AUTHORITIES!

Last Saturday, in what appears to have been the handiwork of a man quite deranged, a shooting incident took the lives of six and wounded fourteen at a political rally in Tucson, AZ. Among those killed was a federal judge, and one of the wounded was Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ). She is still listed as critical, though making great strides forward in recovery.

A horrific tragedy by any count, but also one of the many shooting incidents in US history involving authorities of the nation—members of the judicial, legislative, and executive branches of government. A long history of political violence though, thankfully, shorter than that of many other nations, past and present.

In the rather odd case of Alexander Hamilton (US Treasury Secretary), this worthy was shot to death by Aaron Burr, US Vice President (1804)! In a duel! In 1856, Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina walloped Senator Charles Sumner into a state of unconsciousness in the Senate chamber. President Jackson was shot at, without injury (1835; though he successfully won many duels, killing his opponents); President Lincoln, shot lethally (1865; as part of the same plot, William Seward, Secretary of State, stabbed); President Garfield assassinated in 1881, and President McKinley in 1901. Presidents Theodore Roosevelt (1912), Franklin Roosevelt (1933), Truman (1950) shot at, but without harm to themselves. President Kennedy was killed in 1963. President Ford shot at in 1975 (twice!), President Reagan in 1981, and President Clinton in 1994—all these attempts unsuccessful. A number of members of Congress, including Huey Long (D-LA), Robert Kennedy (D-NY), and Leo Ryan (D-CA—in Jonestown, Guyana), were killed, while five others attacked in the House of Representatives by Puerto Rican nationalists survived (1954). Add to this list a number of federal judges, including John Roll, last week. And governors.

Ruling is a dangerous business!

No wonder, believers are commanded to intercede for those in power.

First of all, then, I urge that
entreaties and prayers,
petitions and thanksgivings,
be made on behalf of all men,
for kings and all who are in authority,
so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life
in all godliness and dignity.
1 Timothy 2:1–2

Darius, the Persian king, recognized the power of prayer offered by the people of God. In his decree in the 6th century BCE, that permitted the returning Jewish exiles to rebuilt the Temple, he declared:

“Whatever is needed … it is to be given
to them daily without fail,
that they may offer acceptable sacrifices
to the God of heaven and
pray for the life of the king and his sons.”
Ezra 6:9–10

And so we pray for these our authorities, rulers, governors, leaders, sovereignly appointed by God. That is an integral part of being good citizens and an essential part of being good Christians.

“Seek the welfare of the city
where I have sent you into exile,
and pray to the LORD on its behalf;
for in its welfare you will have welfare.”
Jeremiah 29:7

I like Daniel’s heart—concerned, humble, and gutsy, as he confronts the Babylonian despot, Nebuchadnezzar.

“Therefore, O king, may my advice
be pleasing to you:
break away now from your sins
by doing righteousness and
from your iniquities
by showing mercy to the poor,
in case there may be
a prolonging of your prosperity.”
Daniel 4:27

It appears the king did repent (Dan 5 details this in his own words). It appears he acknowledged Yahweh. It might just be that we’ll meet King Neb in heaven! Perhaps all because of Daniel.

Pray for those in power!