The big news this week has been about the first election since President Trump and the GOP took complete control of our government nearly one year ago. Many conservatives were surprised by the blowout of the Liberal Party against what was once a conservative party.
While many conservatives are complaining about not getting the results they wanted, they need to remember how a democratic republic works, we have a representative democracy, where the majority of the people elect the leaders they want to represent them in the government.
The majority rules; and the minority must submit to its leadership. For nearly 200 years, Americans have chairs their freedom to vote for whichever party they choose:
- Republican
- Democrat
- Independent
The colonies broke away from the monarchy of England to be a self-governed nation where the balance of power resides with the people, not power-hungry and privileged leaders. For nearly 200 years, we have been a diverse nation, yet we have never been so divided as a nation as we have over the last 5 to 10 years. American citizens still have the power to choose who they want to lead them, regardless of political or spiritual ideologies.
The freedom to vote for our leaders is one every American should exercise once they are of legal age. Every vote truly does count because in America, the majority decides to is elected as our leaders.
Regardless of who we choose, it is ultimately God who appoints governments and leaders (Daniel 2:21, Romans 13:1). Unfortunately, God’s people have rejected Him and His ways in exchange for earthly greatness and earthly leaders (1 Samuel 8:7, Jeremiah 2:13).
What Are Leaders
The world understands that leaders can make or break a community. A leader is defined as, “Someone who directs another’s way or a person with commanding authority.”
We can’t all be leaders, because someone has to be following us and our example or directions. We each have the freedom to choose whom or what we will follow. Who we follow can be a good or bad leader.
Satan himself was a high-ranking angel in heaven until he led a third of the angels astray and they rebelled against God. Later, Satan used the same tactic to lead mankind astray in the garden (Genesis 3:1-27)
Since we live in a fallen world full of broken and evil people, it is best to follow God’s lead and His ways. That is why the Bible has a lot to say about leaders and who we should follow (Acts 20:28, Romans 13:1-7, Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Timothy 2:1-2; 3:8-13, 2 Timothy 2:24, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).
Our leaders reflect God, His nature and ways, not this world and its evil ways. God cares about who we choose to lead us (Deuteronomy 17:14-20, 1 Timothy 2:1-2). That is why we want to seek God’s will and purpose whenever we choose our leaders (Philippians 2:5-8, 1 Timothy 3:1-5, Titus 1:7-14; 2:7). The Apostle Paul remembered his Jewish education about leaders and who God’s people should follow.
Nāśî’
The Torah tells us that the ancient world was a violent and chaotic place due to the evil ways of mankind (Genesis 6:1-6). Nations chose strong leaders to unite the people and bring them victory and prosperity.
The ancient world was full of greed and the pursuit of temporary happiness. Mankind followed their evil hearts and flesh instead of seeking God’s will. They chose earthly leaders to make them great at all costs.
The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for leader is nāśî’, and it can also mean, “Chief, one lifted up, prince, captain, ruler, or vapor,” depending on the context it is used in. Despite God wanting to be His people’s King, they rejected Him and cried out for earthly leaders like other nations to make them great (Judges 8:23, 1 Samuel 8:7; 10:19, Hosea 13:10-11).
So God raised up kings and leaders for Israel, but unfortunately, Israel chose many evil kings who didn’t follow God’s ways:
- Nadab
- Baasha
- Elah
- Zimri
- Omri
- Ahab
- Ahaziah
For 400 years, God was silent as Israel waited for God to send the Messiah as their King to lead them into peace and prosperity. Jesus arrived as a humble King and servant that God’s people would once again reject, just as the prophets foretold (Psalm 118:22, Isaiah 53:3, Zachariah 11:12-13).
He opposed the religious leaders of His day and set a new example for God’s people to follow (Matthew 23:3-5, 37-39, John 10:10-17).
Our Lord flipped the narrative on what true leadership and greatness are in God’s Kingdom (Mark 6:34-35, John 13:12-17). He warned His followers not to abuse their position or power like other earthly leaders do (Matthew 20:25).
GOP Shut down
In other big news this week, the current government shutdown has now become the longest shutdown in America’s nearly 250-year history. The GOP lead House is still out on a recess while getting paid for doing nothing.
The political bickering in Washington is not helping America at all. American citizens are being neglected by the leaders they elected to represent them and their interests in Washington. The least of these are facing hardships like never before in the richest country in the world.
Both parties continue to blame each other for the shutdown, despite the GOP controlling both chambers of Congress and the White House. The only thing this GOP is fighting for is more power by eliminating the filibuster to give themselves more power.
One year ago, the GOP was boasting about having all the power in Washington, yet they have accomplished nothing for the nation or the people they represent:
- White House
- House Of Representatives
- Senate
As of this week, the House of Representatives has been out of session for over a month, while the government has been shut down, and they are still receiving their paychecks.. Unfortunately, many have forgotten that God raises up leaders and governments to accomplish His will, not our selfish wants or even a political party’s agenda (Daniel 2:21, Romans 13:1-4). Ultimately, God’s people need to trust God more than power-hungry earthly nāśî’ (Psalm 22:28)!
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