A World Gone Wrong Series

Upon accepting an award, the late Jack Benny once remarked, “I really don't deserve this. But I have arthritis, and I don't deserve that either” (Haddon Robinson, www.PreachingToday.com).

People often don’t get what they deserve. So how do you live in such a world? How do you live in a world where leaders are capricious, the wicked are praised, and good people die young? Well, if you have your Bibles, I invite you to turn with me to Ecclesiastes 8, Ecclesiastes 8, where the Bible tells us how to live in a world gone wrong.

Ecclesiastes 8:1 Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed (ESV).

When God’s face shines, He acts graciously (Numbers 6:25; Psalm 31:16; 67:1; 119:135; 80:3, 7, 19; Daniel 9:17). And a hard face indicates pride (Proverbs 7:13). So here, a wise person acts graciously and humbly, especially before a capricious king.

Ecclesiastes 8:2-4 I say: Keep the king’s command, because of God’s oath to him. Be not hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases. For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, “What are you doing?” (ESV)

The king does whatever he pleases, whether it is right or wrong, and no one can question him. So obey him and stay at your post whether you agree with the king or not.

Ecclesiastes 8:5-6 Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. For there is a time and a way for everything, although [or when a] man’s trouble lies heavy on him (ESV).

The wise person stays out of further trouble (or evil) with a capricious king. That’s because the wise person knows what to do and when to do it, especially when he or she is already suffering at the hands of the king.

Ecclesiastes 8:7-9 For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be? No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it. All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt (ESV).

When a king’s policies bring harm, understand that you don’t know the future, you cannot postpone the day of your death, the king will not discharge you in the middle of a war, and wickedness will not save you. In other words, desertion and disobedience to the king provides no remedy for his hurtful edicts and policies.

So what are you supposed to do when kings are capricious? What are you supposed to do when rulers are unpredictable or even harmful?

OBEY THEM ANYWAY.

Subject yourself to the governing authorities (Romans 13:1) when their policies align with God’s law (Acts 5:29). But when their policies oppose God’s law, act wisely with grace and humility towards your rulers. Know what to do and when to do it without yourself violating God’s law.

The New Testament is very clear: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment” (Romans 13:1-2).

Now, that was written when Nero was emperor of Rome. He was a ruthless dictator, who set Christians on fire as torches to light his gardens. Yet, by their grace and humility, their influence permeated the empire. In fact, their influence so permeated the empire that within 250 years, Rome had a Christian emperor, Constantine, who sought to implement Christian principles in the realm.

Sad to say, our own government has become heavy-handed in its opposition to Christian principles. Even so, we must learn to respond with grace and humility towards those who oppose.

When the Ottoman Empire threatened Europe, Martin Luther declared, “The Turk is the rod of God's anger against the apostate church, so opposition to it must begin with repentance, prayer, and preaching God's Word.”

You see, God does not call the believer to protest persecution, but to patiently endure it.

Paul Borthwick put it this way: “If a political leader's behavior or stance on issues contradicts what we believe the Bible teaches, we need to step back humbly and ask, ‘Is God showing us something about our spiritual state?’—and then repent of any sin he reveals. (Paul Borthwick, “Praying for the Powers that Be,” Discipleship Journal, November/December 2005; www.PreachingToday.com).