I'm wading into piranha-infested waters, but I think this will be a subject where too many Christians (including me) lose focus. Politics, as Ronald Reagan said, was the world's second-oldest profession, bearing a strong resemblance to the first. In my quiet time the past few days, I've been reading the books of 1 & 2 Kings. One of the things that's always stuck out in those books was the spiritual lives of the kings. One king would do amazing things for God. Another would be so wicked that he would sacrifice his own children to idols. In the end, both the nations of Israel and Judah were plundered, and the people were sent into exile for their wickedness.
So what do ancient kings and modern-day politicians have in common? In the end, they'll let us down. In 2008, being duped into the "hope and change" meme, I thought Barack Obama would turn things around. Not to slam the president, but he was grossly overestimating his powers as commander in chief. The past three years has been a reality check for the nation. After January 2009, we still faced the same problems.
The GOP presidential candidates lately have made similar grandiose promises. Some would have us believe that they'll get the economy humming in a matter of months. Many of those candidates are tied to billionaire activists who are trying to get favorable legislation passed. I'm not holding my breath for great change on the Republican side.
To tie this together, I'm reminded that we'll always be let down by our leaders from time to time. Some presidents (or kings) can be great; some may be terrible. In the end, our hope isn't in a political party, but a Savior. Our hunger for a political savior runs deep. The apostles, when they were with Jesus, expected him to be a political messiah. In fact, when Jesus said he would have to die, Peter rebuked him! In the book of Judges God told the nation of Israel not to pine for a king, warning of numerous hardships that one would bring. God wanted to be their king!
I rarely see the fruits of the spirit when people start discussing politics. If most discussions degenerate into childish name-calling and insults, can it be of Christ? Can we trust a millionaire's club to have our best interests at heart? In the end, I know that our King is greater than our problems and fears. Jesus is the one that gets my vote.
This is why I don't venture into discussion in this arena. It's never pretty. What I've decided personally is that no matter what side one chooses or if they choose to stay inactive due to inevitable beliefs, that as believers we're supposed to pray for our leaders. As you pointed out, there's a repitive history in the bible. So you know that the one that always comes out blessed is the one that obeys. Agree or not with them, we need to be obedient in standing in the gap for them. [I Timothy 2:1-2 "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."]
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