- Judge and Govern
Psalm 67:4
O let the nations be glad and sing for joy:
for thou shalt judge the people righteously,
and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
Judging and governing may not sound like a pleasant promise, but “good government” and “righteous judgments” are wonderful blessings for the enjoyment of life on earth. The nations and the peoples of the earth are glad and joyful when government protects and justice prevails. When this happens in a land it is by God’s blessing and benevolence and everyone benefits.
It is good when human institutions govern wisely and well, but it would be more awesome if God Himself were judging righteously and governing well. When the rulers of a nation and the people of that nation pray for good government and trust the Lord to be the Lord, then He is judging and governing through the rulers and all is well. “Humble selves, repent and pray” is the key for the kind of government that makes the people glad.
God’s promise that the Lord will judge the people and govern the nations comes true when the people let Him. When the nation and the people submit to God and let Him rule according to His will without resistance and rebellion. This, by definition, always is the case in the unseen Kingdom of God where God reigns in the hearts of His believers. When the nations “see” the Kingdom they are glad and sing for joy because God really is judging and governing. They look at the Church and see the “increase of his government and of peace.” (Isaiah 9:7).
This promise of governing can be personalized and individualized to apply to my own inner life being ruled by a loving God over His Kingdom, which is in me. I pray, “Thy kingdom come (to me), Thy will be done (in me).” I can trust God to answer this prayer in my heart and to know what He is doing in my life because He made this promise to me. Apply this prayer and promise to family, community, church, and government. Then be glad and sing for joy.