Why do Governments fail us?

There is a precise reason Governments fail us. It answers why there is political divisions and global warfare.

Approximately 3100 years ago, the problem with rulers and kings was foretold. The Hebrews wanted a King instead of God leading them.

 Samuel 8:10-18 “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. 12 Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. 16 Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. 17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”

The Hebrews had seen the miracles of God, yet the desire to be like others was just as strong then as it is today. God had told them he would lead them and give them victory for their obedience. He had proven they could have miraculous military success if they let him lead them, yet they desired someone they could see. They wanted something tangible for their fickle hearts to declare allegiance.

God warned them of the consequences  of taxes, wars, and  servitude but they gave their sons and daughters, finances, and their property for the comfort of having a king. Trusting God was difficult when they could not see him and instead of looking at what he had given them, they looked at what the world had. Other nations had a King that would go before them in battle. He would make alliances and represent them. The priest was not a warrior. They wanted a warrior that would win for them.

The people used a religious reason to declare a need for a King because of Samuel's sons not being righteous and honoring God's word. God found no merit in their reason to go against his institution of leadership and submission. Their blame on Samuel, mirrors Adam's blame on God for giving him the woman in the first place.

The truth is we like to blame shift. We would rather put the burden on someone or something else to make us happy than to "Be still, and know" he is God. We would rather swim in the approval of the majority instead of trusting the Holy Spirit to guide us. It is easier to blame others during times of trouble than to seek God for correction, guidance or strength. It is more likely for us to point towards our work for a reference to our success in times of ease than to praise God.

It has been said that our faith is tested, during the hard times of suffering, but the bible shows where many people failed during times of ease or plenty.

The heart of the matter starts in Genesis. Eve was to trust the goodness of God's richest blessings in the Garden, and trust his promises (including death from taking of the forbidden fruit). She was tempted to look at what she could see, and feel and traded her faith in Him for the ability to choose . Eve wasn't under duress, or physical pain. She had everything she needed and yet chose to disobey God.

Sin.......... The ability to choose.

How often do we trade priceless blessings for something we can see or touch, because faith tests our self-control, or will power?

How many people are in debt because they could not save their money to buy something in cash and chose the, "Got to have it now" finance crowd?

How many people are in an unhealthy relationship because their physical desire won the debate on whom they should wait for? The divorce rate answers that question quite well. "I just want somebody to hold me. I don't want to be alone,"  won over the logic of, "I will trust God is the lover of my soul, and provider of good gifts; I will wait for the one he provides."

How many people have run to medication to heal hurt, unforgiveness, and bitterness instead of letting him have access to their heart and mind?

I know of no other document from that time period (ca 1120 B.C.) or any today that can give us a better explanation than in 1 Samuel 8, as to what the problem is with government. Our desire of self rule. There can be no science experiment to support my theory because the time to allow God to be our ruler has been temporarily suspended. There will be a day when Jesus will rule, but for the now, we have a broken system.

There is no perfect Nation. Switzerland has a very low crime rate and voted one of the most peaceful countries in the world but their suicide is twice that of America. Sweden boasts low crime rates, and has strict gun laws, but is one of the largest arms dealers in the world.  The world we live in is broken and there is no Utopia. There is no perfect leader with the ability to govern all peoples with just and fair wisdom.

Why?

There is only one that is good, and He is God. That is not the answer we want. He requires personal responsibility, and we can't apply that to someone else . It only works as far as our personal choices, and means we lose the right to control others. God never uses us to control others. We can't use others to control him, or use Him to control others. That was a mouthful, but it is the circle of fellowship with the creator.

A more perfect government is not the answer. Christians that accept personal responsibility and walk in love towards their neighbor is the only mode of transportation to real peace. Once they grab hold to one angle of human opinion, they step out of the circle of fluid fellowship in the spirit.

We are admonished to stay out of vain arguments, not throw our pearls to swine, live quiet and peaceable lives, and to be content if we have food and shelter. How many of us are practicing that? There is no Law against love and we would be wise to lay down our hope of a government that will line up with God's way. Instead, we should lay hold of the command to reconcile others to him through ministry and be a light in a blind world.

This does not mean Christians should not use their legal rights as a citizen to influence laws that honor God. Paul utilized his right as a roman citizen. But he did not hide in shame when a corrupt justice system threw him in jail. He praised God and the jailer got saved. American Christians have slept during a time of ease while their brothers and sisters in other nations considered the cost of relationships and physical life when they were born again. They still impact their community, even if their government is dark and sinful.

Be encouraged. Just as the bible tells us we should not put our hope in man, we should not put our hope in government to do the job of the church to spread the Gospel.