Biblical Principles for National Security and Government Protection
Biblical Principles for National Security and Government Protection
The Bible provides various principles for national security and government protection, emphasizing God's sovereignty and the importance of faithfulness. Psalm 127:1 states, "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain" [1]. This verse underscores the idea that human efforts towards security are futile without God's involvement.
The concept of God's protection is a recurring theme in the Psalms. John Gill notes on Psalm 48:11 that "the free favour of God in Christ" serves as a bulwark to the church, highlighting the significance of divine favor in ensuring security [2]. Similarly, Psalm 94:22 affirms that "the Lord is my defence" and "my God is the rock of my refuge," emphasizing trust in God's protection [3].
In 1 Corinthians 10:31-33, Paul outlines two guiding principles for Christian behavior: doing everything for the glory of God and avoiding actions that might harm others' faith. This passage suggests that national security and government protection should be pursued in a manner that honors God and promotes the well-being of others [4].
The Psalms also stress the importance of integrity and uprightness in leadership. John Gill comments on Psalm 112:8 that a heart established in the doctrine of grace and faith in Christ is not easily swayed, and such steadfastness is a foundation for security [5]. Psalm 25:21, where the psalmist asks for preservation through integrity and uprightness, reinforces this idea [6].
The biblical concept of trust in God is closely tied to national security. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown note on Psalm 25:15 that the psalmist's trust in God is fixed, and this trust is a source of security [7]. Similarly, Psalm 35:23 highlights God's righteous government as a hope for the pious and a terror for the wicked, underscoring the role of divine justice in maintaining order [8].
Calvin's commentary on Isaiah emphasizes the need to sanctify God in times of crisis, recognizing His power and control over the world. This involves acknowledging God's sovereignty and honoring Him accordingly, which can lead to a sense of security and calm [9].
The Bible consistently portrays God as the ultimate source of protection and security. John Gill notes on Psalm 89:17 that "the Lord is our defence" and "the Holy One of Israel is our King," emphasizing God's role as protector and ruler [10].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Protection — God is able to afford -- 1Pe 1:5; Jude 1:24. God is faithful to afford -- 1Th 5:23,24; 2Th 3:3. Of God is Indispensable. -- Ps 127:1. Seasonable. -- Ps 46:1. Unfailing. -- De 31:6; Jos 1:5. Effectual. -- Joh 10:28-30; 2Co 12:9. Uninterrupted. -- Ps 121:3. Encouraging. -- Isa 41:10; 50:7. Perpetual. -- Ps 121:8. Often afforded through means inadequate in themselves. -- Jdj 7:7; 1Sa 17:45,50; 2Ch 14:11. Is afforded to Those who hearken to God. -- Pr 1:33. Returning sinners. -- Job 22:23,25. The perfect in heart. -- 2Ch 16:9. The poor. -- Ps 14:6; 72:12-14.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 48:11: Mark ye well her bulwarks,.... Such as the free favour of God in Christ; which is not only as a shield, but as a bulwark to the church; his everlasting love, electing grace, the covenant of grace, with its blessings and promises, all which are more immovable than rocks and mountains; and especially the power of God, which surrounds his church, as the mountains did Jerusalem; and by which they are kept and preserved as in a garrison, Psa 125:2. Also salvation by Christ; his righteousness, sacrifice, and satisfaction, which God has appointed for walls and bulwarks, and”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 94:22: But the Lord is my defence,.... The defence of his church and people, of all the righteous, against those great armies of their enemies that gather together against them: the Targum, in the king's Bible is, "the Word of the Lord shall be my weapon:'' and my God is the rock of my refuge; to whom recourse is had for shelter from the enemy, and against which the gates of hell cannot prevail: both characters, rock and refuge, agree with Christ, the essential Word of the Lord.”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 10:31: 10:31-33 Paul concludes his discussion by summarizing the two principles that are to guide Christian behavior in issues like this: (1) Believers are to do everything for the glory of God (see Col 3:17; 1 Pet 4:11); (2) believers are not to give offense and should avoid doing anything that would harm another person’s Christian faith (cp. 1 Cor 8:9, 13; 1 Jn 2:10). Christians’ behavior is to be guided by what is best for others rather than by personal privilege (cp. Rom 14:13-15, 19-21; 15:1-2). These two basic principles lie at the heart of Paul’s advice on”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 112:8: His heart is established,.... With the doctrine of grace; which is food unto it, and by which it is strengthened and nourished; it is established in the faith of Christ, both in the grace of faith, and in the doctrine of faith, even in all the doctrines of the Gospel; so that he is not as a child, tossed to and fro with every wind; his heart is established in the exercise of grace, and he is steadfast and immovable in the discharge of duty. This being the case, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies; until he looks them in the face boldly ”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 25:21: Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,.... Meaning either his own, as in Psa 7:8; and then the sense is, either that God would preserve him, seeing he had acted the faithful and upright part in the government of the people of Israel, and they had rebelled against him without a cause; see Psa 78:72; or that those might be continued with him, that he might not be led aside by the corruptions of his heart, and the temptations of Satan, and by the provocations of his rebellious subjects, to act a part disagreeable to his character, as a man of integrity and uprightne”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 25:15: His trust in God is fixed. net--is frequently used as a figure for dangers by enemies (Psa 9:15; Psa 10:9).”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 35:23: (Compare Psa 7:6; Psa 26:1; Th2 1:6). God's righteous government is the hope of the pious and terror of the wicked.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 14.21: immoderate alarm is, that wretched men do not raise their eyes and minds to heaven. The Prophet now, therefore, proposes a suitable remedy for allaying terrors, that they who dread the evils which threaten them may learn to give to God the honor due to him. To sanctify the God of armies means to exalt his power highly; so as to remember that he holds the government of the world, and that the beginning and the end of good and evil actions are at his disposal. Hence it follows that, in some respects, God is robbed of his holiness, when we do n”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 89:17: For the Lord is our defence,.... From all their enemies, being all around them, as a wall of fire to protect them, and as the mountains were round about Jerusalem, and being kept by his power as in a fortress, strong hold, or garrison, unto salvation; or our shield (f); see Psa 84:9 as are his favour, righteousness, and salvation, Psa 5:12 or "to the Lord belongs our defence or shield" (g) our protection and salvation is from him: and the Holy One of Israel is our King; he who was to be, and is of Israel according to the flesh, and is holy in his nature, life, and ”