Looking for a King :: By Nathele Graham
What makes a great leader of a nation? I’m sure there are many ideas about that, but the best possible leader is King Jesus. There will be no peace on earth until He reigns, and I look forward to that time. There has always been a need for strong world leaders who know the Lord, and the Psalmist writes, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance” (Psalm 33:12).
This, of course, is speaking of Israel, but the truth is universal. If God’s laws and His word are taken seriously by government leaders, that nation will not fail. Struggles might arise, but if God is the King, who can stand against Him?
Israel has had a long history of struggles, and those struggles still go on today. God chose Abraham to be the father of the nation of Israel. Abraham learned to trust God, and God allowed him to father a son in his old age. Isaac was the promised son and the one through whose lineage the nation of Israel would be established through his son Jacob, who was renamed Israel. Jacob fathered 12 sons and a daughter, and those sons were the patriarchs of the 12 tribes that formed the nation of Israel.
The Old Testament is a history of the nation of Israel as well as prophecy, and we can learn so much from Israel’s struggles. God gave Abraham the Promised Land forever, and today, we are watching an evil war because their right to the land is being challenged. We must always remember that God told Abraham, “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3).
A good national leader will bless Israel, and God’s blessings will follow. At one time, America blessed Israel, but today, our leadership… or lack thereof… doesn’t bless God or Israel. Our nation is falling apart.
God called Abraham away from the pagan life and idol worship in which he had lived. It’s impossible to serve God while serving pagan idols. Abraham was quite old when God told him he would father a son. The conversation was overheard by Sarah, Abraham’s wife, who was well past the age of bearing children, and she laughed. “And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him” (Genesis 17:19). His name was to be Isaac, which means “he laughs.”
Abraham and Sarah did have a son named Isaac, who grew up and became the father of twins, Esau and Jacob. Esau was the eldest but not at all leadership material. Jacob had many drawbacks, but God knew he would become a Godly man and chose him to be the one to establish the nation. Jacob wrestled with God, and God allowed the struggle until Jacob was ready to submit. Jacob was given a new name. “And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel, for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed” (Genesis 32:28)
Jacob means “heel holder” or “supplanter,” but Israel means “God prevails.” We can learn a good lesson from Jacob and how he struggled against God. We can fight God and wear ourselves out holding on to our own selfish ways, or we can stop fighting God and allow His blessing on our life. Jacob was blessed, and his descendants became the nation of Israel.
The family moved to Egypt to avoid famine and eventually became slaves. After many years as slaves, they began to worship the pagan idols found in Egypt. God never turned away from them and eventually sent Moses to convince Pharoah to set them free. When they finally gained their freedom, God established his Law by giving it to Moses, who led the Israelites out of Egyptian captivity. God’s Law gave them a standard by which to live — a moral foundation to build their life upon. Israel hasn’t always been obedient to God’s word, but He has always loved them.
After leaving their captivity in Egypt, they were to travel to and possess the Promised Land. Unfortunately, they were afraid to enter the land that God had promised to Abraham many years before. “And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight” (Numbers 13:33).
The giants they found there were Nephilim. Even though God had proved over and over that He would take care of them, their fear stopped them from trusting Him. Their lack of trust caused them to wander for 40 years until it was time for them to conquer their God-given land. Led by Joshua, they were able to claim their God-given land. Joshua was a smart man. Before they started to fight, he required the people to get right with God. He circumcised the men and re-established Passover.
It’s always smart to be right with God. Maybe Christians need to pay attention. First, get right with God by repenting of sin and wickedness, then live according to God’s word. Then, we will be equipped to fight the spiritual battle before us.
After the fighting was done, Joshua called the leaders of the tribes together to review their history and remind them of what God had done for them. It’s time that Americans review the history of our nation and remember what God has done. Joshua reminded them of how Abraham’s family served false gods, but God brought Abraham away from the evil life of idolatry. Joshua reminded them of how God blessed Abraham.
Years later, Jacob and his family moved to Egypt because of famine and the circumstances that made his son Joseph ruler over Egypt, only subject to Pharaoh. That ultimately led to the Hebrews becoming slaves in Egypt, but God sent Moses and Aaron to Egypt to free the Hebrew slaves. Pharoah refused, so God sent plagues until Pharoah finally set the slaves free. After that, God provided protection by allowing them to pass through the Red Sea as if they were walking on dry land, but the Egyptian army was drowned. God gave manna for them to eat and provided water. God helped them win the battle for their land.
As Joshua recounted their history, he challenged his listeners: “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye shall serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Johsua 24:14-15).
Oh, to have a leader like Joshua. Not only did he understand what God had done for Israel and how they should honor Him, but Joshua understood that as a man of God, he needed to lead his family in the service of the Lord. How did the people respond? “And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods” (Joshua 24:16).
How would you answer Joshua’s question? Would you put your trust in the false gods of sin, or would you follow God Almighty? The Israelites understood what God had done, but their memory would soon fade. It’s always good to review history and see what God has done. As Christians, we should be very enthusiastic about serving the Lord. Jesus fulfilled the Law, and He laid down His life to be our final sacrifice for sin and to offer salvation to all who truly believe. Review what He has done for you, then answer Joshua’s question. Who will you serve?
After Joshua died, things got tough. There were still battles to be fought, but God should have been their king. The people moved farther and farther away from God. Judges were raised up periodically to hear God and lead the nation for short periods. Ultimately, the Israelites came to the point that lawlessness was abounding. “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6).
It seems we are once again at that point. Lawlessness abounds. The “woke” generation is ignorant about God and what He has done; they are also ignorant of American history and even world history. Most are just concerned about their own selfish wants and desires, giving no thought to God. What a sad place to be in life!
I have to say that I admire the governor of Louisiana for signing into law that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every classroom in the state. It’s about time that the filth that’s being taught to children is counteracted by God’s Truth. I’m sure the Civil Liberties Union will have a lot to say, but what are they afraid of? Are they afraid that children will learn that they are created male and female with no grey areas? That they should not lie or steal? That they should honor their parents. Are they afraid that people will be stopped from doing what is right in their own eyes and realize that there is a God who needs to be honored? That we are to have no gods before God Almighty.
When people follow the ways of the world, there is trouble. Israel had God’s law to follow, but they wanted to be more like the world. Big mistake. God had chosen a man to be a great king over Israel, but at that time, David was just a boy watching over his father’s sheep. Samuel was a judge and a prophet of God. He had two sons who were not at all Godly men. “And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment” (1 Samuel 8:3).
Sounds a lot like politicians today. The elders of Israel went to Samuel, “And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:5). Why would they want a king like the world when God’s rule is so much better? Samuel wasn’t happy, so he went to God. “And the LORD said unto Samuel, ‘Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them” (1 Samuel 8:7).
Is that what America has done? Rejected God? It sure looks that way. This is a very sad comment about Christians. If we are solid in our faith and honor God, how is it that America allows abortion, same-sex marriage, child pornography, transgender atrocities, and more? Like Israel, we have rejected God and have received what we deserve. Israel was given King Saul, who was a bit crazy. Today, America has a president who seems to be unable to put a thought into intelligent words. Unless we get on our knees and earnestly repent and pray, more and more evil will be poured out upon this once great nation. There is a remnant who honors God, and we need to become the majority.
God did eventually send Samuel to anoint David as king over Israel. David loved the Lord, and though he made some huge mistakes, he truly repented and turned from his sin. Remember, when a person truly repents and turns to God, their sins are forgiven.
As we think about elections and who will lead our nation, remember the history of America. Our history has included some bad things, but that’s no excuse to allow riots that destroy property and livelihoods. We cannot continue to condone sexual perversion and the murder of babies. When everybody does what’s right in their own eyes, we cannot expect God to bless us. Think about how the man you vote for feels about Israel, and remember that God blesses those who bless Israel.
Only God can make a nation great, and it’s up to each of us individually to honor God with our life. If you’re looking for a king, look to Jesus, not the world. If you’re looking to elect a president, pray and turn to Scripture for guidance, then vote wisely.
God bless you all,
Nathele Graham
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All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.
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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).
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