There was no more enforced compromise
on their lives; they were free to practice their religion, free to worship
their God, the creator.
But a harsh reality soon reared its ugly head: God’s people were
not perfect, and with no leaders, there was no one to adjudicate conflicts. And
there was no system in place to provide for their common defense.
So the Jews went to the Lord and begged, “Please, please, please
can we have a king?”
In my mind, I picture God saying, “Those crazy Jews! After raising
up Moses, demanding ‘Let my people go,’ all the plagues, Passover, parting of
the Red Sea, wandering 40 years in the desert, I have finally assured their
complete and total freedom. And now, after all that, it’s a king they want!”
Kings are not without their own issues. Saul started well but
finished poorly. David started and ended well, but experienced a train wreck in
the middle of his reign. Solomon is thought to be wise in some things, but not
in his selection of 700 wives, including non-Jews who would tempt him away from
God and lead to his downfall.
God knew the pros and cons of living under a king, but ultimately
the good must have outweighed the bad, because God granted them a king.
This beings us to the concept of benevolent leadership, whereby
the king, president or prime minister uses his political clout only for the
benefit of the entire nation. In other words, there are no political agendas –
just doing what’s best for the people.
As we celebrate July 4th, our country’s birthday and
the freedoms the U.S.A. represents, remember to include God. Thank him for the
freedoms we enjoy, and pray for benevolent leaders here in the “land of the
free!”
Norton Lawellin
This Sunday
I’ll be teaching Galatians 3:26-4:11 (God sent his Son that we might be
adopted…) - at Jesus in the City – the old location – lower level of Trinity
First, 1115 E. 19th St., Mpls., 11am.
We’re looking
forward to July 29 – when Jesus in the City Sunday worship moves to the Oliver
Ministry Center, 27th Street & Bloomington Avenue. Note the new
service time: 10:30am. Please pray for this huge new opportunity as God
enlarges our territory!
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