I empathize with those who remain angry that Donald Trump is the president of the United States. As people, our perspectives are relative and often transient. God’s word though, is not (Psalm 119:89). I say this because it has occurred to me that with the progression of time, there is almost a call for the bible to meet us in our respective generations. It is not possible for the Word of God to appease culture because as God does not change to suit progressive cultural norms, I reiterate, neither does His Word. Jesus said, “heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away (Matthew 24:35 ESV).” This willingness to make the Word of God fit the times in which we live is not only dangerous, it is not biblical because of the aforementioned verse. I realize that what I am making public is controversial. In that same tone, I would also like to say, I am aware of how the actions of President Trump have been perceived by many who may dislike him. Some of his actions can even be perceived as cruel, hateful, petty, vengeful, narcissistic, and self-righteous among others. However, is God still your standard, follower of Christ, or is culture? With that being said, I do not understand the reasons why God allows certain events. Do you?
I do not understand the reasons why God allows certain events. Do you? What I do understand from the bible is this: it is God and God alone who appoints rulers and it is God and God alone who has the ultimate authority to depose them (Daniel 2:21). Many people are so overcome by anger regarding President Trump that even if they have heard this verse in their lifetime, they are unable to contain this anger in order to have a conversation about the possibility of a bigger picture: the truth of the sovereignty of God. His will be done whether we understand it or not. Albeit sometimes, it unfortunately takes drastic circumstances for us to realize this (Daniel 4:35 NKJV). God gives mercy to whom He gives mercy and compassion to whom He chooses to give compassion to (Exodus 33:19). Moreover, His thoughts as well as His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). I don’t know about you, but I would never sign up to be God.
At this point, if you are curious to know whether or not I voted for Donald Trump in 2016, the answer is no. In fact, I cried in the dark morning hours because as a Black woman and an immigrant, I wondered how the country I had grown to call my home would at that point and in the future receive people who look like me. This fear was realized for many in the coming years. In heated debates with friends, I would feel justified as did they in our extreme dislike for this man. I had friends whose parents voted for Donald Trump. These friends were left having to reconcile whether the parents they had known and loved and who had loved them their entire lives were racists. I also had friends who identified as homosexuals. During these times, they were left having to come to terms with answers they received from the people who had once supported them, but who also supported Donald Trump with their vote. I also lost friends. My position was: “how can you say I am your friend, and vote for Trump with all that he stands for?” I could not have understood then, nor was I willing to try to understand their choice due to my anger. I am just being truthful.
Fast forward to 2020 and here we are once again in a presidential election year. What I will tell anyone who is willing to listen, is this: a lack of understanding regarding God’s bigger plans will leave you angry about Donald Trump this time around as well. I experienced anger from this exact place in 2016. I do not know all of God’s plans; no one does. What I do know is what the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:9: “...we know in part and we prophesy in part” which means mankind's ability to understand is limited. Therefore, we must not lean to our own understanding but in all of our ways acknowledge God so He may in turn guide our paths (Proverbs 3:6). This requires faith. How does anyone acquire faith? Here is the practical answer: We have all been given a measure of it from God and must pray for Him to add His God sized faith to our often times, tiny faith (Romans 12:3). Be honest and ask yourself: when is the last time I had faith bigger than a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20)? If your answer is over 51%, God bless you. For those like myself who fall in the 49% and lower range often, there is hope! God can do the impossible, right (Luke 1:37 KJV)? He can also multiply that mustard seed we have if we give it to Him. We know this from when Jesus prayed to His Father then fed a “multitude” of people with five loaves of bread and two fish (Matthew 14:13-21). How? By the power of a prayer and the ability of God to multiply even what seems impossible to us humans. I know the faith I am challenging many to have may not be readily accessible considering our world today, but hope placed in a truly loving and merciful God is never hope wasted and it is wise to meet God in His mercy rather than His righteous judgement and wrath.
In addition to hope in God never being wasted, He has also never lost control and has always had a plan for the day that Donald Trump would become the President of the United States of America. Because I am determined to share what people would rather not share from their minds and hearts, I believe the election of Donald Trump was intended to open many eyes, rattle many sleeping plans of the enemy, and uproot the hate we live with in our hearts that when buried, helps us to justify ourselves as “good people”—Jesus says there is no one who is good but the Father (Mark 10:18). Even more, Jeremiah 17:9 shares that we cannot trust our own hearts. What’s the alternative? Trust God. There are many reminders in scripture as to the tactics of the enemy (John 10:10). Of these, we must remain aware at all times.
With that being said, it is my hope that you ask God to reveal to you the true nature of your heart. I believe some of us have forgotten that sin equals sin. I also believe that many of us are ready to convict Donald Trump for the things he has said and done outwardly and boldly but forget that nothing he is doing or saying is new to this world. This does not make some of his words or actions right, because many of them are not right. This is my stance because I cannot knowingly side with wrong and say I know Jesus. Having said this, is it possible that many are angry at Trump because in such a shock to our systems, He is forcing us to question who we thought we were: upright and righteous when in fact we are wolves in sheep’s clothing living dishonest lives with dishonest hearts trying to, maybe even unintentionally, fool the world? This is not about Trump, this is about you.
My brothers and sisters, these past few years have been less about Donald Trump and more about the shaking that is needed to expose those who say they live for Christ but do not: judgment begins in God’s house (1 Peter 4:17). I do not believe that hateful individuals only patronize stereotypical places of commerce. I do not believe that hateful individuals are mostly those from the lower economic or non-college educated strata. What I do believe is this: we do not have time to remain ignorant and hateful because God's people are being destroyed for a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6. KJV). If Donald Trump sitting in the highest seat in the land did not shake you into rethinking your life and salvation, I pray you do not miss the very few opportunities we all have left to seek God before the return of Jesus Christ.
This post is not about whether you agree with Trump or not. It is about whether or not you will be the follower of Christ that you claim to be and be obedient to God and honor this man as the leader of The United States of America. By his actions and the words he speaks, I do not believe Trump knows Jesus. Additionally, the truth is: Donald Trump could spend his entire life doing wrong things but can call out to God at the last minute (Luke 23:39-43 & Ezekiel 18:21-28) and be saved over those who call themselves lifelong Christians. This is the sovereignty, mercy, and love of God who would rather us repent (turn from our wicked ways), submit, and be saved as opposed to spending eternity in hell—a place that was not created for people, but “for the devil and his angels (demons) (Matthew 25:41 AMP).”
Truthfully, there is not one perfect human being in existence. If it was up to us, Donald Trump would never be forgiven for what he has said and done. Thank God it isn’t up to us. Does he deserve forgiveness? Does anyone deserve to be forgiven? Scripture tells us that if we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us (Matthew 6:15). Once God does forgive us, it is final. He removes our sins as far as the east is from the west and remembers them no more (Psalm 103:12 & Hebrews 8:12). We cannot trace God or understand His plans if He does not reveal them to us. For those who say they believe in Jesus, here is your chance to lead by the perfect example in love and truth regardless of how hard the truth might be to hear. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one will meet God except through Jesus (John 14:6). We cannot pick and choose when the Word of God applies and not. We also cannot take the parts we do not like and add sprinkles of our own truth to them—this is unwise (Revelation 22:18-19). Moreover, Matthew 5:43-48 NIV, says this:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[ and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Our obligation as followers of Christ is not to our feelings. Our obligation is to obey God. If you perceive Donald Trump to be your enemy then the Word of God says to pray for Him. As a leader, the Word says to pray for him (1 Timothy 2:1-4). I believe that it is in all of our best interests to pray to God to bless, guide, and preserve Donald Trump’s life. Ask God to help Trump to lead this country as God would have it led whether it may be for the next few months or the next four years. We must also do the same for whomever may be the president of The United states of America after Donald Trump. I believe that the enemy I do not know, is the enemy who is most harmful to me. Keep this in mind: Donald Trump does not hide how he feels and what he thinks. Can you imagine the things done or said by our leaders that God sees and hears that mankind does not? (Please see Ezekiel 8: 9-17 for context)
I challenge you to:
1. Seek to know God through reading your bible. When you want to genuinely know God, He will show up in your life like He promises. A few helpful verses: Matthew 7:7-8, Luke 11:9, or James 4:8.
2. You must walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). What you see, hear, and feel has never been all there is. God uses foolish things to puzzle those who think they know it all (1 Corinthians 1:27). Therefore, your intellect also has its limitations.
3. Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the only one with all the answers. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and all His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33 KJV).”
Encouragement to Get You By
3/14/2020
I think many of us at this time are struggling to stay afloat in more ways than one. We are seeking answers and seeking someone, anyone who will convince us that the life we knew and enjoyed will return to normal again. We must be very careful of this mindset as we are told that the anti-christ and those who work for him will appear as saviors during the most difficult of times and deceive many people."If possible" scripture says, even those who God has chosen, may be deceived (Matthew 24:24). We rally so strongly for those whose ideologies align with ours hoping that when tough times come, they will be the leader that we voted for. Let me share with you that while God chooses the leaders of the world, He IS the ultimate leader. We will never know an earthly leader with all of the answers. Seek after the only One who has every resource to heal every aching part of your heart, body, or mind--the only One who has the power to create a clean heart, and renew a right Spirit within you (Psalm 51:10)--the only God (Yahweh) who has all of your answers. May you put your hope only in the Lord Jesus Christ because in Him alone is our salvation (John 14:6).