The big news this weekend has been President Trump’s attempt at a birthday parade for himself. Despite trying to sell it as a celebration for the Army’s birthday, military personnel and veterans know the truth.
For 249 years, the Armory has celebrated its birthday every year in humble events specifically held to focus on our brave men and women. True patriots don’t want or need large and lengthy displays of power. They willingly serve and sacrifice out of love and duty for this great nation. Here is how a local base near me celebrated the 250 birthday with the troops.
The truth is that the majority of military personnel do not support the President; that’s why soldiers needed to be screened before appearing on television for the President’s rallies. Like most dictators, the president wants to have an appearance of strength and popularity.
But not every soldier agrees with the president’s policies, and the president promised consequences for anyone who protested the parade. An 87-year-old veteran was arrested Friday night for practicing his constitutional rights by speaking out against the president.
The cost of the parade received bipartisan criticism when many in our country are facing financial hardships and our nation is in debt. The cost of the parade shows what really matters most to the president and his supporters.
- Greed
- Pride
- Earthly power
- Earthly treasures
What bothers me the most about Trump and his celebration is how it contradicts the fundamentals of the Christian faith. We serve a God of peace, not violence or earthly might. Our Jewish forefathers forgot that and missed their humble King.
God opposes the proud (2 Chronicles 7:14, James 4:6-7). God also opposes rulers who use their strength to oppress the people (Psalm 72:1-14, Isaiah 10:1-3). God’s people are to put their hope in God alone, not earthly strength and power (Psalm 20:7-Isaiah 31:1).
What Is Strength
Strength means different things to different people; it can be control or physical power, or even numbers. Strength is defined as, “The quality or state of being strong, the capacity for exertion; toughness.”
Before my accident, I put my faith and trust in myself and what I could do. After my accident, I realized that it takes more strength and power not to use the power we have. Jesus demonstrated that by not fighting Pilate and willingly going to the cross (Matthew 26:53:54).
Jesus had the power to defend and save Himself, but instead chose to humble Himself and put His faith in the Father (Philippians 2:8). God gives us abilities and influence to accomplish His will, not our selfish wants. We are to do good and serve a greater purpose (Isaiah 64:8, Ephesians 2:10).
That is why the Bible has a lot to say about strength and how we are to serve God and not our flesh (Mark 12:30-33, 2 Timothy 4:17). We can have strength and power we should abuse it or grandstand with it, it is prideful and vain (Proverbs 27:2, James 4:16).
Satan fell from heaven because of his pride and thirst for power; we cannot become like him (Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:12-17). God’s people must trust in God and His power and provision (Romans 15:13, 1 Corinthians 1:14, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Ephesians 4:19; 6:10, Philippians 4:13-19, 2 Peter 1:3).
The apostles remembered their Jewish education about strength and power, and where God’s people’s power comes from.
Ḥāzaq
The ancient world was full of evil, power-hungry rulers who sought and abuse their earthly power. They utilized military might and brute strength to control people and conquer nations. Rulers like Phalaris of Acragas, Hippias of Athens, Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon, and Cambyses II of Persia controlled the ancient world through strength.
The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for strength is ḥāzaq, and it can also mean “Strong, repair, strengthen, encourage, or prevail,” depending on the context it is used in.
Many power-hungry rulers often enslaved or oppressed God’s people, because they were a small and powerless nation. God rescued His people and promised to protect them if they trusted in Him instead of their own strength (Exodus 14:14, Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 91:1-2).
All they had to do was humble themselves and trust God to fight for them. That is why humility is one of the main Jewish virtues for God’s people:
- Humility
- Justice
- Loving-kindness
- Peace
- Torah study
- Charity
- Truth
For centuries, God promised to send Israel a Messiah to rescue and restore them. Jesus didn’t come as a conquering King; He came as a humble servant to remind God’s people to trust God’s strength and ways.
Jesus reminded His followers to put their hope and trust in God’s provision and strength instead of their own (Matthew 6:33-34; 7:7-11). He taught His followers not to use force or earthly strength to get their way (Matthew 26:52, Luke 22:25-27).
Jesus reminded His followers to be peaceful people (Psalm 34:14, Matthew 5:9; 12:14, Luke 6:35).
Israel
In other big news, Israel launched an unprovoked attack on Iran because they felt threatened by them. They failed to put their faith and trust in the strength of their God again. Israel in recent years has become the aggressor in the regions and certainly not the peaceful people God called them to be (Psalm 34:14; 122:6, Proverbs 12:18, Isaiah 2:4).
To make matters worse, President Trump and his administration denied having Israel, then later revealed they gave Israel critical information and helped them with the attack. Once again Israel is trusting in its strength and might instead of trusting their God.
Israel is called to be set apart for God, not to abuse strength and pursue greatness like this fallen world (Exodus 19:5-6, Leviticus 20:26, Deuteronomy 7:6):
- Greedy
- Unloving
- Deceptive
- Violent
Just like the ancient Israelites, Israel has turned to the idols of power, wealth, and control. If we trust God in every situation, we won’t need to use force or violence to get anything. God’s people are called to obey and trust Him in all situations (Proverbs 3:5-6, John 14:15, Philippians 4:6-7). That is why we must only depend on God’s ḥāzaq!
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