When we look at America in the natural, with the blatant disobedience and rebellion…the sheer ugliness of what is happening around us, it is easy to forget that the battle isn’t flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). It’s not a comfortable thing to think about principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and hosts of wickedness, is it? But that’s where the fight is, so when we aim our darts at people, we lose ground in the fight, because we are being disobedient to the word of the living and almighty God.
God is a God of purpose, with a plan for each and every person, and as the creator of the universe, He placed each of us where we are for a reason. Who dares question His methods or the people He chooses to use? For now, He has chosen Donald Trump to occupy the White House.
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. (Romans 13:1)
What are we to do with this reality?
What does His word tell us?
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. (Romans 13:1)
It doesn’t stop there. Paul further says:
Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. (Romans 13:2)
I sure don’t want to bring any extra judgment on myself. I choose the respect the Office of the President, regardless of the occupant. To disparage the president, no matter how you feel about him, is wrong according to scripture. We can't attribute every good thing in the economy to a previous administration without also blaming that same administration for all the bad things that might happen. A year and a half into the current term, it's time to let go of what used to be and focus on where God has us now.
 |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:17 |
In 1 Samuel 16, Samuel anointed David King of Israel. During the next many years, David would not raise his hand against King Saul, though Saul was determined to kill him, and he would not allow his men to speak against God’s anointed. That is respect for God's authority of who He places in authority. It's how we should act.
We aren’t called to like Donald Trump or everything he says or does. Aren’t you glad God didn’t put that in the Bible? But we are called to pray for him (1 Timothy 2:2), and to not speak evil of him, or anyone. (Titus 3:1-2).
I cringe at some of President Trump's tweets and his prideful comments. I also cringe at the way his comments and actions are so often distorted in the media. Like you and me, the President is not the finished product, and not everything news personalities and political pundits say about him are true.
Some say Donald Trump is God’s judgment on America (I do not believe this is the case, and the same has been said about Presidents past). But if so, wouldn’t it be ever so important to already be in a posture of prayer?
God’s word is living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword…and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). I think it’s time to put the word of God back in authority in the hearts and lives of His people. God blesses obedience.
If you are unsure of what to pray for the president, here are some starting points:
- Pray for the summit with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un in Singapore on Tuesday. For God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6:10).
- Pray for his salvation, that he be filled with the Holy Spirit.
- Pray that his eyes be opened so that he sees, that his ears be opened so that he hears from God, and pray that his heart is opened so that he understands.
- Pray for maturity in his position.
- Pray that the Holy Spirit infiltrates his every decision.
- Pray that God gives him spiritual wisdom.
- Pray that President Trump is consistently surrounded by God-fearing, praying men and women.
- Pray that God gives him strength to follow through with Godly decisions, even in the face of much opposition.
- Pray for his safety.
- Pray for Truth to sweep our nation, that the blinders be removed from God’s people, and that the Holy Spirit will permeate and saturate this nation in a way that those of us living in this day have never seen.
(Prayer points from a previous post: Quit Tooling Around)
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.
(Psalm 33:12)
I long to live in a peaceful and unified nation; blessed by God to be prosperous and powerful. It can happen. Jesus told us that with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). I look around me, and I acknowledge that unity very much looks impossible, but I remember that the first part of this scripture says “With men, this is impossible…”
But it won’t be free. Someone is praying the price.
That would be us. The Elect. The Remnant.
The Ten. (Genesis 18:32)
It has to start somewhere.
O God, let it start with me.
Amen to all you said. I wouldn't add anything or take anything away from it other than to reinforce the need to PRAY and then PRAY some more and continue to PRAY.
ReplyDeletebetty