2 Chronicles 33:9
“So Manasseh encouraged Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to do more evil than the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the sons of Israel.”
Manasseh was quite a contrast to his father. Hezekiah was a good king who led the people towards God and righteousness, while his son didn’t fear God. He led them into idolatry and all sorts of evil.
It’s interesting the power and influence a leader has. Proverbs 29:2 says, “When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.” Present day politics is deceptive. There is untruth and deceit. When measures are put on ballots the titles and language is so misleading people don’t know what they are voting for. That’s corruption. The wicked are ruling.
The media and politicians will use tragedies to get their way. When an individual died during an arrest, it was made to look like the policeman murdered him. Cities were on fire. Mayors and governors were acquiescing to these crowds. It took years to sort that out and see that it was a lie. In the mean time cities were destroyed and the lives of those in the cities were brought down several levels. The minds of many were poisoned to be suspicious. The wicked are ruling. Many were in the wake of the deception.
The righteous respect God and His laws. They tune out the noise of culture and ignore what’s popular. It’s God they fear and the bible is their guide. The church marches to God’s Words. Unfortunately some churches follow culture and not the bible. There is a remnant within, but many are lost there.
God wants us to be leaders who influence for Him. Jesus says we are to be lights in the world. Put that light up for others to see. Share His Word when there is an opening. Bring others along. Show love.
Even though we may feel alone at times God is there and will win. The church is an invisible army whose charge is to love. 2 Kings 6:15-17 gives a picture of how things are. Elisha was going to be arrested by a foreign king for sharing godly insights to Israel’s king. That king got angry and went to stop him. Here’s what it looks like from Elisha’s point of view. “Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, ‘”This is hopeless, my master! What are we to do?” And he said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are greater than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “LORD, please, open his eyes so that he may see.” And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.’ God is with us. We need not be afraid. We aren’t to be influenced either.
Lord, thank You for Your Word and Your Spirit that comforts us and empowers us.