Government for the People

Isaiah 9:7
"Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this."

As I read this verse this year I keep staring at the word "government." A few things come to mind:

1) I should want nothing more than government by God. Our world suffers at the hands of men. Our country, great as it is, is being brought down by men, like every over great country in the history of the world. What is government by God? I have no idea. It certainly is not government by people who claim to be Christians. That's what we've had and what we've got now. It must be something different. It must be something spiritual. What thoughts do you have on this?

2) All human governments will end. We place our faith in them at our own peril.

3) Government by God means peace. If there's a lack of peace, there's a lack of God. War is a test, not a validation, of the character and faith of people.

4) False peace is the most deceptive power on earth. It is a "form of Godliness" with no power.

The problem I see in my life is that not only do I want to trust the human government over me, but I want to trust the human government within me. All of it eventually fails. Advent reminds me of this fact and of what God offers as a better alternative: "Christ in me, the hope of glory."

Who's running things in your life and world today? Is there a lack of peace that shows a lack of God in your life?