I woke up Sunday morning to the news that the US government had shut down (it has since re-started). My first thought was “will anyone notice?”. Of course, we’ll notice. Maybe not right away, but probably at some point when it touches us personally.
I also read that when the government is shut down, social security checks are still issued, veterans’ hospitals remain open, and the military is still on alert. Most government employees do not get paid, but some do. Congress would still get their paychecks (Ah).
Winston Churchill said in a speech to the House of Commons on November 11, 1947: “Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.…”
Imperfect people cannot create a perfect government, no matter how hard they try. Isaiah 9:6, however, promises that a perfect form of government will be ours one day: “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.” [NKJV]
The government will be upon Christ’s shoulders. The ensign of office used to be worn upon the shoulder, symbolic of sustaining the government. Unlike our government which seems to sustain the politicians running it; Christ shall sustain His government in righteousness. Christ will not only wear the badge of government, He will shoulder the burden of it.
Father, I long for the day when all governments of earth shall pass away, I long for the day when imperfect people, and often evil people will no longer rule us. I long for the day when the Perfect Christ shall sustain the government. I long for that Benevolent Theocracy to come! Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus. Amen.
