POLITICS - What's Missing?

Proverbs 14
1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
10The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
28 In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

As I knew it would, the POLITICS post left open many subjects. Among many of the topics skirted was that of Godly leadership. I am by no means an expert on that subject and don't plan on holding a seminar anytime soon. However, there are places in Scripture that I find clues on how to recognize a Godly man who has been placed in a position of leadership.

As I began to read through Proverbs 14 in preparation for this post, it became evident that I better just post the entire text and highlight those portions that seem to speak directly to the inseparable issues of Godly leadership and righteousness. My belief is that our Founding Fathers understood the link between these two and endeavored to write our charter documents according to these principles. It is also evident from their writings that they believed that the prosperity and longevity of a nation was directly linked to the morality of the nations citizenry.

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism who should labour to subvert these great Pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity."
George Washington spoke these words as part of his Farewell Address. They show his clear understanding and belief that all men, whether servants of the public or not should understand the importance of religion and morality to the strength of this nation.

Abraham Lincoln -- "I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book."

George Washington -- "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God or the Bible."

Patrick Henry -- "The Bible is worth all other books which have ever been printed."

Andrew Jackson -- "That book, sir, is the rock on what our republic rests."

Sir Isaac Newton -- "There are more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history."

Immanuel Kant -- "The existence of the Bible, as a book for the people, is benefit which the human race has ever experienced. Every attempt to be little it is a crime against humanity."

Thomas Huxley -- "The Bible has been the Magna Charta of the poor and oppressed. The human race is not in a position to dispense with it."

Theodore Roosevelt -- "If a man is not familiar with the Bible, he has suffered a loss which he has better make all possible haste to correct."

Woodrow Wilson -- "When you have read the Bible, you will know it is the Word of God, because you will have found the key to your own heart, your own happiness, your own duty."

I include the quotes above only as evidence that through centuries, leaders of our nation as well as others accepted the necessity of the Word of God in the lives of people. Where are those men today?

As I look on the modern political scene there is no question of the greed and corruption that drives our world. "In God We Trust" is belabored at every turn by panic and uncertainty over markets and unemployment numbers. Instability throughout the Middle East and uneasy friendships in Europe and Asia have caused us worry and fear over the future. How can we claim God as our refuge yet worry about our 401k's?

June 6, 1944, Franklin Roosevelt led our nation in prayer. Heard across the nation on public radio, our President demonstrated his understanding of the "separation of Church and State." He knew it did not apply to the simple admission of God's existence and his almighty power over the affairs of men. When did his example become a "moment of silence"? How can we have a nation that cries out to God via a moment of silence?

I suppose this is a true blog post. Thoughts, sometimes rambling but all related regarding what we may never see again. Our politicians are expected to lie to us. We expect them to speak of their private faith. We expect them to keep it private enough that it's not even visible in their public policy. Contrast that with Proverbs 14 and with the example set by our Founding Fathers.

I'm frequently convicted on these things in my own home. MP's posts on wisdom made good reading and food for thought as well. After all, Godly men are not just needed in our governmental offices, but in our homes as well. Looking after the spiritual training of their families so that the next generation understands what their leaders should look like. Judging from the statistics given to us regarding divorce, marital infidelity, unwed mothers, juvenile delinquency, perhaps it's no surprise that there are few Godly leaders in public office. There don't seem to be many in our homes either.

May we pray that God raises up leaders who know Him and His Word. May we then look in the mirror and realize He's called us.