Posted on 02/09/2025 8:43:04 AM PST by EBH
God’s Restoration Through Righteous Leadership: A Call to Repentance and Renewal
This makes for a good Sunday sermon, for it is a reflection on a profound truth seen throughout the Bible: that God, in His sovereignty, raises up leaders who restore His laws and lead His people back to righteousness. Throughout Scripture, we see a pattern of God's intervention in times of spiritual decline and national crisis. When His people stray from His commands or fall into the consequences of their own sinful choices, God does not leave them abandoned. Instead, He sends leaders—kings, prophets, and deliverers—to bring them back to Him. The Old Testament is full of such stories, and they hold relevant lessons for us today, particularly in the United States, as we witness a shift in our national landscape.
Biblical Examples of God Appointing Righteous Kings
The Bible is full of instances where God appoints righteous kings to restore His laws, remove idolatry, and bring His people back to moral order. For example, King Asa of Judah is noted in 1 Kings 15:11-15 for doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Asa took bold action to cleanse the land of idolatry and immoral practices, restoring the worship of the one true God. The passage reads, “Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David had done. He expelled the male shrine prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his ancestors had made.” King Asa did not just govern; he actively sought to reestablish godly order and law, cleansing the nation of sin and rebellion.
Similarly, King Josiah is another shining example of a righteous ruler. In 2 Chronicles 34:1-3, we learn that Josiah, even from a young age, sought the Lord with all his heart and initiated reforms to restore godliness in Israel. He found the Book of the Law that had been lost, and upon hearing it, he wept and sought to obey God’s commands. Josiah removed the idols, repaired the temple, and reinstated the Passover feast, calling all Israel to return to God. His reign is a picture of how a godly leader can usher in spiritual revival and moral renewal.
These examples illustrate a pattern in Scripture: when a nation falls away from God’s law, He raises up a leader to restore it. This principle is not limited to ancient Israel. It is also a timeless reminder that God is still sovereign today. Just as God used these leaders to bring Israel back to Himself, He continues to raise up leaders who are called to restore righteousness in the land. In the case of the United States, we may be witnessing such a shift.
God’s Favor on the United States
In recent years, many have observed what they believe to be a turning point in America. Through figures like Donald Trump, JD Vance, and Elon Musk, there seems to be a renewal of values that align with the moral and logical principles that God established for His people. While no leader is perfect, and while they do not replace the need for personal repentance, God can still work through individuals to accomplish His purposes.
The Bible teaches that when God’s people humble themselves, repent, and turn back to His ways, He is faithful to restore them. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God promises, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." This is a timeless principle that still holds true today. As we see leaders and movements working toward moral renewal in the U.S., this could very well be an answer to prayer, a sign that God has heard the cries of His people and is offering us a chance at revival.
The Call for Repentance
Despite the hope that these leaders represent, the Bible also calls for a national turning back to God. Just as Israel often found itself in rebellion, even under the leadership of a righteous king, so too must we recognize that repentance is needed at every level of society. In Ezekiel 18:30-32, God warns, “Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel?"
God calls for repentance, not just from individual sins, but from the collective sins of the nation. The injustices, corruption, and moral decay that often plague societies can only be healed when the people turn from their wickedness and return to God’s ways. This is not just a call for the political leaders of our nation but for all of us. Whether in positions of power or as ordinary citizens, God is calling all to repentance.
This message is also echoed in the New Testament. In Romans 2:4, the apostle Paul reminds us that “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.” Even as the sins of our land are exposed, we must not see this as God's punishment but as His patience and grace. In the end, God’s judgment is always an invitation to turn back to Him. The same grace He offered the people of Israel through righteous kings is available to us today.
The Miracle of Restoration
As we witness the changes happening in the United States, it’s important to recognize that God can work through any leader to accomplish His will. Whether through politicians, business leaders, or others, God can use anyone who seeks to honor Him and uphold moral laws. Psalm 75:6-7 declares, “No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves. It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.” This verse reminds us that God is ultimately in control, and He raises up leaders for His purposes.
The story of God appointing righteous kings and leaders to restore His laws is not just an ancient history lesson—it is a model for how God works in the world today. The rise of certain leaders in the United States could very well be a sign that God is intervening, answering the prayers of His people, and offering a chance for moral and spiritual renewal. But alongside this hope, there is also a call to repentance, as Revelation 3:19 reminds us: "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent." As the sins of our nation are exposed, let us heed God’s call to turn back to Him, knowing that He is both just and merciful.
God is at work, and the restoration of this nation hinges not only on its leaders but on the hearts of its people returning to the Lord. It is time for us all to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and repent, trusting that He will heal our land.
Anger is OK, any reasonble person should be angry.
But if one takes a step back, looks to a wider view or even a bird's view...something amazing is taking place.
A miracle? Perhaps.
God has indeed smiled on us. RFK, Tulsi, even maybe Fetterman were "red pilled." Are there anymore democrats that will seek the repentance of God and even the mercy of the Nation?
You wrote this?
Great piece.
Thanks for the examples from Israel’s history.
Yes, although I did start with just one example from the Old Testament. In an effort to illustrate there is a pattern I enlisted a bit of AI help with references.
Hat Tip Amigo !
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We truly live in Interesting Times and
Our Holy Scriptures open our Eyes to the Wisdom of God !
As Wise as Serpents/Gentle as Doves.
If I may, I’d like to put a link to this in the Prayer Vigil thread for tomorrow.
Yes, of course.
“…the restoration of this nation hinges not only on its leaders but on the hearts of its people returning to the Lord.“
Amen!!!
Thanks for the ping.
Thank you for posting this. :-)
“God calls for repentance, not just from individual sins, but from the collective sins of the nation. The injustices, corruption, and moral decay that often plague societies can only be healed when the people turn from their wickedness and return to God’s ways. This is not just a call for the political leaders of our nation but for all of us. Whether in positions of power or as ordinary citizens, God is calling all to repentance.”
I don’t think the entire book of Daniel even hints at any specific sinful action committed by Daniel, yet he made a point to confess not only his own sins but those of his people. This is highly instructive.
Daniel 9:20-21 NKJV
Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God, yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering.
“I am angry and get angrier still as each day progresses.”
Anger is something we all experience, but it is also something we are commanded to get rid of. We tend to justify our own anger as “righteous indignation” but everyone who is angry believes his or her cause is just. Notice how rare anger was in the life of Christ.
Ephesians 4:31-5:2 NKJV
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
Well done. Amen!
” I asked the Good Lord to enlighten me as to how I should be responding.”
IF God has indeed given DJT to America as a last ditch effort for the people to turn towards God and away from the road to Hell paved with liberal debauchery, it appears that he forces of evil and those who unwittingly further their agenda in the physical realm are gearing up to fight Trump tooth and nail. I suppose it remains to be seen if the Founders of this Nation, guided by God himself when doing so, allowed for the legal tools necessary to overcome them. So I would say that prayer towards those in power being able to discover what they need to ward off the evil that has overtaken this Country is necessary. And, if America really is too far gone down the road to Hell for recovery, then “Look UP!, For your redemption draweth nigh!”
The priest of a nearby parish where we went to hear a talk recently said something similar. He said with the leadership we now have in place at the top in this country, the next four years are a God given opportunity for Christians to make meaningful strides in the culture, helping to shine the light in the dark places that are being exposed and going boldly forth in spreading the Gospel. It is a golden opportunity that should not be squandered. Who knows when there will be another.
Also, thank you for the reference to King Asa of Judah. I had forgotten about him being such a righteous king, which I usually confine to Josiah and Hezekiah. His story is a good illustration of your point: while he was a good and able king himself and set a good example of removing idolatry and corruption around him, there still remained idolatry in the land. Why? because the people did not rise to the occasion to rid themselves and the land of sin.
Excellent. Knowing the right way to respond is challenging. For some of us, the problem is we already know how we are supposed to respond in many situations but don’t do so.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and meditations on scripture. They are helpful.
2 Chronicles 14:11. A calling from Asa to God. It’s exactly what we are up against. The result of this calling is in verse 12 which happened the last election.
This has been my regular prayer for years now. I truly believe God allowed the past administration to take power to show us - and the world - how depravity destroys a nation. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD." (Psalm 33:12) reminds us that He is ready to forgive, cleanse, heal and uplift the nations who follow His ways.
Why? because the people did not rise to the occasion to rid themselves and the land of sin.
An important aspect insight and incredibly relevant to today
“God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.”
and
God is at work, and the restoration of this nation hinges not only on its leaders but on the hearts of its people returning to the Lord. It is time for us all to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and repent, trusting that He will heal our land.
= = =
I’ve been pondering these verses for some weeks now, since Trump inoguration.
What do you think a ‘healed land’ would be like?
Spiritual, physical, social, ... ???
= = =
I also believe that God has allowed Donald Trump, J.D. Vance, and Elon Musk to lead the Patriots in the USA in cleaning out corruption.
God raises up and tears down leaders at HIS will!
Our pastor feels that God has given the CHURCH in America added time to REACH the LOST for Christ and that we MUST be about our Father's Business NOW!
Your writing is a keeper!!!
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