“Politics!” The science of government; that part of ethics which consists in the regulation and government of a nation or state, for the preservation of its safety, peace and prosperity. “Politician!” One versed in the science of government and the art of governing; one skilled in politics. The Bible tells us that “if the foundations be destroyed, what shall the righteous do?” We thank God for our Constitution and those in government who have the heart, spirit and skill to follow it.

In the Christian realm, we thank God for the Bible and those who have the heart, spirit and knowledge to follow it. There is a story recorded in I Samuel chapter 8 that we would do well to learn from. From the time of their beginning until the time of the event recorded in this chapter, the Israelites had lived under a theocratic type of government. The dictionary tells us that a theocracy is a government recognizing the immediate sovereignty of God. This was God’s will for Israel. They were to continually to look to Him as their King.

In this chapter a strange thing happens. Israel demands a king! Many reasons were advanced for this action. First, Samuel’s two sons, Joel and Abiah, had proved a great disappointment to their father and to the nation.

Samuel had made his two sons judges in Israel and they had corrupted the office. The people protested against this and because of the failure of Samuel’s two sons they wanted to reject God’s form of government.

Secondly, the nations bordering on Israel now gave signs of renewed uprisings to threaten Israel. The people were fearful of the situation as it stood and they clamored for a strong king with a strong army. God’s way didn’t look strong enough for them.

Thirdly, they wanted to be like the nations around them. They coveted the power of the surrounding nations. These were their excuses for rejecting God’s plan and desiring their own plan. They changed their form of government! We see this today with the liberal philosophy of being more like the “world” and less like “God”. There are those who desire to change or omit portions of our Constitution and there are those who desire to change or omit portions of our Bible.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”, should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.”

I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God’s Holy Word. I will make it a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I will hide its words in my heart, that I might not sin against God.

The Word of God, the Bible, is a spiritual treasure trove of admonition, instruction, teaching, guidance, etc. etc., but as we all know, if a person doesn’t receive the instruction, if they are not teachable, the truth falls on deaf ears and is not profitable. II Timothy 3:16 states “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” When we attend church and hear the teaching and preaching of the Word of God, our prayer is that we would “grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Ecclesiastes 5:1, “…when thou goest to the house of God,…be more ready to hear…” Richard Baxter said, “For in a learning way men are ready to receive the truth, but in a disputing way they come armed against it with prejudice and animosity.” We speak of an “attitude” of learning, an attitude of humility, of being teachable even as a little child. Proverbs 8:33 states “Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.” We are not speaking of intelligence, we are talking about spirituality. In John 6:63 Jesus said “…the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” The spirit of God teaches us by the Word of God.

We also learn from experience. In Philippians 4:11 the Apostle Paul said “…I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” He knew both blessings and trials. He experienced both abundance and loss and was better for it. There was an Indian, who, whenever he reached a dangerous bog in the swamp, would put up a stake to mark the spot. By this means, he not only guarded his future movements, but furnished a warning to others who might pass that way. This is the benefit one generation derives from another.

We can also learn from someone’s else’s mistakes and experience. Romans 15:4, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” What have we learned from the jealousy of Joseph’s brethren, the criticism of Job’s friends, the faith of Abraham, the help of Abigail, the providence of God in the book of Esther or the blessings of God in the book of Psalms? What have we learned from history? That we don’t learn from history!

Jesus said in Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” If you would find rest for your soul, if you would find wisdom and guidance for your life, learn of Him. May our Lord give us all a hunger and desire for His instruction.

All the way my Savior leads me; What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy, Who thro’ life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.

Have you ever been offended or criticized? Of course you have. How are you doing because of that? Some people “carry” grudges or “hold” grudges. The damage and definition of a grudge are very negative. A grudge is to be discontented at another’s enjoyments or advantages. To murmur; to repine; to complain; as, to grudge or complain of injustice. Sullen malice or malevolence; ill will; secret enmity; hatred; as an old grudge. In James 5:9 we are instructed, “Grudge not one against another,…” Don’t waste your life with a wrong spirit. Thomas Hogben wrote “A grudge, a bitterness, a desire for retaliation – will break the wings of faith and hush the cry of real prayer.” The Sociology Department of Duke University did a study on peace of mind and happiness. They found nine factors that were most likely to contribute to mental and emotional stability. The very first and most important factors were “Absence of suspicion and resentment. Trusting and avoiding grudges were important.”

Leviticus 19:18, “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD.” II Corinthians 9:7, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” I Peter 4:9, “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”

A visitor from across the mountain leaned on the rail fence, watching his old friend plow. “I don’t like to butt in,” he finally said, “but you could save yourself a lot of work by saying “gee” and “haw” to that mule instead of just tuggin’ on them lines.” The old timer pulled a big handkerchief from his pocket and mopped his brow. “Yep, I know that,” he agreed, “but this mule kicked me six years ago and I ain’t spoke to him since.” Sound familiar? If you hold a grudge, it will be because YOU will not let it go.

If you hold onto a grudge you will hold on to ill will.
If you hold onto a grudge you will hold on to discontentment.
If you hold on to a grudge you will hold on to murmuring.
If you hold on to a grudge you will hold on to a bad spirit.

The terminology ought to be a warning to us all. Bearing a grudge. Holding a grudge. The load can be very heavy. Matthew Henry wrote, “If our brother has done us an injury, we must not return it upon him, that is avenging; we must not upon every occasion upbraid him with it, that is bearing a grudge; but we must both forgive it and forget it, for thus we are forgiven of God.” The longer you live, the more grudges will fill your life if you let them. This is why some people turn into bitter old folks. Break the habit in your youth. “Bitterness is its own prison.” The Lord wants to free you from such captivity. Job 42:10, “And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends:…”

Mankind has spiritual needs. He has emotional needs and he has physical needs. Spirit, soul & body. I Thessalonians 5:23, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Spiritual needs can only be met by God. Joni Eareckson Tada writes “For a wheelchair may confine a body that is wasting away. But no wheelchair can confine the soul,… the soul that is inwardly renewed day by day. For paralyzed people can walk with the Lord. Speechless people can talk with the Almighty. Sightless people can see Jesus. Deaf people can hear the Word of God.” Hebrews 4:16 states “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” If we take this verse backwards…Help comes from grace and mercy and grace and mercy come from the Mercy Seat. The Mercy Seat represents the presence of God.

Ever pray like David?

Psalm 6:2 “”Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak:…”

Psalm 9:13 “Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer…”

Psalm 25:16 “Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted…”

Psalm 27:7 “Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.”

Psalm 30:10 “Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.”

I need Thee every hour, Most gracious Lord
No tender voice like Thine, Can peace afford
I need Thee every hour, Stay Thou nearby
Temptations lose their power, When Thou art nigh!

Because we are needy, we come often to the throne of Grace! It is the only place to obtain the spiritual help that we need. A throne of Grace / A Help in time of need! This help is not just for our needs, but for the needs of others. We experience His mercy that we might be merciful to others. We experience His love that we might share that love with others. We are helped and comforted that we might comfort others. II Corinthians 1:3-4, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort we ourselves are comforted of God.” Isaiah 25:4, “For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat,…” Those who know God, know where to find help…to find refuge.

Majestic sweetness sits enthroned Upon the Saviour’s brow;
His head with radiant glories crowned. His lips with grace o’erflow.
His lips with grace o’erflow.

“Abounding sin is the terror of the world, but abounding grace is the hope of mankind.”
– A.W. Tozer

“I’ll do what I want, the way I want, when I want!” Wow! What a picture of a proud and stubborn self-will. To be fair, it is sometimes wise and prudent to follow your will above someone else’s will. The Christian, however, is led by and interested in God’s will. But even saying something is “God’s will” can be used as an excuse for man to have his own way. Paul E. Little in his sermon entitled “Affirming the Will of God” states “It sounds terribly spiritual to say “God led me”, but I am always suspicious of a person who implies that he has a “personal” pipeline to God. When no one else senses that what the person suggests is the will of God, they had better be careful. God has been blamed for the most outlandish things by people who have confused their own inverted pride with God’s will.” Remember, God’s Will is found in God’s Word.

II Peter 3:9 states “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Willing means pleased to or desirous, consenting with pleasure without reluctance. Remember your wedding vow? Will you take this woman…will you take this man… Your vows made were definitely consenting with pleasure! A chaplain was speaking to a soldier on a cot in a hospital. “You have lost an arm in a great cause,” said the chaplain. “No,” said the soldier with a smile. “I didn’t lose it – I gave it.” Being willing is not tied to circumstances. The husband gained a wife, the soldier lost an arm. Both were willing. Jesus was willing to die on a cross for you. He suffered the shame of the cross for “the joy set before him.” He delighted to do the will of the Father! Concerning giving His life, Jesus says in John 10 :18 “No man taketh if from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” Mark 1:40-42, “And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.” What a great combination! If you want to be cleansed, Jesus wants to cleanse you. If you want to be saved and forgiven, Jesus wants to save and forgive you. What a great combination.

John Powell wrote, “I have a sign in the mirror of my room I see it every morning in my groggy condition, when I first wake up: WHAT HAVE YOU GOT GOING TODAY, GOD? I’D LIKE TO BE A PART OF IT. THANKS FOR LOVING ME.” He went on to say “That’s the condition of successful prayer.”