The upcoming election pretty much has the country in the quandary of having to choose between two candidates, neither of which are most people’s first choice.
Both sides have plenty of ammo to argue against their non-choice. There’s lying, treachery, exaggeration, intrigue, moral failure, compromise, scandal, and more. On each side there’s plenty of history. It is notable that most vocalizations of opinion are not in support of one’s particular candidate and their qualifications, but rather involve pointed and often accurate citing of the disqualifications of the opponent.
Perhaps things should be considered in the light of just one more individual: the one and only (“Echad”, for scripture readers) perfect God.
At the end of the day (and specifically at the end of your days), that will be the issue by which you (and I, and all) will be judged.
396 years ago, prior to our nation formally becoming a nation, the first settlers got down on their knees and made the first “national” covenant with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. That covenant was the first of many promises to serve God and to live according to His ways. Unquestionably imperfect as we’ve been (once again, we can cite the failures of society and leaders) , for the most part our nation has walked in the blessing of covenant. In some ways America has even functioned as an imperfect savior-nation to much of the world. Most of us are generational immigrants, with forefathers risking it all to get here, to a better place.
Meanwhile, covenant-God continues to have His eye upon us, nationally.
SIDEBAR: The Genesis 12:3 promise of blessing those who bless Israel and cursing those who curse Israel remains alive and well, either to our national success or national failure. God’s covenant with, and promise to, imperfect Israel in fact impacts EVERY OTHER NATION’S success or failure based upon their honoring that Genesis 12:3 mandate. Global God. As a nation, this country being a safe harbor for 6MM resident Jews, (during WW2) is notable – and we must be careful here, going forward to the end of this age, particularly with the predictably growing spirit of anti-Semitism around the world.
We would do well to learn from Israel. All the scriptures have been written for our reference and our admonition. God takes covenant seriously. It ramps-up accountability.
If you’re reading this on the www.ez3728.com site, you may have read prior writings re covenant. This is serious stuff. You can topically search that site for themes like Israel, end-times, etc.
God illustrates His perspective on intimate covenant with Israel in the following verses, revealing eternal kingdom principle:
Amos 3:1-3
1 Hear this word that the Lord has spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying:
2 “You only have I known of all the families of the earth;
Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”
3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
Individually as well as corporately, we can choose to ignore, discount or mock the word of God – but history confirms that no one defies God and fares well – non-believer or believer included.
America has for the most part sadly turned faith into form, and relationship with God into religious activity. The result is powerless religiosity that attracts few, except folks inclined to that kind of nonsense. Others, disappointed in for the most part toothless Judeo-Christian faith, look elsewhere to spirituality and sometimes goofy belief systems that have clearly proven detrimental to other societies around the world. By God’s grace, a remnant remains, and we’re all invited into living remnant-relationship with Him, only on His terms.
Fortunately, the one true God remains all about relationship, and all about dealing with mankind to draw people back to Him. And faithful as He is, He continues to deal more intimately and more intensely with those in covenant with Him. Example-always: Israel. Example-now: America.
Personally I am experientially convinced that the one crucified for being king of the Jews is indeed the king of the Jews, and in fact the one and only King and Savior of the world. That global revelation has yet to occur, but it will. Stay tuned.
Whether you ascribe to that same position or are still awaiting the appearance of Israel’s Messiah for the very first time, the fact remains that God is God, and His word – read, referenced, ridiculed or regarded as rubbish, remains His word, and in that word the events we refer to as history are confirmed, while the events happening now on earth have been prophesied.
The greatest critics of the true word of God are typically those who haven’t studied it. That’s sadly amazing, but understandable. To purposely complicate matters, because God is God, He’s sort of booby-trapped His word so that if one chooses to dig into it with their own funky religious or intellectual agenda, it will backfire. Jehovah Sneaky.
As a student of the word, I can say I have seen nothing in history to contradict it. To the contrary, the accuracy is sobering and confirming.
All this to say: a covenant nation straying out of order will suffer the consequences of those choices, not because God does not love His people, but rather because He does. Any loving righteous father will not affirm bad behavior.
Biblical history shows us that (OK) king Hezekiah ruled over Israel a whole lot fewer years than (wicked) king Manasseh. Israel, during the reign of Manasseh, was getting what they deserved. God is in charge over leadership.
Daniel 2:20-21
20 Daniel answered and said:
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
For wisdom and might are His.
21 And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and raises up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who have understanding.
(a heavenly messenger is declaring this same fact):
Daniel 4:17
17 ‘This decision is by the decree of the watchers,
And the sentence by the word of the holy ones,
In order that the living may know
That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men,
Gives it to whomever He will,
And sets over it the lowest of men.’
God knows precisely what people (and people groups) need, earn, and deserve, in the way of blessing, correction, leadership, etc. It is all about getting folks to the understanding that without proper alignment with God, functionally we’re toast.
A nation that votes is yet another long story, but not for this writing.
Governmental formulation was most prophetically revealed in Daniel chapter 2, referencing autocratic Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon (the statue’s golden head) all the way down through the ages to poorly mixed and convoluted governments-by-man (iron and clay legs and feet) until the prescribed time when the supernatural will overtake, and takeover, the natural. I personally believe we’re about at the toes of that prophetic statue right now.
Within our democracy/republic, we find both the freedom and accountability to vote. At this particular season, choices are challenging, to say the least. And we are accountable.
God is observing our choices – whether we individually and corporately consider (hopefully, prayerfully) what platforms, policies and promises least provoke God. In many ways our dilemma is not about choosing between “righteous” or “unrighteous”. Back to paragraphs one and two of this writing. It’s more accurately described as what would be least unrighteous. Sad, but that’s where we find ourselves. Nationally, we’ve consistently unraveled the fabric of holiness, and currently we’re finding ourselves corporately naked.
Not voting is passivity and inaction, leaving the process to others. We’re called to participate, in wisdom and in the righteous fear of the Lord.
Proposed Plumbline: Happily not having written the Book, I appreciate and embrace my accountability to the Book. There are specific sins and lifestyles and activities highlighted in scripture as being, beyond fruitless and personally damaging, particular abominations and provocations to God – all with numerous historical examples of their devastating effect upon individuals and societies. Those elements notably war against innocent life, against God-ordained family, against natural order. You can do your own research there. I would strongly caution, especially believers, to make the choice to tremble at the word of God (says wise Jewish Isaiah in chapter 66). That trembling-choice then postures one for safer relationship with God.
We are admonished, personally and nationally, to consider God’s ways, and then vote in accordance with scriptural principle, rather than by personality preference. God and God alone can reverse the downward course of our nation. It is not about tolerance. It is not about more laws of men. It is not about figuring out how to successfully complete an end-run around scriptural truth. It is about obedience to a holy God who is watching each and every one of us, waiting and wanting to restore, only if and when we may return to Him.
HERE’S THE GREAT NEWS – an eternal promise, an insight into God’s heart for covenant and for deliverance from wicked rulership, and a pointed invitation that it comes down to (and back to) people who will choose to turn back to God, trust Him in obedience, and renew covenant with Him.
Psalm 125
1 Those who trust in the Lord
Are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
(The scepter of wickedness is bible-speak for evil and corrupt rulers)
3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
On the land allotted to the righteous,
Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity.
4 Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
And to those who are upright in their hearts.
5 As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways,
The Lord shall lead them away
With the workers of iniquity.
Peace be upon Israel!
(The fullness of scripture, in both testaments, confirms that the term “Israel” applies to any/all who would enter into relationship with the God of Israel)
All scripture NKJV
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