Image Credit: http://www.123rf.com/profile_lumaxart2d
Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. (Psalm 72:11)
The 2014 elections are history now. The Republicans are celebrating the conquest of the Upper House and the ousting of the evil Majority Leader, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada. They are exuberant after gaining control over both houses of Congress. Now we can really get things done! Me? I am not so sure. I participated in “early voting,” and I do not mind admitting that I voted a straight Republican ticket. Not that I believe Republicans are the salve for all our ills, but I simply cannot bring myself to vote for a Democrat under any circumstances. As I drew near the entrance of the polling place, I was approached by a young woman holding a sign who petitioned me to vote for her. I asked, “R or D?” She answered, “D,” to which I responded, “That’s too bad.” I embarrassed my wife, who thought I had been rude, but I only spoke truth, and I wasn’t ugly or hateful about it, just matter of fact. “D” to me has become repugnant and synonymous with Demented, Deranged, Deluded, Dubious, Destructive, Deleterious, etc. I do not mean to offend my Democrat friends, but, if you are a “D,” you really should repent. (I say that with all due love and respect.)
Having said that, I do not place a lot of hope in the Republicans either. I like them only slightly better because, for the most part, they still support the First and Second Amendments and the Bill of Rights in general. They are largely pro-life, and they favor traditional (male/female) marriage and family values. But beyond that, the distinction between R and D begin to blur. In many ways they are indistinguishable from one another. Yes, I know that we have several solid conservatives in the Republican Party, and I am encouraged by them; but they are not in the majority, and are often disdained by the Establishment Republicans. Still, they give voice to conservative values, and that gives me a dull glimmer of hope. It will be interesting to see how this new Republican Congress will act and how President Obama will react. Time will tell.
The Bible teaches that it is God who establishes and dismantles governments. Paul tells us that “there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Romans 13:1). “And [God] changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings” (Daniel 2:21, emphasis added). To the Babylonian king, Daniel said, “Thou, O king [Nebuchadnezzar], art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory” (Daniel 2:37, emphasis added). “The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret” (Daniel 2:47, emphasis added). “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will” (Proverbs 21:1, emphasis added).
We like to think we are in control, but the Bible is clear as to who is really in charge. “The LORD is King for ever and ever” (Psalm 10:16). However, that does not diminish our responsibility. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:1-2, emphasis added). While God is ultimately in control, He has given the stewardship of our nation to “We the People.” In all of history, there has never existed a nation like the United States of America, whose government has been placed in the hands of its citizens. Therefore, while we still are able, we should continue to pray for our leaders and exercise our constitutional rights as citizens to elect leaders who hold and exercise godly principles. (By the way, one does not necessarily have to be a Christian to hold godly principles, but it certainly helps.) At the same time we should maintain our national motto – In God We Trust. Leaders will disappoint us. Our nation will ultimately fail, but God remains faithful forever. We can trust that God is in charge.
Ernie's Musings 