Another day of infamy went down once again in the political pipeline of American democracy on July 13th when a lone individual attempted to murder former president and republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump.
Now, there are some conspiracy theories floating around social media about whether gunman, Matthew Crooks was alone in this plot and the peculiar lack of security. I took the temperature of social media by reading some of the comments on this incident and many, as expected, were zeroed in on menial, irrelevant facts such as the gunman was a registered republican while trying to assassinate a republican candidate, and how ironically his parents held social service occupations. I will take a that’s besides the point approach to facts such as these. I believe this incident was a reflection of the vitriol that exists in American politics, and more urgently, what on God’s green earth is going on in this nation as a whole. The more this country snatches its hand away from God, the higher the quicksand rises, and in doing so, we are forgetting who we are and losing our identity in Christ.
There was one foreign individual who took notice of the American spiral almost ten years ago. Immediately following a 2015 victory in Miami, Florida, Cuban born MMA fighter, Yoel Romero shouted, “What happened to you, USA?” He also implored that we turn back to Jesus. I saw this video for the first time a few months ago and there were two things I took from it. (1) Romero’s statements were made nine years ago, and one does not have to be a news junkie to recognize the moral collapse taking place in this country since his statement. (2) If a man, reared in a foreign land, with exceptionally broken English could observe and identify the fall of this wonderful nation, then why can’t the people who are native here?
The answer is that we place our trust in our politicians. As a nation, we hold allegiance to those in authority as if they were God themselves when they are nothing but flesh and blood, vulnerable to the very weaknesses we all struggle with. And then we have contempt for anyone who has the audacity to disagree with us. I find it ironic how many politicians at the federal level go into office with average salaries but come out as millionaires but yet we trust them with everything in us. But that is another story for a different day.
I have read the, “What happened to America?” comments quite frequently from people all around the world. They may not have ever lived here but it’s as though they are perplexed or even troubled by what’s going on here more than we are. We are sinking in the middle of the ocean, giving no fight to the enemy.
There is nothing wrong with voting. I vote. I participate in the democratic process. The difference today, now more than ever is that we must think before we follow. I haven’t always done that but the wisdom of God has brought revelation to me. I was loyal to my party no matter what. But as I began studying the Bible, burying my head in the Word of God, I had to determine where I stood – Is it on righteousness or moral decay? I had to decipher which politician or political party’s values lines-up more with the values of the Bible. There is no finding perfection in any of it, so we must analyze our political decisions – not through our own eyes or our feelings, but with the eyes of God, Who is Spirit. We are as much a party to the Spiritual realm as we are the natural.
What took place with this assassination attempt was spiritual and it’s incumbent upon the Christian to look at it through this lens. From the naked eye, Crooks was alone on that roof. This is what the god of this world wants us to believe. I am here to tell you, it’s all lies. There were unclean spirits occupying his mind commanding him to do what he did. And he surrendered. From the reports I’ve heard, he was a decent kid in high school, had a job at the time of this incident, and had no criminal record. What could take someone from zero to one-hundred sixty in a matter of a few years? Satan. A seed was planted and Crooks chose not to release it. He watered that seed and the outcome is what we saw. The worst of it is that there is a strong possibility this young man is on the wrong side of eternity. The media would never mention these types of things because it does not fit the narrative, it’s too uncomfortable, and quite frankly, the devil does not take too kindly of being exposed. If so, people may call on Jesus.
Crooks had his assignment and so did God. As I’ve said before, God alone has authority over life. A bullet struck this man’s ear. Another whizzing past his head. Had Trump’s head been positioned slightly more to the right, this miracle would have never been witnessed. This was not luck, this was an act of the Living God. We witnessed a divine interception live on national television. Quite simply, it was not Trump’s time. What are the chances of this happening without Supernatural intervention? We can even look to the acts that precipitated this. Citizens notice a guy climbing a rooftop with a gun, they notify the police, and the guy still gets a shot off. We do not know why the Lord did not thwart this plan earlier but we can assume. Maybe it was so the world can witness His glory and remind us, ‘Yes, I still do miracles’. Or maybe it was to humble Trump. Let’s face it, at times Trump’s confidence is overridden by arrogance. Perhaps God wants to encourage Trump’s trust in Him even more and continue the good work he’s been doing, fighting for the spirit of this nation. No one knows. What we do know is that since ancient times, God has been intercepting the plans of the devil. In Daniel 6, Daniel’s jealousy-filled enemies concocted a plan to have him killed. They manipulated the king into passing a law that went against Daniel’s beliefs. Daniel remained faithful to the point he was willing to risk death, so he broke the king’s edict with a steadfast determination to pray. He was then thrown into a lion’s den and left to die. Miraculously, the lions did not consume Daniel but obeyed the Spirit of God.
Donald Trump has given us every reason to think the way we do about him and some may even use his past to crucify him. His past was dirty, it was public, and on display for all to see. However, it was nothing compared to the past deeds of the Apostle Paul, arguably the greatest evangelist in the history of the Gospel. If God can pluck Paul from the gutter, He can do the same with you, me and even Trump. God does not weigh our past but weighs our trust and obedience in Him. What we cannot deny about Trump is that he is a staunch proponent of three major issues our country is divided over yet, these subjects are in accordance with Scripture; the traditional family, fetal rights, and a tenacious determination to declare the name of Jesus in front of the world. It just so happens he represents the Republican Party. Here’s a look at how these key topics line-up with Scripture.
Traditional family: Haven’t you read, “he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said, For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh? Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Matthew 19:4-6)
Fetal rights: Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him. (Psalm 127: 3)
Proclaiming Jesus Christ: Therefore, whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before others, I will disown before My Father in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33)
God hammers on these truths in the old and new testaments because of the crucial nature they represent on the stability of the world. If a society wants to thrive, I believe it cannot minimize the importance of these three factors. Without family, there’s no community. Without community, there’s no society, without society, a nation consumes itself.
We must know there is a deliberate attack on the family – not only in the States but worldwide. For many years, the United States has been deemed the leader of the free world which makes the American president the center piece. God defines man, woman, and child separately but collectively for we are His creation. In other words, you cannot have one without the other. Donald Trump has staked his allegiance to this biblical dynamic and was almost killed for it. I believe there is no other reason. So to the Christian, the world is what it is. It is blind to its deeds and the wrath of God is on it. But we have been set apart, called to represent the Gospel of Jesus Christ the best we can. No longer can we suppress the truth as a means of comfort for the Bible records, “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” (Romans 8:5). The Lord declares Spirit over self.
If more people, or better yet Christians, would only thirst for the Spirit of God, I believe God will restore our nation. Every Christian should be praying for our leaders regardless of political affiliation. Our hope is to fall back from that dark Sodom and Gomorrah alleyway, repent and turn back to God. At this moment, God is withholding His wrath for His mercy abounds. Engage His love and mercy today.
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 I will hear from heaven,
and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
-2 Chronicles 7:14
Hi there to all, for the reason