Note: this has been updated to include Joe Biden.
Dear saints and those patriotic zealot church people who need to give it all up,
Hopefully by now those of we Americans who are so disposed have our patriotic passions fully under control! I’ve never had so many emails and social media posts over the last few weeks IN ALL CAPS PREDICTING THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT!
Seriously? Can we Americans and western believers get a grip here?
Do we really believe God is absolutely sovereign? Do we? I think not….by the actions and fear that most professing Christians exhibit by God’s election of Barack Obama and now Joe Biden.
That the Ancient of Days, as brother Daniel called Him, and His omnipotent power is beyond all possible human comprehension? That He’s already in the future with us? Oh, we of little faith?
Or are we more like the pagans who are so filled with unholy fear worrying about things yet to come? Or perhaps we’re too worried about our comfort here in this place called earth, and not acting like an alien and stranger?
People asked me who was going to be elected. I told them I believed wholeheartedly “whoever God chooses.” Good to remember this passage.
For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” (Romans 13:1)
Shouldn’t we try something clearly obedient from the lips of Jesus like loving our enemy? I heard about a pre-teen so-called “Christian” child right after his election that they hoped Obama would be assassinated.
That didn’t take long.
Who do you suppose gave them that demonic notion? Her parents and other W Bush and now Trump zealots?
I also heard from a brother some time ago who reported that for 8 years all he heard was Clinton bashing, and then Obama bashing. And the first week George W. and also Trump was in office the plea was now “let’s pray for the President.” Will history repeat itself? God forbid! Prayer is a great tool.
But I wonder what the Father thinks about hypocritical prayers. You ought to see the email I get from many of our brethren around the world. They view this excessive patriotic idolatry from we American Christians with a combination of a-musement, sadness, deep fear over our true spiritual condition, and sarcasm.
A long, long, long time ago a well known powerful leader assumed wrongly he had the last word about those under his control. Fortunately for us, an even more well known and powerful leader rebuked his detractors theology right to his face:
John 19:10-11 So Pilate said to (Jesus), “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”
So who “elected” Obama? And Biden?
God did.
Out of pure, devoted, and gracious merciful love as He judges America and the world in perfectly pure and holy righteousness. It was His choice for us all along. And His choices are always best.
And He’s not even a Democrat. Nor an American. Can we imagine that?
He is so so much bigger than all this geopolitical patriotism. He also put in power the late Saddam Hussein. Even Adolf Hitler, who conveniently arranged the murder of 6,000,000 Jewish human beings. All for His purposes. I don’t pretend to understand, but I want to obey and please the Master anyway no matter what.
Don’t we all?
What was God’s reasoning for these election results? I have a sincere leading, and you might too. Time will tell.
What if we Americans would put half the effort into intense fasting and prayer for all the Kingdom issues that please the Father as we did with late election shenanigans? He probably would have already sent Jesus back to earth for us all!
I saw in the news a quote by a prominent mega church pastor who is politically involved hook, line, and sinker. He stated with apparent great disappointment that God always answers prayer but often not the way we want. Amen, and a good thing He does it that way, no?
Let’s get way beyond the only two “below the belt” concerns that most American Christians seem to concentrate on: abortion and homosexuality. These are worthy issues, but there’s dozens of others too.
Now what?
1 Peter 2:17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
Honor the king, His Word says. And when Peter wrote that Nero was the guy who had Christians dipped in paraffin wax and setting them on fire alive during his garden parties. Imagine the smell of burning human flesh.
Some might ask who won my vote this time. I don’t vote for the “lesser of two evils.” Why, that would be unholy behavior to vote for any evil, no? I’m apolitical. And a faithful diligent kingdom citizen.
What about you and your family and church?
It’s all under His control. It’s all in His time. It’s all the way He wants it. Any time is a good time to repent I’ve found personally. God bless George W. Bush, Donald J. Trump, and cause them both to repent and be saved from the American Jesus and that false gospel.
And God especially bless Barack Obama, and Joe Biden. They both are going to really need it.
Especially with all the unloving hate and prayerlessness he’ll now receive from the “American Jesus” worshipping, Republican voting, self-professed evangelical, institutionalize Billy Graham, Max Lucado, Dave Ramsey, Donald Trump, John Maxwell church “brand.”
Will you now join with me over the next four years to faithfully beg and beseech the Father and God’s Son through His Spirit for Joe Biden’s soul, and for his wife, and for his precious family who desperately need Christ? By their fruit you shall know them…
Because if you, as an American, voted for George W. Bush, Donald Trump and/or John McCain, Sarah Palin (Sarah Palin? Are you kidding me?), chances are you’ll never utter a prayerful word of honor or kind merciful salvation for Obama or Biden and their equally lost family. Other than perhaps a reluctant prayer for these corrupt politicians to preserve your stuff…your money.
And God, your Master, would consider that a sin, wouldn’t He, when you prayed so diligently for Republicans while ignoring you current earthly ‘king?’
Can we all say ‘hypocrite?’
Be holy in all your behavior, the ancient writings proclaim.
Your friend and brother in fighting the good fight,
Marc
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Saints, we’re one day closer to Home, and Him! Love Him wholeheartedly!
You may view our Archives here: MONDAY MANNA – ARCHIVES; Complete Archives; feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion. May our Father richly bless you with His grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in order to walk worthy of His name.
Please comment on this post right below. Feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion.
Your brother in Africa says
Well said Marc,
I have been amazed at the post-election emails I’ve received from friends who would swear up and down that they firmly believe in God’s sovereignty, but somehow can’t believe that Obama’s victory was God’s will.
So this edition of Walk Worthy was music to my hurting ears.
Your brother in Africa
Marc says
Dear brother,
Thanks for the encouragement. I’ll be sending out the comments I’ve received thus far. As you can imagine, I’ve gotten quite a few!
Your brother says
Marc,
As a first generation Canadian whose ancestors lived in America since 1638, I have always maintained a lively interest in US affairs. Your piece on the election is a model of sober thinking. I am carrying on an email conversation with a prophetic brother from the US who is convinced that Obama will never see office now or in the future and Sarah Palin will become president. I don’t know what he does with the line of succession that comes into play when a president is assassinated (he doesn’t say that Obama will be assassinated but strongly hints at it). Will the Speaker of the House, the Secretary of State, and all others in line also be assassinated? No wonder some non-believers think we Christians are nut cases.
I think that we all put too much trust in government to bring about righteousness in our nations. The church, rightly functioning and filled with the Spirit, is the greatest change agent in the history of the world. Evangelism, not printing an X or pulling a lever, will change your and my nation. And the most encouraging recent sign is the movement toward house churches. They are far from perfect yet but it has been a quantum leap from the mess we used to call church.
Bless you, brother
Marc says
Dear brother,
Thanks my friend for your encouragement, and you’re sober and accurate assessment of the ridiculousness of our current situation here in the states. I’ll be sending out the comments I received on this issue very soon for there is quite a few of them. Again, thanks for your encouragement and I hope to visit your area sometime in the near future!
Brother Marc
Your sister in England says
Very good article Marc…from the English one!
Your sister in England
Marc says
Dear sister,
Thank you dear one. Come see us again soon.
Your brother says
Marc,
I agree we should not be in fear. I am actually pretty excited about the possibilities of Christians having to shine as a light in darkness not putting their trust in a political agenda. Pharaoh could have come to his mother and said God raised me up to be the most powerful man in the world and he would have been right. The important question for Pharaoh was why he was raised up. It was for God to demonstrate His power and that God’s named would be proclaimed in all the earth, to Pharaoh’s shame. So to simply say it is God’s choice is a bit trite. It’s not like everyone in office is there because of their Godly behavior or even favor with God. However, I agree we should pray for not against our president.
There certainly are other issues than the two below the belt. Israel is a big one, the poor, excessive taxation (stealing) and others. However there is a qualitative difference between who we tax or how we give to the poor and sticking scissors into the skull of a living baby and sucking his brains out or slicing off his arms and legs or even changing the nature of marriage which is a reflection of the relationship between Christ and the Church. To dismiss them as simply issues below the belt is severely trivializing the dismemberment of human beings. That’s like calling the holocaust the Jewish issue because you are not looking at piles of naked disfigured bodies.
You obviously have a passion for Christ and a distaste for half-heartedness and misplaced trust, but it would be wise to not trivialize Biblical life issues by simply making them part of a philosophical debate or cute phrases “issues below the belt”. Hitler put an end to unemployment in Germany. A great man? When someone sacrifices morals for money we call that prostitution.
God bless you in your pursuit of Him,
Your brother
Marc says
Thanks for taking time to write and express your heart. Obviously, in a short articles it’s impossible to cover all the bases. However, I never meant to trivialize abortion or the placement of unholy men in positions of authority over believers. It came off that way, it certainly wasn’t my intent. I’m sure you agree.
But the Lord was willing to take out the Ephesian church in Revelation 3 for just one sin, and that’s a real scary thought. My point in saying what I did was that Christians, by and large, are absolutely unbalanced and distracted regarding the Lord’s basic commandments in Matthew 5 through 7.
Marc
Your sister says
Dear Marc,
My nine-year-old granddaughter already prays nightly that the O. family will be saved and be right with God. I like to think that the Romans 13:1 discussion we had with her brother is partly responsible; but probably more is the compassion she feels in her sweet heart for those who are outside the family. She learned at her mama’s knee that God loves everyone and from her AWANA book that He is not willing for any to perish although they can choose to. It is her prayer that the O’s not choose to.
Thanks for the blessing of your good words. God is indeed sovereign and will prevail.
Your sister
Marc says
Sister – that’s the Spirit of Christ! and your rewards in Heaven are waiting for you in His love. Keep loving the king and THE King.
Marc
Your brother says
Marc,
I really appreciated this word. And I join with you in praying for our new president elect, Barak Hussein Obama and his family.
Pursuing Jesus by the grace of Father,
Your brother
Marc says
Amen, dear brother — keep confounding the enemy and his principalities and powers.
Brother Marc
Your brother says
Brother Marc,
It is also written that if a people do wickedly GOD will set up WICKED rulers to oppress them. When GOD installed Saul, He told the people that if the people do what is right, so will the King, but if not, the King will not, either.
GOD also said that he raised up Babylon and Assyria to punish Israel! GOD raised up and established Israel’s enemies because of His Wrath.
We are commanded to pray for all rulers; but Yeshua taught us a good tree does not bear bad fruit, and vice versa. Wanting Obama assassinated is an abomination, but it’s equally an abomination for us not to face the Biblical reality: Obama’s past tells us that he is a wicked man. He was installed by GOD to JUDGE America…but IF we fast, pray, and seek Him with repentance He can still turn it around.
Don’t be in denial; 09-11-2008, Katrina, the roller coaster economy, are all JUDGMENTS. So is Obama…but as Israel fasted and prayed and received reprieve, America can also.
But GOD will not cease to judge if we complacently continue to be more absorbed with our lifestyles and money than with spending time in prayer and His Word.
I can honestly say that in the last 25 years I’ve seen “The Church” in America just become more and more backslid, dead, and complacent. I’ve tried to organize prayer meetings for years – no one is interested especially not ministers. The “Church” is more interested in the dead, dried up programs of men than in His Presence. Believers today are more interested in money, and living like the world than holiness and being in love with GOD. BELIEVERS need to repent, repent deeply, and return to their First Love, YHWH and His Son, Yeshua.
Make no mistake about it: Obama is GOD’S WARNING that He can take all that we love away from us UNLESS we learn to love HIM above all things.
If we don’t repent, fast, pray, humble ourselves and seek His face (not seek our own desires) He will deliver us. If not, we can only look forward to more judgments.
May YHWH bless you and keep you. May YHWH make his face to shine on you and to show you his favor. May YHWH lift up his face toward you and give you peace. B’Shem Yeshua HaMashiach ben YHWH.
Your brother
Marc says
You keep preaching the Word, brother. Stimulate one another to love and good works.
Marc
Your brother says
Dear Marc,
Interesting read.
Since God elects a president, why did you bother to vote? Why should Christians be involved in the political process at all? Since God elects a president, I assume He also elects governors, senators, mayors, city council members and school board members. Since God elects our leaders, not us, our free will to study the issues, prayerfully discern which leaders would best conform to God’s desire for His Kingdom on earth, and vote accordingly is meaningless.
So, since God “chooses” our leaders, why should any Christian vote? And, specifically, why did you vote?
Your brother
Marc says
Hello brother,
Good question. However, I don’t vote for the lesser of two evils. In addition, there are so many things that John McCain and the so-called Christian Sarah Palin stands for that are un-biblical and that Christians should personally disagree with, how can they in good conscience vote for him as well?
Spend your time in pure kingdom matters and we’ll never be sucked into the worldly poli-tricks system!
Marc
Your brother in Australia says
Marc,
We are also told in His Precious Word, that a nation will be given the leaders they deserve, according to the state of that nation towards Him. (refer to King Saul.)
God elected Obama, the people voted for Obama, but God would rather that the nation repented for all their evil, and were in the position to have the leader that the nation deserves for being righteous, rather than the leader they deserve because of unrepentance.
Bless Ya Heaps
Your brother in Australia
PS: don’t blame me, I didn’t vote for either of the parties!
Marc says
Dear brother,
You’re certainly right about our nation being better off if we would have repented for the evil and all the misdeeds in God’s name. However, God’s name will never be mocked. And He’s more interested in holiness than our creature comforts here on this earth. Thank again for writing.
One day closer to Home and Him!
Marc
Your brother in India says
Brother Marc,
…and He’s not a Republican either. Wonderful article. With your permission can I post it on my blog?
Love,
Your brother in India
Marc says
Brother,
Oh right! Thanks for pointing that out. And of course, you have our permission to post it on your blog. We love you dear brother and hope to see you again soon
Brother Marc
Your brother says
Marc:
It’s been a long time! This election has taken up a large part of our spare time – time we have had a lot of since the demise of the commercial real estate business – and for the first time I have really listened to both sides of the discussion. I have been in the past a Kool aid drinking Republican and quite content with my knowledge that God was on our side.
After listening to most of the discussion and all the debates, the incessant commercials and reading both Obama’s books I came to the conclusion that Obama is the right man for this time in history. One of my prayers is that this man with his truly unique background can bring healing to the deepest open sore in this country’s physiological landscape – the racial divide.
I provide this context to comment on how we have been treated as pariah by our Christian friends and in particular friends with whom we had have participated in a weekly bible study for many years. And this during a study of David emphasizing the Providence of God and His utter control over the outcome of history. Everyone’s amen was strong when David is raised up from overwhelming opposition, but no one could the connection to the current situation when God raised up a man with opposing views.
I appreciate your comment about the abortion and gay issues. I don’t know of anyone who thinks abortion or homosexuality is a good idea or that is it does not grieve God when we commit sin (unless perhaps the lesser sins of gluttony or gossip or slander), but as you said there is a whole stack of other issues like loving our enemies and tending to the widows and orphans. I agree that had we spent as much time in honest prayer as we have chasing wind, the outcome might be the same, but our position would be a whole lot better.
We too have gotten some feedback from people from outside the Country and the sentiment expressed is similar to what you report. There is a real possibility that the incoming President may be able to reestablish the world’s esteem of the USA – and that may make the spread of the Gospel a little easier. I am very sadden that some many Christians have become so narrow-minded that they miss the Glory and comfort of a sovereign God.
Also note if you did not see the debate held by Rick Warren from his mega-church, Obama gave a clear testimony of his faith.
On a personal note, we have experienced the worst year in our nine years in business, but it has given us the opportunity to really know who our provider is.
Your brother
Marc says
My brother,
What a great surprise to hear from you my friend. I’ve always cherish the times we spent together and have learned so much from you in the years we are able to spend some time ago. Maybe we can have a cup of coffee or sandwich sometime soon and catch up. I also like to hear what you and your wife are doing these days in the local mission field here in Central Florida.
Thanks so much for your insightful comments and your critical thinking in this most desperate hour of our nation’s history. Although I did not see the debate with Obama, any man that claims Christ and yet denies the sanctity and holiness of unborn life seems to clearly have missed the point of what it means to follow in the loving footsteps of Jesus. If a spiritual man of supreme intelligence can’t clearly discern this has God’s will, I really wonder where his heart is at.
Marc
Your brother says
Marc,
A godly paradigm. I will be praying with you for the President and our country. God bless.
Your brother
Marc says
Dear brother —
You are most blessed. One day closer to Home and Him!
Marc
Your brother in Florida says
Marc,
Amen and Amen.
Your brother in Florida
Marc says
And amen!
Your sister says
Amen Marc! This is a keeper and a sender! I am weary of the nationalism in the American church as well. Have you read Jesus For president? If not, you might want to check it out at http://www.jesusforpresident.com Even if you don’t agree with all of it, it is very refreshing.
Walk by Faith,
Your sister
Marc says
Dear sister —
Your pursuit of Jesus is the real refreshment to us here at Walk Worthy!
Marc
Your brother says
Marc,
You’ve had a great many awesome meditations, and this is one of your best. Praise the Lord for you. Thanks for stirring us to godly thoughts, attitudes, and actions.
In the Lord Jesus,
Your brother
Marc says
Thank you dear brother. We had quite a response from this issue thus far. We look forward to seeing you soon and hope it will make a trip to your area sometime in the near future. Let us know if you close at all to us and let’s have a meal.
We love you brother.
Your brother says
Marc my dear brother,
I like most of what you say, but God didn’t elect President Obama we the people did. He might turn out to be the best thing we get or he may not. You seem to forget we have free will and God allows us to make mistakes. Hitler wasn’t elected by God was he? No I am not equating Obama to Hitler, I am just saying that we as people are prone to make mistakes that God does not cover up.
I have heard many saying well “God is on the throne” and I say He was on the throne 35 years ago and about 40 to 50 million aborted babies ago too, but we killed the babies not Him. But all those people freaking out need to just get on their knees and pray for President Obama as they are commanded to.
Much love to you and your ministry.
Your brother
Marc says
My dear brother,
I guess time will tell. Of course Hitler wasn’t “elected” by God, because it’s my understanding that he had full control to appoint himself as dictator. But the Scripture clearly teaches that Hitler and every other evil ruler throughout time was placed by God in His sovereign majestic power, and His predetermined plan. Many of us have a hard time getting their minds around the fact that this is true, because we have misidentified who God is in His being and essence. We see him often a lot like we imperfect human beings. And if we worship that false image of God, it’s self worship, and nothing more than idolatry.
Again thanks for writing.
Marc
Your brother in Australia says
Brother Marc,
Praise GOD!! Well said be encouraged I am sure you will come under fire for this one…but they stoned the prophets too 🙂
Reminds me of an article I read about two denominations fist fighting over relics recently in the ‘Holy’ Land. “by your love for each other will the world know that you are my disciples”…
Oh Lord help us draw close and spend it in the way Jesus showed us….
What if we Americans would put half the effort into intense fasting and prayer for all the Kingdom issues that please the Father as we did with late election shenanigans?
And us Australians…and Poms and….
God Bless, Til Next Time,
Your brother in Australia
Marc says
Brother,
Thanks much for your encouragement. Yes, we might just be stoned someday, but in the meantime, we can write and preach and teach and evangelize and stir each other up to love and good works! What is a Poms? (He told me later it was an Englishman!)
Marc
John says
Thanks for the Blog post. You would think that the president of the United States Was God’s gift to the world. What about other elections in other countries? Does it mean the end of the world when a president or prime minister gets selected in another country? As an immigrant living in the United States, It saddens me to see Christians miss the boat when it comes to politics. The United States is the greatest democracy in the world So it saddens me when I see a little faith in democracy Which I believe is a God-given gift. However, democracy may fail us, The union of the United States may fail us. But Jesus Christ regardless off the political situation will never fail us.
marc says
Thanks brother John for your wise and sad comments on the state of the union here. The kingdom of God has no truck with the world’s political systems…your perspective is unique as you observe our ways in the States. see also http://www.walkworthy.org/2012/04/americas-church-critiqued-by-american-missionary-leader-dear-brethren-8/
brother marc