I questioned why Jesus used an unjust judge in His parable to show us persistent prayer in my last post. Then I showed how the heart of man accuses God of being unjust and unfair. Through this parable, Jesus shows us how to come to Him even in this accusatory state. But there was a second part to what He showed me about this parable. This part is about God’s sovereignty in assigning an unjust leader. This truth is paramount. We cannot escape the fact that God appoints our authorities. Despots may scheme and finagle but it is God Himself who places them in leadership. This is a vital lesson and I’m clinging to it during our next election season. No man can steal what only God Himself endows.
For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.
Romans 13:1 NLT
God’s Sovereignty with Unjust Leaders
Often we see our leaders from the standpoint of their selfish or corrupt motives. They are unjust in our eyes. But for me, the motive of our leaders is not the concern. I am grappling with the God who seats that authority by His sovereign Will and Ways.
It is way too common to grumble and complain about our leaders and authorities. I wish I was unscathed by this but alas, no. It is inherent in our frame. Our rebellion to cast off God even incorporates itself in those He sets in place because all authority comes from God. And in the parable of the unjust judge the Righteous King is asking me to petition Him. Persistent prayer doesn’t believe in the limitations of our earthly kings, rather it rises above them to the Most High who is over them all.
God’s Sovereignty with Authorities
However, this doesn’t give me liberty to rebel, revile, or reject those authorities. Again, they are only in place because of God, not man. Yep, that’s right, all the money, smear ads, and dossiers make little difference. There is no authority except from God, so to oppose those authorities is to oppose God.
Concerning this parable, I am not saying this is the only revelation about it. The point of all of Christ’s parables is that they are eternal and multifaceted. They each are like looking into a kaleidoscope and the Spirit reveals messages as unique and personal as the person viewing them. I can give you a ballpark meaning for a parable but the reach of the heart is individual and personalized. Christ is the Word so He deals with us relationally and personally through His parables. No, He does not bend it to heresy…but if the Word isn’t deeply personal and applicable for my individual circumstance, it isn’t meaningful to me. The Spirit uses the Word to impact my situation without compromising its integrity. This is the wonder of the Word of God.
For me the current application of this parable in my life is found in these two posts. In this post the parable of the unjust judge is impacting my understanding and altering my vision of the upcoming elections. I am not to worry or fret as if I have no King on the Throne. Regardless of man’s influence, the right person will be seated in each place. This takes voter fraud, corrupt campaigning, and the schemes of man out of the equation.
Sovereignty of God: His Choice
I will vote my conscience because this is my responsibility as a citizen of the country God has placed me in, but God will install as leader His choice and Will.
The unjust judge is every man and every leader, because we’re all unjust. There is no good in man, no not one. All are corrupt. But it is not man that I petition and neither do you. We have a Most High Sovereign King who cares, loves, and brings to earth that which is found in heaven.
Then He gave them an illustration to show that they must always pray and never lose heart…
Then the Lord said, “Notice how this dishonest magistrate behaved. Do you suppose God, patient as He is, will not see justice done for His chosen, who appeal to Him day and night? I assure you He will not delay in seeing justice done. Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will He find men on earth who believe in Him?”
Luke 18:1, 6-8 Phillips
I stand in total agreement with you on this post dear brother.
May God richly bless each and every one who goes to the polls listening for His desires and carrying them out through obedience.
Amen Tammy, It’s quite a day to be alive. He looks for our loyalty and response to Him as we seek His face for our leaders. And as His choices are placed in these seats, we continue to stand with Him and pray for them all to have His wisdom. It’s just such an expression of faith. Love you!