by Linzy Slayden
William Paterson, one of the signers of the United States Constitution, and a Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, said that juries should always be reminded of this text of the Bible: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked beareth rule, the people mourn” (Proverbs 29:2).
I would go on to add that not only should juries be reminded of it, but also judges, lawyers, doctors, ministers, teachers; in fact, the entire nation should remember it.
There is a leadership crisis in America today because there is a character crisis. But there is an even greater problem than the leadership in this nation, and that is the people who put these people into leadership. Now if this verse is true, then how I vote, and how you vote, can determine whether God is moved to bless us or break us.
In a republic, a vote is both a vision and a reflection. It is a vision of what we want in a leader, and it is a reflection of who we are as a nation. The quality of government depends far more on good leaders than it does on good laws. Laws, statutes, and constitutions are as worthless as a cruise ship in the desert without godly reliable leaders. That is why Noah Webster once instructed his students:
“When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God. The preservation of a republican government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty. If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made not for the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the law; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded.”
God is so concerned with leadership, and especially political leadership, that he has outlined in His word the characteristics we should look for in a leader. Everyone knows that it is the government that stabilizes the nation. But God says it is righteousness that stabilizes the government. If those in authority are not righteous, the government will not be stable, and neither will the nation.
A real leader believes that what is right is right, and what is wrong is wrong; and knows the difference between the two and never compromises the former with the latter. He stands against what is wicked, and he stands for what is right. He is more concerned with what is morally and spiritually right than what is politically correct.
I want my children and grandchildren to know a strong, free, and God-blessed country. May the Lord help us to be a righteous people, and vote for righteous leaders! For only then can we ask God to bless America.