In just a few days President Barack Obama will take the oath of office for his second term as our president, while others re-elected in November have already taken their oaths of office. In this northwestern corner of Minnesota only a few city and county officials are newly elected. Our U.S. senator and representative as well our state senator and representative have already served one or more terms and in the case of Stumpf and Peterson many, many terms. Nevertheless, this is a good time to pray for our governmental leaders and think about what the Bible says about their role. In the midst of the storm and stress and the distractions of political life there is a need to keep reminding our leaders and ourselves of what is truly important.
A good place to start would be Psalm 72 which is the psalm appointed for Epiphany Day. Although the titles for government officials need to be updated, the responsibilities of those who govern continue to be those enunciated in this psalm. “Give the king your justice, O God (verse 1) that he may rule your people righteously and the poor with justice (v. 2). Let him defend the needy among the people, rescue the poor, and crush the oppressor (v.4). For the king delivers the poor who cry out in distress, and the oppressed, and those who have no helper (v. 12).” Just as the Lord pays special attention to those who are in need and as Jesus had an eye for those who were overlooked and neglected, the Bible consistently teaches that the chief role of governmental leaders is to attend to the needs of the poor, the oppressed, the disadvantaged, and “those who have no helper.”
This new year of 2013 has two anniversaries that remind the nation of the ongoing struggle to stay focused on the needs of the poor and oppressed. January 1st was the 150th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation which finally ended slavery, 87 years after the Declaration of Independence said it is self-evident that “all men are created equal.” And August 28th will be the 50th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial 100 years after Lincoln’s Proclamation. Many political leaders had come and gone over those years, but the struggle for justice and freedom from oppression continued because there continued to be injustice, inequality, and oppression in the land. And the struggle continues today.
Another duty of governmental leaders is revealed in an encouragement to pray found in 1st Timothy 2:1-2: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.” Embedded in that call to prayer is the duty of the government to work for peace and quiet within the borders of the nation and internationally. Peaceful streets and highways, safe working environments, and the protection of children at home and in school is a sacred obligation of those elected to make and administer the laws of the land. Vigorous debates may be held about just how to accomplish these goals, but even those debates should be peaceful, civil, and respectful. Regarding civic leaders Romans 13:7 says to show “respect to whom respect is due and honor to whom honor is due.”
So this weekend offer an extra prayer for those elected to office: the mayor, the governor, the president, and the city council, county commissioners, state legislature, and U.S. Congress that they may fulfill their duties well and that all our citizens may work together towards the goals of peace, justice, and liberty.
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