November 11
“I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,” 1 Timothy 2:1-3.
On the civic calendar, November 11 is designated as Veterans Day. Originally, the date was designated as Armistice Day in the year 1918. It was the date for the signing of the armistice which ended World War I. Some years ago, the date was designated as Veterans Day to honor all those who have served in the past and who are now serving in the armed forces of our country.
The date reminds us of war and its many atrocities – suffering, death and destruction. It is much more pleasant to speak of peace and quietness. To this end, we are exhorted in God’s Word to turn to the power of prayer for all people, and specifically for kings and all who are in authority. A nation on its knees will progress much farther and faster than a nation in which people are running around doing as they please and doing what is right in their own eyes.
There was once such a time in the history of the children of Israel, when everyone did what was right in his own eyes. This is referred to several times in Scripture. The author of the Book of Judges wrote, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes,” Judges 21:25. If everyone is allowed to do what is right in his or her own eyes, many people will be hurt.
For the sake of living lives that are quiet and peaceful, we are urged to pray for one another, with a special emphasis on praying for people who are in governing positions, who must make decisions that will influence the lives of people who have many different opinions and desires. Pray that God would touch the hearts and consciences of those in our land to choose people in government who have moral standards of decency according to the Ten Commandments and who are God-fearing.
In Scripture, we are told, “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 will forgive their sin and heal their land,” 2 Chronicles 7:14. In the Book of Proverbs, we are told, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people,” Proverbs 14:34. Unfortunately, throughout the world and in our own beloved land we have an anti-Christian movement. If the Christian citizens silently sit by and allow this movement to proceed, only harm will result in the world and in our nation. Let us unleash the power of prayer for the sake of peace and quietness. Then we will be doing what “is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.”
Let us be witnesses for the Gospel, the message of God’s peace and pardon for sinners through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us and sacrificed Himself on the cross to gain for us the forgiveness of sins and the promise of life everlasting. Through faith in Jesus we have peace with God and we will promote peace among men and nations. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God,” Matthew 5:9.
Great King of nations, hear our prayer, While at Thy feet we fall,
And humbly with united cry, To Thee for mercy call.
The guilt is ours, but grace is Thine; Oh, turn us not away,
But hear us from Thy lofty throne, And help us when we pray.
Our fathers’ sins were manifold, And ours no less we own;
Yet wondrously from age to age, Thy goodness hath been shown.
When dangers, like a stormy sea, Beset our country round,
To Thee we looked, to Thee we cried, And help in Thee was found. Amen.