When Ungodly,Unrepentant Leaders Rule
Photo taken on trail to Mt. LeConte in Smoky Mountains
What does the Scripture say about ungodly leaders ruling over us?
First of all the Scripture directs you and me to pray for them.
Secondly, we must pray that they will hear the gospel and see their own sin and misery. Then we must pray that they will be enabled to turn from their sins, have their minds enlightened in the knowledge of God and their wills renewed so that they will be able to embrace Jesus Christ, by faith, as He is freely offered to them in the gospel.
The Bible instructs us to "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil." Romans 13:13.
The psalmist David knew how to pray for the ungodly, unrepentant leaders who refused the gospel message, those who said they loved God, but in actuality hated Him and advanced an ungodly agenda.
What are some verses that the Holy Spirit directs us to use when praying for ungodly, unrepentant rulers?
"Do not be merciful to any wicked transgressors" Psalm 59:5
"Tread down our enemies"Psalm 60:12
"Let the angel of the Lord chase them. Let their way be dark and slippery" Psalm 35:6.
"May your face be against those who do evil to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth" Psalm 34:16.
"Let them be like a snail which melts away as it goes, like a stillborn child of a woman, that they may not see the sun." Psalm 58:8
"Bring them down to the pit of destruction. May they not live out half their days;" Psalm 55:23.
"Let them be driven backward and brought to dishonor, let them be confounded because of their shame" Psalm 40:14,15.
"Destroy the transgressors. May the future of the wicked be cut off" Psalm 37:38.
"May the wicked workers of iniquity soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb." Psalm 37:2.
"Hide us from the secret plots of the wicked, from the rebellion of the workers of iniquity, who sharpen their tongue like a sword..." Psalm 64:2.
What are the characteristics of the ungodly, unrepentant? (Psalm 36)
There is no fear of God before their eyes.
They flatter themselves.
The words of their mouths are deceitful lies.
They cease to be wise and to do good.
They devise wickedness on their beds.
They set themselves in a way that is not good.
They do not abhor evil.
They advance the murder of children.
They uphold what God hates.
They rob the righteous.
They "spin" their words, calling evil good and good evil.
Along Mt. LeConte Trail in the Smoky Mountains
What does the Bible say Christian's are to do when the ungodly, unrepentant walk on every side? (Psalm 37)
We are not to fret because of evildoers.
We are not to envy them, because God will cut them down like the grass.
We are to trust in the Lord and do good.
We are to rest and wait patiently for our God, remembering that He has foreordained all things and is in absolute control.
This we know: God is working everything out for the Christian's good and His glory, no matter what it is (Romans 8:28).
One of the reasons God brings judgment upon us by giving us ungodly, unrepentant leaders is for the purpose of restoring order, through the condemnation and destruction of sinful men and nations.
When we pray "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10), we are praying, among other things, for judgment and justice. Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace because He is the Lord of judgment and justice.
Psalm 35 tells us that the Lord Jesus pleads the cause of the righteous with those who strive against us. He fights against those who fight against us. He takes hold of His weapons and stops those who pursue us. He says to our souls, "I am your salvation" (vs. 3).
Revelation 19:11 says "He judges and makes war." Vs. 13 says He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood from slaughtering His and our enemies. His gospel defeats every enemy. This is why we celebrate the great supper (vs. 17). This supper that we enjoy is the Lord's Supper. It is the sign and seal that we belong to our King who subdues us unto Himself, and who rules and defends us against all ungodliness.
From the biblical perspective, history is a series of judgments, large and small, that will one day culminate in the Last Judgment. If we do not see God's judgments here on the earth in calendar time, we will not repent and grow, which will only lead to more judgments and more ungodly leaders.
Finally, what does God do when ungodly, unrepentant rulers rule?
"Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His anointed, saying: 'Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us. 'He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure. . . . (Psalm 2:1-5 NKJ).
"The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laughs at him, for he sees that his day is coming. The wicked have drawn the sword and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to slay those who are of upright conduct. Their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken" (Psalm 37:12-15 NKJ).
"But You, O Lord, shall laugh at them; You shall have all the nations in derision" (Psalm 59:8 NKJ).