I have previously written about wicked rulers here, and how they are a judgement from God. However, today, I’m going to talk about the promise in scripture that this judgement is not final for those who seek God.
A Promise
Psalm 125 is a special type of Psalm referred to as “Songs of Ascents”. The temple was situated on a mountain, and during the feast days people would be packed into Jerusalem making their way up the path to worship together. These psalms were those that were made for the congregation of God fearing Israelites to sing on their way up the path.
A common theme for a Song of Ascents is to remind the people of the faithfulness of God to his people. The 125th Psalm does this as well and specifically focuses in on how he will not long leave a people who seek him to be ruled by those who do not.
For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
Psalm 125:3a
on the land allotted to the righteous,
In a land that glorifies God, not just in their personal lives, but in the lives of the land as a whole, God has promised that he will not leave the authority of leadership of that land to evil men. From time to time, a scepter of wickedness may pass over a land which honors God, yet God will not leave it rest there.
There are many hardships associated with wicked rulers. Even those who hate God eventually come to experience the horrors and seek relief. Yet, it is only a land which seeks God that serves as a sure deterrent to a cruel reign.
Influential Reign
Today, many imagine man to be independent from external influence. However, the creator of man knows how we work far better. In fact, the reason this inspired song gives for why God will not allow a wicked rule to last over a righteous land is because of the negative influence it would eventually have.
lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong.
Psalm 125:3b
This is certainly not an excuse. If we find ourselves under terrible leadership, we are obligated to resist its influence. However, God is well aware that even a righteous people will eventually suffer influence.
In his mercy, he promises that those who hold fast to him will not have to resist the rule of the wicked for long. This is a great blessing for his people. Not only because of the harmful actions taken by evil men, but because bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33). It is only in the vain imaginations of men that a land of righteous people could remain so under wicked authority forever, safe from influence.
Choose Repentance
Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
Psalm 125:4-5
and to those who are upright in their hearts!
But those who turn aside to their crooked ways
the Lord will lead away with evildoers!
Peace be upon Israel!
While this can be a great promise, it is also something of a curse. To those who are inclined to do the will of God, to seek his ways, it is a great promise for their future. To a corrupt people, it is a curse that they will be lead away by their leaders to still more corruption and evil.
In Christ, repentance is always possible. Lands which find themselves under the judgement of evil leadership must turn to him and learn to obey his commands. It is the very thing he sent his church into the nations to teach.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
Church, we have work to do!
