Whether it’s Hawke-Keating, Rudd-Gillard or now Abbott-Turnbull, we’ve become accustomed to seeing change in Australia’s highest seat of politics.
And like the other times, this latest Prime Minister arrived in office with an absence of physical violence and social upheaval, reminding us of how thankful we should be for the political stability of our nation.
Ultimately, it is God who rules the world, and every political leader on the Earth would be well-advised to recognise this as they go about their acts of civic service.
For the Bible reminds us that “there is no authority except that which God has established”, and that “the authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1)
As a result, we should recognise the authority of our leaders and be subject to them, even if we don’t like them or their policies, remembering that “the one in authority is God’s servant for your good”, and that we should submit to them, “not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.” (Romans 13:4, 5).
For this reason, our Anglican Prayer Book invites us to pray for all who hold office in our land:
“Grant that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavours on the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, faithfulness and true religion, may be firmly established among us, and make us a blessing to other nations.” (AAPB, p.34)
Whether we’re happy or not with the leadership change in Canberra, we should pray for our politicians and give thanks for the political stability of our land.