by Jim Hutchens
As the United States receives its new President and Israel will be soon to follow, we need to remember what God says about the authorities he places over us. For example the prophet Daniel says, “The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and places over them anyone He wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men.” (Daniel 4:17). The Apostle Paul confirms this when he says, “There is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1). We must conclude therefore that the ballot box is the means by which God establishes His chosen authorities over us in the United States. LORD, Have Mercy!
There was much prayer by God’s people that preceded this election. Did God answer these prayers? I believe He did in His way. Was this election a reprieve or a rebuke to God’s people? This I do know, God is continuing to work in His people because of the dark and demanding days ahead. The Scriptures are clear, regardless of what the politicians and pundits say, it’s going to get a lot worse — end-time-worse, before it gets better. “This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.” (Revelation 14:12).
In anticipation of that, I believe there is a purifying and cleansing work that God is doing within His people a work that calls for repentance on the part of His people. For Christians it means we are going to have to “clean up our act” seek His empowering grace to turn away from “the sin that so easily entangles us.” For Jews it means they are going to have to humble themselves and cry out to God for His help where there is no fear of God. Probably this will not come until there is the viable threat of total annihilation. In any case, before God moves with dispatch among His people as result of their prayers, there is going to have to be spiritual rejuvenation that takes place among His people. LORD, Have Mercy!
For too long we have looked to government as God and to politicians as saviors. Nothing could be further from the truth. The solutions we seek can never be provided by governments; they are basically spiritual problems that can only be solved with spiritual answers. Whether it’s the economy that has been driven by greed and deception or the threat of Islamic Jihadists that want to destroy us we must seek the Word of God for our answers. Enough of the egalitarianism of political correctness; enough of the nonsense that we are all seeking the same God through different religions; enough of the naive notion that our enemies can be appeased, and enough of the elected leaders that try to sell us this pig in a poke. And where does this all begin?
I believe it begins with Christians. The Apostle Peter said, “For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God: and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (I Peter 4:17). God tells us, Humble yourselves, therefore under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.” As many of us have had to learn the hard way, if we don’t humble ourselves, God has a way of humbling us that often times is embarrassing and painful and results in great sorrow to ourselves as well as those we love. Paul tells us, “If we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.” (I Corinthians 11:31-31).
I believe God is saying to His people, we need to humble ourselves, exercise self-judgment, turn from our self-centered sin and be healed. Remember the promise of God, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (II Chronicles 7:14). LORD, Have Mercy!
Recognizing the spiritual dimension of the enormous problems we face, whether the collapse of our economy, the ever-pressing threat of Islamic Jihadists, or the corruption and cover-up of our leaders, does not preclude action on the human level. There must be major surgery on our whole political system. Leaders must be held accountable. Jihadists must be hunted down and destroyed preemptively. Transparency must be insured in our economic system to reveal and punish the crooks.
As we come to the season of Thanksgiving and celebrate the coming of our Savior and Messiah at Christmas as we think of the miraculous provision of oil for the Temple as we celebrate Chanukah, we need to remember how God has richly blessed us as a people and a nation. What have we that we have not received from God’s gracious hand? We need to remember there is no god like our God the God of Israel the God and Father of our Lord Jesus our Messiah. We need to remember that “Our God will meet all our needs according to His riches in glory in Messiah Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19). At the same time we need to remember the LORD’s question to us, “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? But also remember His answer, “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.”
(Psalm 24:4).
We need you O LORD. By your grace, help us to be all that you would have us to be.
LORD, Have Mercy!
Jim Hutchens is President of The Jerusalem Connection, International and editor of The Jerusalem Connection Report.