bobjots : redux

This piece from The Micah Mandate is timely in view of what’s happening in Perak right now:

What God Has To Say About Perak
by Bob Teoh

Romans 13: 1-7 Respect for Authority

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.

Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority. (Holy Bible – New Living Translation)

More than we will ever realise, the presence of God is ever so pervasive, even in times such as this. The current political developments in Perak seemed to be chaotic. But make no mistakes about it. The God of the Bible is a God of order from the book of Genesis to Revelation, therefore, He is fully in control and sovereign all things, even the intriques and conspiracies in Perak. This passage is only one of the many that tells us God is interested in our affairs, even in deciding who should form the government in Perak.

You mean God is interested in Perak? In the politics of Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional? The answer is an unqualified yes. You mean God puts Sultan Azlan Shah in the Istana in Kuala Kangsar to make the crucial decision at a most critical juncture in the history of Perak? Yes again. You mean God allowed the lawmaker from Umno to defect twice and to collect twice –once from each party? Surely yes. You mean God allowed the two lawmakers currently under corruption charges to make the switch? Yes. You mean God allowed the sole woman lawmaker to let down her own party? Yes, of course. You eman God allowed the 59-seat Perak State Assembly to hang 28:28 with the three who have just switched sides to hold everyone to ransome? Yes, of course.

What sort of God is this who would tolerate Judas and Brutus? An awesome one. A very awesome one. Of all the over six and a half billion people on this planet, this God watches over us and all those in Perak.

The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go both now and forever. (Psalm 121:7-8)

We must remember God even allowed His own Son to be betrayed for 13 pieces of silver. For a purpose. His purpose. This is not the same as saying God condoned all this. No, He doesn’t. He just allowed it to happen. Why? I don’t know. I only know He’s the Sovereign LORD. The LORD God Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth.

In the light of all this, we are left with one thing to do: “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.”

Of course, God is also giving us a choice whether to submit to the decision of Sultan Azlan Shah or otherwise. But remember, we and only we bear this responsibility of making the choice. Just don’t draw God into the folly of choices.

And just what would Jesus say?

“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” (Mathhew 5:9).

May the peace of the Lord be with you.Pray for Sultan Azlan Shah and all the Perak State Asemblymen and all and those in positions of authority (who) have been placed there by God. Amen.

As of posting time, the news is already official – HRH Sultan Azlan Shah has declined to assent to the dissolution of the State Assembly and asked the Menteri Besar of Perak to resign together with his cabinet. There’s a lot of disappointment and even despair among some people I have spoken too. I must admit to feeling the same way myself.

Nonetheless, when I first got involved in politics in 1994, I already expected to be in this for the long haul. As Bung Syed (Dr Syed Husin Ali) used to tell us .. perjuangan belum selesai. The Barisan Nasional will most probably end up as a minority government in my home state of Perak .. possibly inviting more instability in the future .. although I really hope not. The macro situation is bad enough.

I guess I have to start looking for a place to shelf my “Beginner’s Guide to Retiring from Active Political Activism” chapter in my life. The struggle goes on.