AMERICA'S POLITICAL GRIEF

by Charles (Chuck) Robey
(Trussville, AL USA)

"Therefore, putting away lying, let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:25-29)

America's 2020 presidential election is quickly approaching. We would all have to be living under a rock somewhere to not realize that this election is the most important election of America's history. The differences in the candidate agendas are colossal, which insures that it will be an election like none other.

God's grief over the various ungodly campaign promises has to be one of major concern for the Christian. From the very beginning of time, down through the ages, God has hated the horrible results of sin. So, grief simply means to feel great distress both in the spiritual and political worlds.

In (Ephesians 4:30-32) we see that grief is the by-product of wrath, anger, clamor, malice and evil speaking. And to forestall such grief, we Christians should always attempt to be kind to each other, tenderhearted, and forgiving. Subsequently, thus enters the disturbing world of today's politics.

God's grief started with the first sin, when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and suffered banishment from the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:1-7)

His grief continued with the flood. Mankind's wickedness was so great that God was sorry and regretted making mankind. (Genesis 6:5-7)

His grief was repeated with the arrogant intent of building the tower of Babel. (Genesis 11:4-8).

And again when Jesus, God in the flesh, looked and wept over Jerusalem just before His crucifixion, due to the unbelief of His people. (Luke 19:41-44)

Yes, throughout the history of mankind, the populace has rebelled against God. Now, fast-forward to America's Twenty-First century. Are we as a people still in rebellion against God? (Psalm 78:40) What about the current ungodly political agenda?

Simply open the daily newspaper, tune in to the TV commentaries, surf the Internet, talk to your neighbor across the back yard fence, or listen to the latest political speeches and debates, to quickly form an opinion. And, sad to say, listen to many of the main-line religious leaders, as well.

You be the judge. I have already seen and heard enough obvious half-truths to form my opinion. It's a simple matter of comparing the various political agendas to God's holy Word. So, now that this political preamble is settled, what is the cure?

Do you remember the 2016 presidential election, which was at that time an election like none other? All odds were against one particular candidate apparently fueled by major political disruptions and untruths. However, in the end, the unexpected candidate won out. Yes, God was surely in control of the 2016 election. (Daniel 4:17) God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Consequently, what will happen with the upcoming 2020 election? My prediction is based on past Scripture history and God's Sovereignty. God might place a certain ungodly individual in power, to teach our nation a lesson.(Psalm 75:7) (Daniel 2:21)

God warned Israel of their stubborn decision to be led by a human king instead of the King of kings (see 1 Samuel 8), God uses bad leaders to teach His people to pursue righteousness and stand up for it. (Also read Psalm 94)

Or He will accomplish the same results as He did in the 2016 election, to preserve and protect the good of America. One thing for sure, He has already decided the outcome of this pending election, by His sovereign will. (Habakkuk 1:5) (Proverbs 21:1)

What may we do, as Christian believers? What is the solution to this apparent progressive society’s evil bent?

There is a spiritual world that we cannot see but that we feel every day. (Ephesians 6:12) And this spiritual realm is surely involved in all aspects of our lives. America's politics is one of the premiere battles of this war. However, thanks to Gods providential sovereignty, there is a solution to this main battle. It comes by way of our being rooted and grounded in the promises of God, our Heavenly Father. (II Chronicles 7:14) gives us a positive plan of action. If we, his people will humble ourselves, pray and seek his face, He will hear from heaven and heal our land, which includes our political system. However, we his people are to make the first move, a move against the ungodly politics of our land.

A concluding comment: someone once said, “Together we can change the world, one person at the time.” So, the challenge is to make our Creator God's principles known to all (Matthew 28:19-20) (Acts 1:8), especially to those politicians running for government. (Romans 13:1, 5, 6, 7)

Let us all be well-informed with respect to the political agendas of this election. Apathy and ignorance is no excuse. We must all do our political homework. We are to seek the truth and make decisions based on Biblical convictions. And above all, prepare to vote intelligently. Amen!

Authors Postscript

This blog has much to say about God's Sovereignty. So what is His Sovereignty? (The following comments are given in part by an Internet article written by Jack Wellman.)

"Sovereignty can be defined as having supreme authority, control, and power over all that has happened, is happening, and will happen in the future in all times across all history. Christians define it as the ruler of the universe, God, having the right, the authority, and the power to govern all that happens and what has, is, or will happen being in accordance to His divine will. He has the right to achieve His purposes and has the power to bring about circumstances that dictate whatever He wills to come to pass. He has complete control of everything and there is nothing that is done that is not done by or allowed through His will. This is expressed by Paul in Romans 8:28 as he writes that “we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28-30)

"His sovereignty includes those who have “been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Ephesians 1:11). That is because He is “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Ephesians 1:21). Knowing this we ought to “Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you.'" (Rom 11:22)

"There is no reason to question the authority and sovereignty of God just because we don’t understand what is happening or what did happen because “Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?” (Rom 9:21) He is free to choose whom to save, He has every right to do what He purposes and all that He does is according to what pleases Him. Don’t we do the same thing?" (Psalm 115:3) (Proverbs 16:9)

"What this verse is saying is that humans might think that their plans are of their own accord, but it is actually “the Lord Who establishes his steps.” Even our bad choices are used for God’s purpose in His sovereignty." (Genesis 50:20)

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8"28)

I understand that I quoted this already when I was describing God’s sovereignty but I wanted to expand on this verse by seeing how it applies only to “those who love God” and only “for those who are called according to His purpose.” Someone who is not yet saved but will be, this verse is applicable but for those who plan to forever reject the Son of God, Jesus Christ, all things work out for the bad (Rev 20:11-15), not the good."