Respect for God's Annointed...

We can't go there again!

Okay, a little self-disclosure: My politics are generally what the media would label as "conservative." The election did not go my way. Although I am not a huge John McCain fan, I appreciated his selection of Sara Palin for his Vice-President and would have much preferred his election to that of President-elect Obama.

I have deeply-held disagreement with the policies that an Obama administration is likely to pursue. But now I see an issue developing that is far, far worse than the difficulties that a conservative has with a liberal administration.

People are asking Christians to turn against the coming administration. They want to replay the savage treatment given to President Clinton during his administration. The idea is that we should resist, impair, and hinder this administration to impede the President's policies and weaken his party's political fortunes.

Honestly, if this were an issue of strategy or personal preference in how to address Obama's presidency, I guess that answer would be as good as any other. That IS a good answer by the world's standards.

But, if we are serving the Lord God Almighty that answer is completely unacceptable. This is a good time to re-read the first part of Romans 13, verses 1-7:

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ro 13:1-7

I have, over the course of the Bush administrations, come to confess and repent that my attitude and approach to President Clinton's administration was contrary to God's Word and Will. In fact, last week a dear Christian friend asked me a question that really struck at my heart:

"What would the Clinton administration have been like

if we had prayed for our President as feverishly

as we resisted his policies?"

That stopped me in my tracks. What could God have done with our prayers? Our offerings are always so small, so unworthy... and yet, by His Love, God creates honor in them and applies His mighty power and.. then we stand amazed!

Keeping in mind that God, when speaking to Saul, called David "a man after his own heart" in 1 Samuel 13:14:

"But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. 1 Sa 13:14

(Wouldn't you just love to have God call you "A Man/A Woman after My Own Heart."?)

David had many ups and downs in his life as he in turn held to the highest standards of seeking God's will and then sank to the lowest depths of depravity. One time when David hit a godly high note was when Saul was pursuing David to kill him. Let's take a look at David treated an unjust king:

1 Samuel 24
"After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the Desert of En Gedi.” 2 So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats.

3 He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. 4 The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he saida to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’ ” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.

5 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” 7 With these words David rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.

8 Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. 9 He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when men say, ‘David is bent on harming you’? 10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my master, because he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. Now understand and recognize that I am not guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. 12 May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. 13 As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds,’ so my hand will not touch you.

14 “Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? 15 May the Lord be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand.”

16 When David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” And he wept aloud. 17 “You are more righteous than I,” he said. “You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly. 18 You have just now told me of the good you did to me; the Lord delivered me into your hands, but you did not kill me. 19 When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the Lord reward you well for the way you treated me today. 20 I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. 21 Now swear to me by the Lord that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s family.”

22 So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold."

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. 1 Sa 24:1-22

Are we to do less?

Some believe that Obama is an "end-time" prophesy fulfilled. Some believe that Obama's Presidency will unravel capitalism, our traditions or representational democracy.

[Here's some irony: I just got interrupted in writing and before coming back to task I checked my email. There was a new message from a friend, a dear Christian man, sending links to news articles undermining or making accusations against President-elect Obama.]

My point here is simple: Are you called to follow your end-time beliefs, capitalism, and representational democracy OR are you following Our Lord God Almighty? You fear that the America you know is threatened? We take our "fears" to our Father, the God Almighty. You will allow one, God or your fears, to rule your life.

Don't be fooled by a quick response of "Yeah, but we've got to..." We are now going to find out where our true faith lies. Will we prostrate ourselves before our Mighty Father seeking and weeping for our country and for our President or will we spend our time and efforts on political opposition?

America may thrive for another 200 years or it may all collapse before the end of this year. But eternity will echo forever with the repurcussions of how Christians addressed our fears for America.

Let us all, in eternity, turn back with gratitude and say, "As for me and my house, we served The Lord."