“In the kingdom of God, an ever-increasing government is news of great joy, hope, and peace.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – April 18, 2024
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:7, NKJV
In our modern age, one of the most heated political divisions and sources of conflict is the size of the government and the power given to the various governing institutions that order our world. For some, a larger government is a good thing, allowing for greater social resources and programs that benefit the neediest members of society. On the other hand, many people are deeply wary of expanded power and increased resources flowing to the government, as this is surely associated with reckless spending, ineffective programs, and increased taxation.
Regardless of where you fall politically, I imagine most of us would be concerned by the risk of totalitarianism that is associated with the ever-expanding power of large governments. And yet, with hope and longing in his voice, today in Isaiah 9 we hear these words: “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.” In the kingdom of God, an ever-increasing government is news of great joy, hope, and peace!
This passage highlights for us the vast difference between the perfect and peaceful rule of God and the broken and bent motives of even the best earthly rulers. When living under the reign of sinful men and women, checks and balances must always be in place, seeking to protect citizens from the worst impulses of their leaders. Yet in God’s kingdom, no such danger exists, and the more we encounter the rule of our Lord, the more we discover what it means to truly live in a peaceable kingdom, free of all forms of distorted power and misguided motives.
When we keep this vision of God’s coming kingdom ever before our minds, it also keeps us from being overly entangled in the political affairs of our world, or from misplacing our hope in the temporary and deeply flawed institutions that govern our earthly existence. And so, let us pray for peace and just rule in the present, yet place our ultimate hopes on high with the Lord, delighting in the ever-increasing peace of his rule and reign.
Prayer
Father, remind us that we are citizens of your kingdom, and that the increase of your government is good news for the entire world, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Application
Consider ways that you may have placed too much hope in the political system of our present age, instead of longing for the age to come.
Related Reading
Job 42:2; Ephesians 1:11; Colossians 1:16–17
Worship Resource
The Worship Initiative feat. John Marc Kohl: Because He Lives
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