What You Wish For
November 4, 2008 will go down as a landmark day in the history of the United States, that's for sure. It was the day the first minority president was elected, it was a day of massive voter turnout, it was a day of a huge liberal shift in our country.
Four thousand years ago, the people of Israel were disenheartened with their rulers. The sons of Samuel were, in their opinion, poor judges and leaders. These people cried out for change. "Give us a king!" they said to Samuel. "Give us a king so we can be like everyone else!" Samuel tried to warn them - a step toward a king is a step away from God.
Samuel anointed Saul to be king. The bible describes Saul as "impressive" or "handsome." The people were thrilled. Saul looked like a king and sounded like a king. But as it turned out, that step away from God was bad for Israel. History has shown that popular, charismatic leaders who represent dramatic change for their people often fall short of the task. Just in the past century, we can look to people like Lenin, Hitler, Amin, Castro, Mao... men popular during their ascensions, who turned out disastrous for their countries.
Unfortunately, what this election represents is a wholesale turning away from God by this nation. And I am not talking about the election of Mr. Obama. There were ballot initiatives across the country that failed on the basis of personal rights. Here in Connecticut, a fear-mongering campaign pushed out a chance at a constitutional convention, abrogating the rights of many people. In Colorado, Amendment 48 failed, as did Measure 11 in South Dakota, which means more children will be killed. As of this writing, it seems Proposition 4 in California has also failed, meaning more children there will never see the sunshine. At least it appears that Proposition 8 will pass.
The political landscape over the next four years will change dramatically. History will tell if it will be for the better or for the worse. One thing is certain though. All government leaders are chosen by God. The Word is clear on this, in 1Peter 2:
Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
Our duty before God is clear. Barack Obama will be our leader, a leader who is given his authority by God Himself. Yes, we must fight injustice; yes, we must fight for the unborn; yes, we must fight to protect marriage and families. But we must do this within the context of law. And, above all, we must pray for this new leader, be he sent here as healer or a judgement.
Four thousand years ago, the people of Israel were disenheartened with their rulers. The sons of Samuel were, in their opinion, poor judges and leaders. These people cried out for change. "Give us a king!" they said to Samuel. "Give us a king so we can be like everyone else!" Samuel tried to warn them - a step toward a king is a step away from God.
Samuel anointed Saul to be king. The bible describes Saul as "impressive" or "handsome." The people were thrilled. Saul looked like a king and sounded like a king. But as it turned out, that step away from God was bad for Israel. History has shown that popular, charismatic leaders who represent dramatic change for their people often fall short of the task. Just in the past century, we can look to people like Lenin, Hitler, Amin, Castro, Mao... men popular during their ascensions, who turned out disastrous for their countries.
Unfortunately, what this election represents is a wholesale turning away from God by this nation. And I am not talking about the election of Mr. Obama. There were ballot initiatives across the country that failed on the basis of personal rights. Here in Connecticut, a fear-mongering campaign pushed out a chance at a constitutional convention, abrogating the rights of many people. In Colorado, Amendment 48 failed, as did Measure 11 in South Dakota, which means more children will be killed. As of this writing, it seems Proposition 4 in California has also failed, meaning more children there will never see the sunshine. At least it appears that Proposition 8 will pass.
The political landscape over the next four years will change dramatically. History will tell if it will be for the better or for the worse. One thing is certain though. All government leaders are chosen by God. The Word is clear on this, in 1Peter 2:
Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
Our duty before God is clear. Barack Obama will be our leader, a leader who is given his authority by God Himself. Yes, we must fight injustice; yes, we must fight for the unborn; yes, we must fight to protect marriage and families. But we must do this within the context of law. And, above all, we must pray for this new leader, be he sent here as healer or a judgement.
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