As I write this many citizens are on edge as they grapple with the 2024 presidential election results. Neither party was happy about the candidates they had to select from. Each political party believes they know what is best for America.
- Freedom
- Security
- Economy
- Success
The problem is that both parties are made up of fallen and sinful humans with hearts tainted by sin (Romans 3: 21-24.) Sin isn’t limited to one political party no matter what liars say (1 John: 10.) The Bible is clear all sinners deserve to go to hell, regardless of their political affiliation (Romans 6:23.)
We cannot politicize hell or heaven because only God is just (Deuteronomy 32:4.) Because God is just, He gives success to whom He chooses, not just who we want to win (1 Samuel 18:14.) God’s people must remember that success comes from God alone, not a person and surely not a political party that is bent to the will of man.
What Is Success?
In Mr. Trump’s acceptance speech he continued to boast about his success and accomplishments, he promised to make America successful again according to his terms. But the most troubling thing for me was he never once thanked God for any success God has allowed him to have.
I pray Mr. Trump has a true “Jesus” moment before God humbles him again to remind him where success comes from. More so, I pray our country will humble itself and turn from its wicked ways regardless of individual political preferences and call out to God(2 Chronicles 7:14.) Because that is the only way this country can be truly healed and successful.
Success is defined as, “A degree or measure of succeeding; a favorable or desired outcome.” Success can be either tangible or intangible. As God’s people we are supposed to have a different measurement for success than this corrupt world (Matthew 6:19-21, John 15:18-19, Romans 12:2.)
It is a basic Christian teaching that blessings and success come from God alone (Matthew 6:30-33, 2 Corinthians 9:8-10, Ephesians 1:3, Philippians 4: 19.) Spiritual blessings and success don’t mean always getting what we want, but what God ordains is best for us.
God’s goodness isn’t like the world’s goodness because God isn’t focused on the temporary (Colossians 3:1-2, 1 Timothy 6:10, 1 John 2:15-17, the apostles remembered their Jewish education about the difference between earthly and worldly success.
Ḥāzaq
The ancient world wasn’t much different from the selfish world we live in today. Everyone looked out for their own interests. The Greek philosophy of the pursuit of pleasure at all costs spread well beyond the region of ancient Greece.
The Hebrew word in the Old Testament used for success is ḥāzaq and it can also mean, “Hold, encourage, or stronger,” depending on the context it was used in.
Nations and greedy people fought to achieve whatever success they wanted. God’s creation continued in its pursuit for more that began in the garden with the fall of humanity (Genesis 3:23-24.)
It was an ancient version of the survival of the fittest. God called one man out of a sinful nation and family to follow Himself and promised to make his descendants into a great and mighty nation (Genesis 12:1-3.)
This was the beginning of God restoring creation to Himself, God promised to give His holy people success if they obeyed and turned from the sinful and selfish of the world ( Exodus 15:26, Deuteronomy 8:18; 28:1-4, Psalm 9:14.)
However, it didn’t take long after they entered the Promised Land for God’s people to cry out for an earthly king to rule them and make them successful like other nations (1 Samuel 7:1-17; 8:1-22, Proverbs 1:29-33.)
God answered their request for an earthly king and gave them Saul (1 Samuel 10:1-23.) And Israel prospered for season, until the earthly king disobeyed God (1 Samuel 13:9; 15:23.) Time and again God’s people would cry for an earthly king to lead them to success, in the end, Israel elected and followed evil earthly kings.
- Nadab
- Baasha
- Elah
- Zimri
- Omri
- Ahab
The New Testament opens with the genealogy of Jesus, the prophesied Messiah who would be the King of Israel to usher in peace and success, in His genealogy we see a list of Israel’s kings (Matthew 1:1-17.) Many of the kings who did bring Israel temporary prosperity, but their kingdoms eventually came to an end.
Their kingdoms were of this world and could only achieve earthly success. None of Israel’s kings fulfilled God’s promise of the Messiah. Jesus fulfilled the Abrahamic covenant.
However, much to the dismay of the Jewish people, God had a bigger purpose than simply an earthly kingdom and success. God’s ultimate plan was to restore all of humanity and creation back to Himself.
Jesus reminded His followers of God’s salt covenant and their need to be different from the dark and corrupt world we live in (Matthew 5:13-16.) Jesus taught His followers that God provides for His people and it isn’t like the ways of the world (Psalm 111:5, Matthew 6: number 25.)
If we truly believe in the Christian worldview, we cannot look at success from a worldly perspective. Just like God’s definition of greatness isn’t like the world’s (Matthew 20:26.)
God’s people must never forget God’s ways are higher than ours and the world’s (Isaiah 55:8-9, Jeremiah 29:10- 11.) The success of Israel isn’t dependent on an earthly kingdom, but on God’s heavenly Kingdom to come.
Israel
As I write this, Israel continues its attacks against other nations and other political groups in retaliation for their attacks on Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu has promised to continue fighting until their assaults are successful at permanently defeating their enemies.
This war was prophesied thousands of years ago open the seas Psalm 83:4, Ezekiel 25:7, Daniel 11:40.) God has promised to give Israel the ultimate excess, but no one knows what that success is or exactly when it will be (Matthew 24:36.)
God fights for His people not to accomplish our will, but His (Psalm 35:10, Proverbs 19:20, Isaiah 14:26.) No one knows what the future holds, except for God, because only He is sovereign (Psalm 39:5, Ecclesiastes 6:12.) God’s Kingship is unmatchable.
- Omnipotent
- Omnipresent
- Unfailing
God’s people cannot be proud or boast like the world (Proverbs 11:2.) God doesn’t grant us success for our glory; He gives His people success for His glory alone. Despite what Mr. Trump believes, God alone can make America great or destroy it. That is why God’s people must only look to God for ḥāzaq!
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