This week began with the big news that Mr. Trump would return to the social media platform X after trashing it and leaving it when he was permanently banned for his connection to the January 6 insurrection.
Afterward, Mr. Trump started Truth Social so he could control the narrative about conservative politics. Mr. Trump agreed to sit down for an interview with Elon Musk to talk politics and Mr. Trump’s vision for a second term in office. Mr. Trump’s return to X teaches us a lot about the type of man he is.
- Deceptive
- Controlling
- Unfaithful
By returning to X, Mr. Trump boosted the stock of the rival of his own social media network. Mr. Trump’s betrayal sent shares of his own company tumbling and left investors feeling betrayed. But no one should be surprised by Mr. Trump’s latest betrayal.
For years Mr. Trump has been notorious for being a con man in the business world. He even published a book called The Art of the Deal. It is well documented about the numerous business failures of Mr. Trump, including numerous bankruptcies.
Conmen are only faithful to themselves and will abandon whatever doesn’t make them happy or successful. Unfortunately, this is the way of the world, but not God’s people (Philippians 2:3-4.)
What is Abandon?
We have all experienced the feeling or fear of being abandoned. The dictionary defines abandoned as, “To withdraw support, protection or help; cease using.” When we are abandoned, we are helpless and left to fend for ourselves.
As God’s people, we live in a corrupt and fallen world. This world is not our home (1 John 2:15-17.) The Bible calls us foreigners and exiles like our Jewish stepfathers (Romans 8:17 1 Peter 1:1-4.) Like our Jewish forefathers in the ancient world, we have hope.
Although we aren’t home, God promises to be with us and to never abandon His people (Romans 8:31-9, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Philippians 4:6 -7.) The Apostle Paul remembered his Jewish heritage and education about how God will never abandon His people.
God set apart Israel as a nation unto Himself and promised to never leave or forsake them because He wanted to preserve them (Deuteronomy 4:31; 20:1; 31:6-8, Joshua 1:5-6, 1 Chronicles 28:20, Psalm 94:14, Isaiah 41:10-17.)
The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for abandon is āzaḇ and it can also mean, “Forsake, failith, or leave alone,” depending on the context it was used in.
In the ancient world Israel was dependent upon God like sheep are shepherds, since Israel were nomads and farmers, sheep and livestock traveled with them. God’s people knew that good shepherds never leave the sheep, because the sheep are dumb and helpless.
Likewise, God’s people relied upon God to provide for them like a Shepherd (Psalm 23:1-6.) Below are some of the responsibilities of shepherds for the flock.
- Lead
- Protect
- Guide
- Provide
During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He described Himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-18.)Unlike hired hands or shepherds who don’t know the sheep, He will never leave or forsake His sheep. And he tells His followers that He must add more sheep to His flock (John 10:16-17.)
Before He went to the cross, Jesus promised to send His followers and advocate to live inside each of His sheep to lead and guide them (John 14:16-26.) God’s people have the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and fight for us.
Jesus advocates for us in heaven when we lose our battles in this life (Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:27, 1 John 2:1,) God’s people are never abandoned or hopeless. God fights for justice against all odds.
Ukrainian Incursion
The Russian-Ukrainian war has been going on since October 2022. Against all odds, this tiny nation has defended itself against one of the superpowers of the modern world. The United States and our NATO allies have promised to not abandon Ukraine’s fight for justice or the right to defend itself.
This week the world was shocked when the smaller nation launched in incursion into Russia which is 3 ½ times the size of Ukraine. We see a spiritual to that good overcomes evil because God is good and God is sovereign (Romans 12:21, Revelation 12:9.)
- Just
- Omnipotent
- Omnipresent
The great preacher Charles Spurgeon encourages us, “Now, right on our God let us cast the burdens of our bodies, and our souls, for he hath said, ‘I will never leave thee; I will never forsake thee.” God has promised to fight evil and to deliver the righteous. He will not abandon us in our time of need.
He is more powerful than every foe or politician who wants to rule this world. It is humbling to know God sees us and will never āzaḇ us!