In this am going to address the 5th of the six questions that my brother asked and it says:
How should l understand Paul’s teaching in this chapter in light of what is happening in Uganda, first, and elsewhere in the world?
What Apostle Paul (read Holy Spirit) wants you to understand is that make sure you do not commit a sin you can avoid. Make sure you do not participate in any mission until you have been anointed particularly for that mission. Over the last 50 years, Uganda has struggled with wars after other wars. The people of Uganda (just a generation away) do remember vividly what they have gone through. Each leader that has come to power has had an altar filled and dripping blood of Ugandans. Uganda is a beautiful country with the most beautiful (read humane) people on the continent.
This country has a bloody history and as a Theologian, I have observed the hand of God in this nation. What I haven’t grasped yet is the intention of God’s involvement in the affairs of this country. After a series of leaders who fought killed people and exiled incumbent leaders to take their seat, in 1986 God brought Mr Museveni Yoweri Kaguta who to-date (28th August 28, 2018) is the incumbent president. He too came into power through the same means (guns and killing) after a long guerrilla war that lasted over 10 years.
As I write this today, he has been in power for over 31 years and he has already expressed his intention to contest in the next elections in 2021. To me, this leader is one of the best things that has ever happened to Uganda given its history, and am not surprised God has kept him in power for this long. I can confidently say that it had never happened and it will never happen in the history of Uganda for another president after President Museveni to be in power for this long. To me, I think God has kept this man in power for this long to make sure he rehabilitates this nation given its past.
However, this president has suffered two problems in principle:
- Complacency and,
- A different Generation.
The life and experience of President Museveni can only be demonstrated by that of King David. In the guerilla wars of both David and Museveni, they were joined by the distressed, the discontent and whoever was in debt (1Samuel 22:1-2). Throughout those years Museveni, just like King David, was helped and celebrated by all people and viewed as the Liberator (2Samuel 3:1, 5:1-10, 1 Chronicles 11-12, Psalms 133, 106-107). King David, just like President Museveni, holds the record of the longest reigning king of the united kingdom of Israel, 33 years.
This mighty king, just like the president of Uganda suffered two problems and these are complacency and a different generation. The Bible says
In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. (2Samuel 11:1).
After many years of Museveni (David), being celebrated, a series of victories within and beyond the borders, he became complacent and left national issues in the hands of Joabs. There is nothing that has messed up Uganda as the modern Joabs. Powerful policy makers and boot lickers who leave the king in his comfort when he is wrong and oppress the citizens. The complacency of the president has given birth to the complacence of the opportunistic leaders around him, and this is how the citizens have fallen victims.
Another failure of David (Museveni) was that he outlived his generation and found himself in another generation. Museveni too was a youth when he liberated Uganda and kept reminding Ugandans that twebaka ku ttulo (now we can sleep). Gone are the days when during campaigns, David (Museveni) reminded the Israelites (Ugandans) how bad Saul (Amin & Obote) was.
After the generation of the past that experienced the atrocities of past regimes and understood the history of this nation has passed away, we are now face to face with a generation that knows nothing at all about that and one that has different challenges. Judges 2:10 says:
After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel.
Uganda is now 40 million people and over 76% of that are the youth. No wonder the current president who belongs to two generations ago addresses them as BAZUKULU (grandchildren).
When you read the book of 2Samuel chapters 13-24, you will notice that reign of David was shaken to its core foundations by the youths – some his sons (13-18) and others his bazukulu (20). King David became a fugitive and fought many battles with the youths. He neutralized the government but still had to pass it on to a young man Solomon eventually (1Kings 1-2).
David was a good politician and he managed the youth pressure and contained the succession battle very well. I hope President Museveni too will conduct a peaceful transition of power when that divine time comes.
For the youth (a new generation) to be fighting the old man, I take this is a warning to all sectors of life. After the youth take charge of politics, religious people also should be on alert. For there is no reason as to why the church/Mosque administration and pulpits should be in the hands of our ancestors. So while religious leaders are asking their fellow old man to leave power, they should also be warned that this revolution is not for only one man but for all of those above 59 years.
So my brother, what is happening in Uganda and elsewhere in the world is an issue of complacent leaders working with greedy opportunistic complacent policy makers superintending over a distressed, discontent and economically indebted different generation.
What Romans 13 wants you to understand is that civilizations come and go, and governments rise and fall. However, unless the Lord has anointed you to participate in the rise of one government or the fall of a particular government, keep in your lane and do what you are anointed and appointed to. Don’t be a self-made hero, and neither should you be a political martyr. God is responsible for change and he will let you know when to participate.
The Bible says:
The nations of the world are worth nothing to him. In his eyes, they count for less than nothing– mere emptiness and froth. (Isaiah 40:17 NLT)
God blesses each regime with a span of time so it might prosper and do well, but this blessing ends when a nation becomes degenerate, rebellious, and unfit for self-rule. This is determined by God not by our votes, processions, riots, emotions and feelings. When God determines that extended mercy for a nation has no redeeming effect, He marginalizes or destroys that nation. And it is no more.
Be clear, be smart, do not get lost in the translation or become the sacrificial lamb of the transition, unless you have been anointed and appointed for that.
God bless you and: THINK & UNDERSTAND (2Tim 2:7 NLT)
Pr ITM White
The Gospel Hawker
iTiS Well of Worship Fellowship (John 4:24)
iTiS Well of Worship Fellowship (John 4:24) 