GOING GENTLY INTO THE DARK WINTER

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

“Therefore, whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same,” (Romans 13:1-3).

Right now, Donald Trump is the president of the United States. Therefore, he is our governing authority. The election results deciding the next president are currently being legally challenged in court. This is the time for Christians to pray as never before! To intercede before God that the man who has shown himself supportive of conservative, Christian values will emerge the clear winner.

However, should this legal challenge fail, and Biden go on to assume the presidency, Christians are obligated to submit themselves to and pray for the new president. If you find that appalling, just remember this. The early church was birthed and its numbers grew under the governance of a cruel & idolatrous Rome.

How far must we submit? To the point where submission to a government would force a crossing of the line into sin. During Israel’s Babylonian captivity, the three Hebrew young men (Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego) were submitted to and serving the pagan king, Nebuchadnezzar. However, there came a day when submission to the king clearly crossed the line into sin. Nebuchadnezzar ordered everyone to fall down in worship to an idol. The three young men refused, because to do so is a clear violation of the first and second commandments. For their stand, they were thrown into a fiery furnace. But, God delivered them so completely that not a hair was singed, not even the smell of smoke was upon them.

Donald Trump has been gifted with an iron will and a steely determination to win. Another man would not be going to the lengths he is to challenge the election. I am thankful for all he has done for our country. And I pray fervently & am supportive of his legal efforts. Who knows? God may use this to help stamp out the famous election corruptions that are in some of our states!

But, what IF he is successful in his challenge? It would be naive of us to think that the opposition would take their upset easily. I can guarantee more riots, protests, and violence taking place. And I would not be at all surprised if military crackdown and mass arrests— martial law, in fact— would ensue.

We find ourselves in the uncomfortable position of being caught between a rock and a hard place. A Biden presidency will mean a progressive agenda that is flirting with socialism. A Trump presidency will mean almost certain violent unrest, necessitating a more authoritarian rule.

God is going to make the call on who our commander-in-chief will be. He will decide this because He is the One who shapes history by setting up one king and putting down another. God has bigger fish to fry than just safeguarding our American freedoms. He has the kingdom of His Son to usher in.

The bandaid that is holding this present world together, will one day be removed. With Trump, it may get ripped off a little faster because of his efforts to bring about a Middle East peace treaty— thus, triggering end times. A Biden presidency might remove the bandaid a little slower, as the socialists are not keen on Israel, a peace plan, or a temple on the Temple Mount.

Either way this turns out, the church is headed for some tough times. We are called to submit to— and pray for— whatever governing authority God sets over us. But, never to the point of violating God’s commandments.

There may come a day when we have to take a stand for God even against our own president.