Author: Christian Channel

Daily Bible Study
These two verses come together to speak about the need for godly leadership. To bring peace and stability leaders must root out and deal with wickedness appropriately. Those in leadership are not to knowingly allow evil to flourish under their command. If they do, if they leave it alone, it will thrive and grow until it destroys people's lives and brings down a society. Wickedness if left to fester is like an infection that will not stop until it has consumed everything and killed its host. Evil if left to grow, not only breeds more wickedness, but it also creates a society where people no longer obey the laws and work against rulers. Moreover, once evil begins to grow it will mask itself as something which is good, and evil will accuse the righteous of wickedness in order to destroy others and create social chaos. And that's the message God is conveying here in His word, leaders have a responsibility to follow the Lord and root out evil where ever it exists. Moreover, they are to promote mercy and truth throughout their leadership and require it of the people as well.

And if they do so, and if they follow the Lord with all their heart the Lord will bless them and their nation. Here in these passages the psalmist uses the imagery of the threshing wheel is that of separating the wheat from the chaff, or the bad and worthless from the good and nourishing. Once separated the chaff was taken and burned in the fires. So to God sifts the hearts of men, especially those in leadership. We have to remember God is not like man, God is not waiting to hear our excuses, nor is God going to debate us or let us argue the point. Rather, God searches the hearts and minds of all people and God looks not only at our actions, but the true emotions, desires and motivations behind those actions. God looks at the real reason why we do things and not the reasons we tell others. Therefore God calls all kings and rulers to follow His guidance, and to carry out the same type of steadfast love and faithfulness to their people, which God has shown to us. Leaders are to look out for the welfare and good of the people, they are to help the poor, uphold the laws of the land and to lead by placing the welfare of the people and the glory of God ahead of their own desires and wants.