"And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not." (Ezra 7:25)

Judges are important to us all, particularly those of the higher courts in every nation. They bear much responsibility to the people, but if we look closely at the Word of God, judges have a great responsibility before the Lord; however, so do those who "set" the judges according to our verse today!

Ezra was told to "set magistrates and judges", not just any magistrates and judges, but those who know the laws of God! When Moses was told to appoint judges, he was to find men "such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness . . . " (Exodus 18:21-22).

For those readers who are in the United States, you are keenly aware that this is an election year. It is interesting to note that our vote will have much to do with the Judges who will be appointed or "set". The Word of God tells us that Judges should be those like in Moses' day, men "such as fear God, men of truth…"

Regardless of where we live, as Christians we have dual-citizenship being citizens of Heaven and citizens of our homeland. If our government has granted us the right to vote to choose our leaders who will appoint our judges, we must be good stewards of our right to vote while we pray for Godly leaders and those who will have a bearing on righteousness in the land. If we live in a country where we are not given those rights, we still have an awesome responsibility to pray for our leaders and those who rule over us, those who will also have a bearing on righteousness in the land!

Isaiah 1:26 says, "I will restore your judges as in days of old, your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City." The judges, according to Isaiah, are responsible for righteousness! Keeping this in mind, if there is any reason for us to exercise our right to vote and pray for our leaders, this is it!

Prayerfully contemplate your vote, remember these verses and God's mandate for Judges who are appointed or "set" over the people. God led Moses and Ezra and Isaiah to appoint Judges who would have a direct bearing on righteousness in the land. Since He never changes, it would be safe to assume that when we cast our vote, we should look to the Word of God and vote God's will!

Father, it weighs heavily on my heart concerning the governing of the nations. You sovereignly placed each one of us in the nation of our birth – we didn't decide where our birth would occur! By that, we understand that You have sovereignly given each of us a task to be good stewards of our nation by exercising the rights afforded us to create and oversee the government that You would have in place! Lord, help me to know how to vote, to be discerning with my vote, and to remember that righteousness exalts a nation! Father, I thank You that I am a citizen of Heaven while I am a citizen on the earth in the country where I reside! Just as I would never disregard my rights and privileges of my citizenship in Heaven, show me how to be a good steward of my citizenship of this land. Father, finally I pray for all the leaders of my country; give them the wisdom to lead us with integrity, sincerity, and power from on high! In Jesus' name, amen and amen!

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." (Proverbs 29:2)

© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved