6. Surrounds

[Irmela]

Day 6 Meditation (Psalm 125).

What does this psalm teach us about the security that the Lord gives us?  He gives us security that is all encompassing. 

What examples do you see of unrighteous rulers?  There are many , in fact there are few righteous rulers.

What kind of government happens when rulers are unrighteous?  It is evil and corrupt.

What happens in the government of our hearts when we allow unrighteousness in us to continue to guide our actions and thoughts? Just as with the government of a nation or of a specific people-group, we become corrupt.  

[Krissi]

This psalm teaches us that if our trust in Him is strong (enough?) we cannot be moved (lose our faith?) but will abide forever in His steadfast love.

When I read psalms like this I wonder if I’ve done enough or am good enough to claim these promises. Only those who are “good” and “upright” does God do good to – I worry that am I good enough. Upright enough. My sins, though rather small these days, are not insignificant to God. Yes, the blood of Christ covers sin and makes me as white as snow, but God still looks down on  me and sees me as I am. The idea that Christ’s blood somehow blinds God to the truth or reality doesn’t make sense.

This week I’m reading on Russia in its imperial days (1800s to 1917) and have been struck not so much by their unrighteous rulers but by the sheer number of weak-minded and morally “challenged” ones. The fall of Russia to communism in 1917 seems to be a likely consequence of weak-minded and weak-“moralled” rulers. In our contemporary era, rulers of Western countries are mostly unrighteous though there are a few honorable ones left – Victor Orban of Hungary comes to mind. If we held these Western rulers to the Biblical standard of righteousness, they wouldn’t have an clue as to what we were talking about. The Christian ethic and mentality has been so erased from their consciousness that they no longer understand it. It is simply that case that American/European rulers, today, are decidedly secular.

So, can a secular ruler be honorable? It’s rare, but “yes.” When a person gives up faith, often a residual ethic remains, one based on the faith of dead fathers/forebears that the secular ruler has subconsciously adopted.  Thus, those who are fewer than one or two generation removed from faith can still have the remnants of honorable behavior.                                                       

Not only is government taken in it’s typical collective meaning, but Pastor Ralph also personalizes righteousness and unrighteousness – we are governed within. But, is this right? Doesn't the Holy Spirit governs us? Perhaps we don’t govern ourselves, as Christians, for our goal is to submit to His governance. It’s a lifelong struggle which is why I worry about being far enough along the path of sanctification to "merit" His blessing.