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God Sets Up Kings And Deposes Them

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 5, 2008

I'm writing this six days before the general election, but by the time you read it, we will have a new president-elect. Some of us will be very jubilant; some very depressed. It's been an emotionally charged campaign.

But we Christians need to remind ourselves, whether we are feeling very high or very low right now, that it is God who sets up kings and deposes them (Daniel 2:21). Here is the question we need to concern ourselves with now - Where does America fit into God's plans for the next four years? He sets up the rulers in his heavenly game of chess; He moves the kings and queens around to achieve the outcome He wants. If it's His will that we as a nation prosper, then we will prosper - and a few of us will thank God for that. If it is His will that this nation perish, then we will perish - and most of us will blame God for that.

I can only say this - thank God that God is in charge of our destiny. We Americans have become so comfortable wrapped in a false sense of security provided by our government and our fighting men and women, that - even while criticizing, condemning and complaining about the security and the steps our government takes to maintain it - we loll in its comfort and disregard as immaterial any threats to our country. Patriotism - in thought, word and deed - is a dying characteristic. Our collective American backbone has morphed into a jelly-like, politically correct question mark that sooner or later will dissolve into a puddle at the feet of a more focused aggressor.

While it's good that we Christians use what political freedom we still have to vote and support candidates who support our values, we should keep our eyes on the bigger picture. Even Christ did not challenge the political system of His day but rather came to "seek and save that which was lost," as He tells us in Luke 19:10. Our kingdom is not of this world.

Most of us know, and a few of us admit, there are Islamic extremists out there whose stated goal is to bring down America. They have already made many attempts. Let's suppose the terrorists are successful and Americans find themselves living under sha'ria law, bowing five times a day to Allah, and relearning our language and our American history to fit into the captors' version. Would that make us believe in their religion? I think not, because belief can't be imposed on us from the outside. It must come from the heart.

So, another fictional scenario - Suppose Christians accomplished the goals we would like to see. Suppose anti-abortion laws were passed that stopped doctors from removing approximately 250,000 American babies every year from their mothers' wombs. Suppose marriage was legally declared to be only between one man and one woman. Suppose a law was passed to put Bibles back in schools, and teachers actually read a verse or two of scripture every morning. The question, raised by Stephen Davey, pastor and president of the international radio ministry "Wisdom For The Heart," is: Would that make believers of Americans? I think not, because belief can't be imposed on us from the outside. It has to come from the heart.

We Christians have one primary responsibility, the great commission, as Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19 - Go forth and make disciples. We do that by teaching people about Christ, by living Christ in thought, word and deed. Those who know their Bible history know God's patience with immorality sooner or later gives way to judgment. No, it's not the Christians' job to go forth and save America. Our job, as Stephen Davey reminds us, is to go forth and save Americans.

Reporter and columnist Carole Dickey can be reached at (813) 948-4289 or cdickey@mediageneral.com.

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