In God We Trust – by Paul M Hanssen
When Jesus came into this world as the Messiah, Redeemer, Lord, and King, His followers wanted to fight with swords in order to secure His place as such. For example, Peter drew his sword on one of the High Priest’s servants when a band of men came to take Jesus into custody whilst He was with His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. As a result, Peter cut off the servant’s ear. Jesus response to this was:
Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? (John 18:11)
The followers of Jesus were determined to see their King and leader enthroned on the seat of political authority. They wanted to see the Roman Empire overthrown and their Messiah hailed as the Savior of the Jews and the establisher of a free nation.
However, what the people did not understand in Jesus’ days, and what many people in this present day and age do not understand, is that the Kingdom of our God is not of this world. His Kingdom is not established on the thrones of this world. His Kingdom is not recognized in the seat of governments of the nations. When Jesus stood before Pilate He said these words:
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (John 18:36)
Jesus declared that His servants would, indeed, go to physical war if He had come to establish an earthy political Kingdom on the throne of Israel. However, God’s Kingdom has never been established within the governments of men. Yes, God uses governments for His purpose and for the fulfillment of His plan and will. In spite, worldly governments do not represent His Kingdom. God’s Kingdom can only be established within the hearts of people who bow before Him as King. If He is not enthroned as King on the throne of the hearts of His people, it matters little what happens upon the seats of power within the governments of this world.
So, where is the real fight? It is not on the streets. The fight is not against government officials. The fight is on our knees. The warfare is not with flesh and blood. The war is against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and with spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:11-12). At the end of the day, it is God who rules. What He does depends greatly upon what His people do on their knees. God responds to His people according to how His people respond to Him.
People of God, fall on your knees. Our nation is in peril. What is God saying? What is our response to Him? The condition of our nation and its future is in the hands of His Church. However, not according to us fighting with swords, but rather the manner in which we fight in the Spirit for the establishing of His Kingdom within our own hearts. Our warfare is spiritual and can only be won in the Spirit!
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? (James 2:5)
Let us love Him! At a time of serious upheaval, national pain, diversity, and struggle, it is important that as the heirs of God’s Kingdom, we fall on our faces before the Almighty and commit this nation into His caring hands. Only He can change the state of the nation. He can and will do so as we allow Him to change our hearts. We must trust in God. After all, this great nation was established on the statement, “IN GOD WE TRUST”!! Do we still trust in God?
With the love of Jesus,
Pastor Paul M Hanssen