About Those Elections …
“A republic, if you can keep it.” This was Benjamin Franklin’s response to Elizabeth Willing Powell on September 17, 1787, when she asked, “So what kind of government have you given us? A republic or a monarchy?”
Perhaps we are now witnessing the death of that Republic, after 250 years. Many true Americans who love freedom are downcast today. I would like to suggest that we all dwell on five immutable truths:
1. Jesus Christ is still on the Throne.
“I will overturn, overturn, overturn … until He comes, whose right
it is; and I will give it to Him.” Ezekiel 21:27 (KJV)
It is ultimately in the hands of God to raise up rulers and to cast them down (Dan. 2:21). What we have just witnessed did not come about by accident. Setting aside all human schemes and machinations, God is at work to fulfill His perfect plan, and He will win the ultimate victory.
2. The light always shines brightest in the dark.
“Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord
is risen upon you. For behold the darkness shall cover the earth,
and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you,
and His glory will be seen over you.” Isaiah 60:1–2
Throughout history, God has accomplished His greatest works when evil was ascendant. The kingdom of darkness is never so near to shame and defeat as when it appears to have the upper hand. This is a time for faith and courage—not hand wringing and fear.
3. God raises up His heroes in perilous times.
“And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him,
‘The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!’” Judges 6:12
When the Lord called Gideon, the Israelites were totally demoralized, and under the heel of the Midianites. Gideon did not see himself as anything but a weak and fearful man, in a defeated nation. God is calling His Gideons now, and the fearful must be culled from the courageous.
As Gus said to Call in Lonesome Dove, when the storm was brewing and the cattle herd was about to stampede, “We’re about to find out if we’re cut out to be Cowboys!”
4. Heroes are forged in the furnace of adversity.
“Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor,
‘Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised;
It may be that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains
the Lord from saving by many or by few.’” 1 Samuel 14:6
When the situation seems impossible, and the odds are all with the enemy, that is the time that God wins the victory! Jonathan was able to imbue his armor bearer with the courage to go on the offensive, regardless of the odds. We can either be a Jonathan, or the armor bearer. Let us not be among the trembling forces of Saul!
5. Our God-given mission remains the same.
“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15
The old World Order is shaking, the darkness is spreading, and our world looks for a powerful and charismatic leader to bring peace, order, and stability. This is exactly what the coming Antichrist will offer. The time is short, and our opportunity to bring eternal deliverance and hope to the multitudes of this Earth is coming to a close.
This is not a time for fear or defeatism! It is time for each and every one of us who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ to be courageous, defiant against the darkness, and to act as “More than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Rom. 8:37).
May we all, by His grace and enablement, “Play the man!” (Hugh Latimer, English Protestant bishop and martyr, 1555)
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13 (KJV)
In His service, for the victory! “Never Quit!”
Gene
As the chorus in the old song by Bill and Gloria Gaither says,
“Because He lives,
I can face tomorrow!
Because He lives,
All fear is gone.
Because I know
He holds the future,
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives!”