This post was originally published February 29, 2020. I am re-posting three articles at this time to remind us of the Sovereignty of God in the governmental affairs of the nations. Romans 13:1-7 speaks specifically to this issue. Verse 2 says, “For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are put in place by God.” (Tree of Life Version)
With that thought in mind, I submit to you what was written four years ago prior to our 2020 election for the President of the United States.
Let us begin:
A couple of weeks ago, I was reading a small book about the nation of Iraq published by Voice of Martyrs. On the inside cover of the book was the following verse, “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing saying…” (2 Chronicles 36:22, NKJV). (emphasis mine)
My thoughts turned to our own situation as a nation regarding the furor that has been advanced over our current President and his election in 2016. What struck me was that it’s the Sovereignty of God that puts men and women into positions of leadership in our world. Cyrus was not an Israelite king. He was a pagan king chosen by God to fulfill His Word through the prophet Jeremiah.
Is it possible that the Lord in His Sovereignty has put our current President in a place of leadership to fulfill His purpose in the earth? Of course it is, and to think otherwise is not to recognize the Sovereignty of God. That is why we must pray for those in authority over us (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
In Romans 13:1-7, the Apostle Paul gives clear istruction regarding our relationship to those in authority over us in our government. He writes in Romans 13:1, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” As the commentary in my study Bible says, “Paul does not suggest that God approves of corrupt government, ungodly officials, or unjust legislation. Sometimes, however, in punishment for the sins of a people, or for other reasons known to Him, God allows evil rulers to have authority for a time, as the OT prophets frequently testify. Ideally, God grants authority to serve good ends (vs.3,4). How that authority is will be the accounting of each to whom it has been given. Although obedience to earthly authority is the general rule, a clear biblical principle is that we may need to disobey government if commanded to sin, for loyalty to God always takes priority over all human authority. When government officials use force to restrain and punish evil, they are not doing wrong. Rather, they are God’s minister (servant) and are doing good.” ( Spirit Filled Life Bible, NKJV, copyright 1991 by Thomas Nelson, pg. 1709)
Please understand that I am not casting any dispersion on the current administration. I am not sitting in judgment regarding its performance.
That is not what the Lord has called me to do as a believer in Christ.
I am responsible as a Christian for my behavior and conduct as a believer in Jesus Christ with respect to the President of the United States. I may not always agree with him; however, I must respect the office that he holds because he has been put there by God.
David, who was pursued by Saul, understood this principle; he would not take Saul’s life because he knew that Saul had been appointed by God. David respected that choice even though Saul ‘threw spears’ at him. (I Samuel 19:10-12).
I am persuaded that the Lord in His grace and mercy ‘stirred up the heart’ of Mr. Trump to run for President.
Why?
I can only conjecture; but here is my premise.
Since 1900, our nation has been pursuing a pathway of liberal progressivism that has been chipping away at our founding principles as a nation. It is my belief that God has placed a road block in that ideological pursuit to remind our nation of the fundamental benefits of capitalism and how it has been the significant economic foundation of our nation. I understand that many can and will dispute this claim; and I understand some of their reasonings; however, the fact remains that there needs to be a free-market society to generate the finances necessary to properly run the nation. I believe that capitalism has been the most successful. I am not saying that it is flawless. Human nature does not allow that to happen whatever economic system you aspire too.
Therefore, if this is true, then the coming election in 2020 has the potential of being an election between two economic systems: capitalism or socialism.
This election MUST NOT be about which candidate I like or what promises I want fulfilled; but what economic system I choose to be the ‘engine’ that runs our Republic.
Are we willing to look past Presidential personality, political parties and personal prejudices, and focus our attention upon what will be the governing financial ideology of our nation?
If this is what the 2020 election is ultimately about, then the future of our nation is at stake, literally.
I believe that the Sovereignty of God has graciously intervened in our history as a nation to pull us up short and squarely put before us this choice that will determine the future of our nation.
I encourage you to set aside the campaign rhetoric and look intently at the real choice that is before us.
What financial ideology do you want to fuel this nation’s economy, Capitalism or Socialism?
The ballot box will give us the answer.
Now that we have come to the end of this post, I asked us to consider carefully what is the true nature of the 2024 Presidential election?
Are we still fighting personalities regarding who will be President?
Are we still in pursuit of the political progressivism that undermines the founding principles of our nation ?
As a voter in this nation, what criteria do I use to judge the merits of our current administration?
I recommend that you consider the effects that all three branches of our government have had on our nation in the past four years?
Do not allow yourself to be blinded by those who paint a different picture than the reality that is before you.
Do not allow yourself to be deaf to the political rhetoric that lies, deceives, distorts, and puts forth falsehoods to cover up their political agenda.
In short, wake up, to what is happening to our nation.
But, you might be saying, and/or thinking, where is God in all of this?
That’s my point, God is Sovereign. Isaiah 55:8 says, ” “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways.” It is a declaration of Adonai (YHWH, LORD). For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than yours, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (TLV) (insert mine)
Maybe we need to begin there.
Pray!
Turn your eyes and thoughts upon Him.
Ask Him, Father, “what’s up?”
a brother in Christ, deo
Living Words of Encouragement 