Deride Clinton and Trump, or pray?

Although we are not citizens of the United States or live there, the Trump/Clinton election battle is intriguing.  Let’s compare the candidates and the country with the history of Saul and David.

#  Israel no longer wanted God to be their King.

The people of Israel told the prophet, Samuel, that they wanted a king like all the other nations.  Samuel felt that they rejected God as their King.  It can be compared to the USA where there are many organisations and groups that fight to get rid of God.  The general impression is that the people of America don’t want God as their King.  God’s faithful followers resist it, but because the devil is the ruler of the world, he controls most of the media.  Thus we are aware of the efforts to banish God from public life.

#  Israel got what they wanted.

God told Samuel to give the people what they wanted, a king.¹  Saul was ‘an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites – a head taller then any of the others.’ ²  Both Trump and Clinton, though not young, have impressive accomplishments.

#  Saul could not stand firm against social pressure.

Initially Saul defended the Israelites against their enemies.  Then God commanded Saul to punish the Amalekites because they attacked His nation (read Church).  Saul did not obey God, but submitted to the people’s desire to save the best possessions of the Amalekites.  Will the president elect take a stand against God’s enemies (abortion, gender issues, same sex marriage, opposition to to marriage, et cetera), or capitulate to the wishes of the masses?

#  Saul wanted to look good in front of the people.

Saul was not interested to obey God, but to look good before the people.  He asked Samuel, ‘Please honour me before the elders of my people and before Israel….’ ³  Both candidates promise everything to everybody.  Fine, but what about the Church?  Will the chosen president honour God through obedience to God’s commands, or capitulate to what the general media wants?  Saul persecuted David so intensely that he in a sense lost his mind and killed all the priests of Nob.⁴

#  Saul focussed on the minor instead of the major.

What was Saul’s end?  Because he was so intent to destroy David, he neglected the duties of kingship.  The nation was overrun by its enemies.  That might happen in the USA, but not necessarily by the invasion of a foreign nation, but invasion of foreign doctrines that are detrimental to the nation.  The family is under siege through confusion about the roles of men and women, et cetera.  Biblical values like love for the Lord, are devalued.

#  David’s reaction to persecution.

How did David, whom we take in this blog as a type of the Church, react?  David constantly went to God through prayer. ⁵  David found his strength in God. ⁶

Conclusion

David’s love for the Lord caused him to always ask God’s direction and help in prayer.  Eventually that is the only recourse for a Church under siege.  God never fails to answer prayer, but it needs committed people like David, who loved the Lord and trusted Him.

References

1. 1 Samuel 8:4-22
2. 1 Samuel 9:2
3. 1 Samuel 15:30
4. 1 Samuel 22:6-23
5. 1 Samuel 23:9-12;  22:5;  17:45
6. 1 Samuel 23:16;  30:6

God, Trump and Clinton

It is time for elections in the United States. Most people are aware of the fierce battles and debates for the coveted position of president.  People like Clinton, Trump and others promise a lot to attract votes.  They play on people’s ability and tendency to change sides (conservatives decide to vote liberal or vice versa).  History teaches that people are fickle.

# People are fickle

Even in the time of Christ people changed sides within days.  For example, during Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, the people cheered Him.¹ A short while later, when He appeared before the Sanhedrin, Pontius Pilate and Herod, His followers fled and the people called for His crucifixion. ²

# God’s wonderful plan

In a sense that fickleness explains God’s wonderful plan.  Each person of the human race has a life time to ‘vote’ (on this side of the grave) who he wants for his eternal leader, God or the devil (if you don’t vote you remain in the devil’s camp).

# Smear campaign

Just like in politics, God’s personal enemy smears His character and derides Him (often as a Cosmic Tyrant). ³ He manifests in many voices that call for God’s resignation as Ruler of His Kingdom.

# Knowledge of the two ‘candidates’

In this life we can thoroughly investigate the characters of God and His opponent, the devil.  The Bible takes time to explain the differences between the two ‘candidates.’ It shows what each one  stands for, and what we can expect from them in the future.  We can weigh the two options, God as Leader on the one hand (‘He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just’ ⁴) and His opponent the devil, on the other (‘the accuser’ ⁵).

The time to ‘vote’ is on this side of the grave, because in eternity there is no longer democracy.  God lets us decide now whether we are willing to accept Him and live now and in future as His children with all the benefits He gives.

References

1. Matthew 21:1-11
2. Matthew 26:59-68; 27:15-26
3. John 12:31;14:30;16:11
4. Deuteronomy 32:4
5. Revelation 12:10