The LORD'S Government

Where is the LORD's government?

In Scripture, the “government of the LORD” is often associated with divine rule, justice, peace, and the coming of the Messiah. One of the most cited verses is: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder…” Isaiah 9:6

This verse speaks of a kingdom not built by human hands, but one rooted in righteousness, peace, and everlasting justice — a reign that transcends earthly systems.

If we’re asking where the LORD’s government is, we might be asking:

- Is it within us? As Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21).

- Is it among us? Manifested in communities of justice, mercy, and humility.

- Is it coming? As a future reality breaking into the present; a prophetic hope.

1. “Where does the weight of heaven rest? Upon the shoulders of the Lamb.”

2. “Where is the government of the LORD? In every act of mercy and every cry for justice.”

3. “The throne is not in marble halls, but in hearts that burn with holy fire.”

If a man's steps are of the LORD as it states in proverbs 20:24 - capitalised to include government - how does this work? “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD…” (Psalm 37:23). In Hebrew, the word for “ordered” means established, made firm, directed with purpose. This isn’t passive wandering, it’s a sovereign choreography. When we say “steps are of the LORD,” we’re saying:

- The path is not random — it’s governed.

- The movement is not chaotic — it’s commissioned.

- The journey is not self-authored — it’s co-authored by divine intent.

How Does This Government Work?

If we treat “LORD” as shorthand for the government of heaven, then a man’s steps are:

- Legislated by mercy — not by merit, but by covenant.

- Guided by justice — not just personal preference, but kingdom alignment.

- Empowered by Spirit — not merely willpower, but wind and fire.

This government is not imposed from without, but implanted within. The Spirit writes laws on hearts. This wasn’t available when Moses wrote the tablets but became available after the resurrection of Jesus. The King walks with us, not just above us.

1. “His steps are not his own — they echo the cadence of a higher court.”

2. “He walks not by instinct, but by ordinance — his feet obey the throne.”

3. “The government rests not only on His shoulders, but on the soles of those who follow.”

4. “Each footprint is a decree; each pause a proclamation.”

How Might This Look in Practice?

- In discernment: Decisions are not just “good ideas” but divine alignments.

- In delay: Waiting is not wasted — it’s governed stillness.

- In detours: Even missteps become re-routed mandates under sovereign rule.

Now let me explain the earlier phrase of ‘Empowered by Spirit — not merely willpower, but power of wind and fire.’ This phrase is a poetic distillation of how divine empowerment differs from human striving. Let’s unpack it in layers:

“Empowered by Spirit”

To be empowered by the Spirit means to be animated, sustained, and directed by the Holy Spirit — not just by personal effort or discipline. It’s not about trying harder; it’s about being infused with divine energy.

Biblically, this echoes Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…” The Greek word for “power” here is dynamis — the root of “dynamite.” It’s explosive, transformative power.

Spirit empowerment is not just for miracles or ministry — it’s for walking, enduring, discerning, and loving in ways that exceed natural capacity. This is not merely “willpower.” It contrasts the limited strength of human will with the limitless strength of the Spirit.

- Willpower can grit its teeth, but it tires.

- The Spirit breathes life; it renews, revives, and sustains.

- Where willpower says, “I must,” the Spirit whispers, “I will be with you.” This is the difference between striving and abiding.

“But Wind and Fire” - These are not random metaphors, they’re deeply biblical symbols of the Spirit’s nature:

 Wind:

 - Hebrew ruach and Greek pneuma both mean spirit, breath, wind.

 - Wind is unseen but powerful; it moves things, clears paths and carries sound.

 - In John 3:8, Jesus says, “The wind blows where it wishes… so it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

 Fire:

 - Symbol of purity, passion, and presence.

 - At Pentecost, the Spirit appeared as “tongues of fire” (Acts 2:3).

 - Fire refines, illuminates, and consumes; it marks and empowers.

So to be empowered by Spirit is to be moved like wind and ignited like fire, not just motivated, but transformed. Walk, not in grit, but by gust – not by resolve, but by flame. Your strength is not stored in muscle, but in the breath of the Invisible, where willpower ends and wind begins, where striving fails and fire falls. You’re not driven, but carried.

As They Went

While Jesus was travelling, He entered a village and encountered ten lepers. They called out to Jesus, crying out for mercy. Jesus instructed them to go and show themselves to the priests. The law required them to do this, so their healing could be confirmed. They weren’t healed immediately but they took Jesus at His word. As they went, they were healed. They were cleansed of their leprosy, only after they followed the advice Jesus gave.

As they went, they were healed. They had to take action to receive their healing. As I went, I too was healed. It didn’t happen all at once. Over time I noticed; psoriasis gone, arthritis gone, hay fever gone, depression, obesity, poverty, timidity, fear; it all went as I went, as I continued my walk with Christ.

When you put your faith in Jesus, just keep stepping one foot in front of the other and one day you’ll see; as you went you were healed. Don’t fret. Don’t worry. And don’t quit. Just keep speaking God’s word over your life, keep putting one foot in front of the other. Don’t let the devil sway your thinking, just keep declaring your healing, no matter how it seems or how it feels.

I read a short snippet the other day; two new alter boys, different years, different churches, both dropped the challis of wine on their first day of service. One minister aggressively struck one boy, told him to leave and never come back. The other minister whispered; “One day you’re going to make a great priest.”

The boy who was struck, it is alleged he went on to cruelly rule as a communist dictator for decades. His name; Marshall Tito. The boy who was given words of encouragement became Archbishop Fulton Sheen. He went on to be a television evangelist, reaching millions across the world with the light of God.

Words matter! Jesus’s words matter. The lepers were healed because they listened to the words spoken and they believed in the truth of those words.

Both of those boys who dropped the challis grew according to the words that were spoken over them. They both grew up to become great men. One filled with hate. One filled with love.

Words matter! What comes out of our mouths matter. What we speak over others and ourselves matter. The bible repeatedly emphasises the importance of our words, although no specific numerical count is mentioned, however the concept is a recurring theme throughout scripture.

The tongue has the power of life and death, says Proverbs 18:21, underscoring the profound impact of what you say. By your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned, it says in Matthew 12:36-37. James devotes an entire chapter to the power of words, while Ephesians instructs us to speak only words that are helpful.

Jesus is the Word become flesh. He is the pattern of how we are to live our lives. We are to follow the example He set; to love God and to love one another. Jesus died one of the cruellest deaths of that era, to give us abundant life; whipped, beaten, spat upon, nailed to the cross and left to die in agony. What does He ask in return? He asks that we remember Him often in the partaking of the elements, communing together as we take of the bread and the wine in remembrance of Him.

Let’s do that together now in remembrance of Him. Let us pray; Lord, let us come to You worthy of the sacrifice You gave. Forgive us our sins. Wash us whiter than snow as we take now of Your body broken for us and Your blood shed, that we may have life and have life abundantly. Lord, thank You for Your great sacrifice, so great words cannot express. We praise You, we honour You, we acknowledge You as the One True God. You are our King forever. Amen.