“Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Proverbs 14:34 (NLT)
Reflecting on the current political landscape, the need for righteousness and integrity in governance can’t be understated. In many ways, the church has struggled to uphold the integrity of its witness. This struggle occurs in a time when the spiritual foundations in western culture have been collapsing. If the foundations of our democracy are destroyed what will the righteous do? Will we continue to choose leaders who prefer their party over the country? Will we choose those who focus on their own political future? Or will we repent and look to a sovereign God who rules over nations.
George Washington recognized the perils the nation would face. Partisanship can become a means for cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men to subvert the power of the people. Such individuals usurp for themselves the reins of government. He cautioned against three interrelated dangers that threatened to destroy the Union: regionalism, partisanship, and foreign entanglements.
In his farewell speech he offered this advice to the citizens of the United States. He warns the American people against the negative impact that opposing political parties will have on the country. During his presidency he worried that future political squabbles would undermine the concept of popular sovereignty in the United States. Washington specifically stated, ”However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men (emphasis mine) will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.1
Apostle Paul warns the Church to be on guard of being carried away by unprincipled men. “You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity (2 Peter 3:17-18).
I am neither Democrat nor Republican. I disagree on various issues put forth by either party. What is happening today is a travesty. The Republican party seems hell bent on destroying this nation for political purposes. Whether you like President Joe Biden or not, his Administration has clearly made strides for the American people. These strides aimed to return the nation to some form of normalcy after the COVID pandemic. The Republican congress has been feverishly attempting to discredit the presidency. They use inquiries, disinformation, and misinformation. They have been willing to go after a U. S. citizen who plays no role in politics. This is an effort to discredit and impeach the President for political reasons.
In light of a possible government shutdown instead of governing more focus has been given to impeaching President Biden. Time is running out and thus far no agreement appears in sight. Should the deadlock continue by the end of the month, the government will shut down. It will bring the operations of the federal agencies to a halt. Keep in mind many people who work for the government will be affected by this.
The Speaker of the House indicated he would not launch an impeachment inquiry into President Biden. He stated it would not be done without putting it up for a vote in Congress. Yet, on Tuesday, he made the decision himself to do so. Even more disconcerting is the former Vice President’s tendency to flip flop on certain issues. He is running for President in the 2024 election. On Monday, former Vice President Mike Pence expressed his opinion on impeachment inquiries. He said they should never be started unilaterally. He praised House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. McCarthy explicitly stated there would be a vote in Congress. If there is to be an impeachment inquiry, the decision must be made there. The decision would be made on the floor of the Congress.2
Later he said Tuesday evening in Waterloo, Iowa, “While I would have preferred that Speaker McCarthy and House Republicans take a vote on initiating an impeachment inquiry, I respect the authority and the right they have. “I defer to their judgment because I believe in the public’s right to know.”3 What ever happened to “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union? Establish Justice? Insure domestic Tranquility? Provide for the common defence? Promote the general Welfare? Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity? We do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” As a U. S. citizen, I would prefer that Congress does its job by establishing justice for all citizens. It should guarantee our domestic tranquility is free from disturbance or turmoil. Congress should guarantee our common defense by making sure the military’s readiness is not hampered. It should form policies that contribute to the growth. These policies should enhance prosperity and ensure the general welfare—healthcare, education, infrastructure, and so forth for all Americans. The blessings of freedom should be secured for everyone, including future generations.
Psalm 11:3 says, “If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?” This is not a time to play tit for tat. Do not flip flop on any issues that affect “we the people.” Our democracy is at stake. This is how justice becomes perverted. “The law is ineffective and ignored. Justice is never upheld. The wicked surround the righteous. Thus, justice becomes perverted (Hab. 1:4). These actions do not represent God’s purpose for establishing government. Romans 13:1 states that “…For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” God is sovereign over nations. Hence, He is personally concerned with the political affairs of the nations. “For the kingdom is the Lord’s And He rules over the nations.” (Ps, 22:28). “It is He who changes the times and the periods; He removes kings and appoints kings; He gives wisdom to wise men, And knowledge to people of understanding ” (Dan. 2:21).
“Before Him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by Him as worthless and less than nothing. To whom, then, will you compare God? What image will you compare Him to?“
Isaiah 40:17-18
In this day and time, we are witnessing the worst of America’s political history. Our country has become more divided by political squabbles. These conflicts undermine our sovereignty as a nation. We say phrases like “God bless America” or “In God we trust“. But do we truly believe this? Or are they just quaint phrases that make us feel good about our nation. If America is truly blessed by God, why is there so much division? Why is there so much poverty, gun violence, and political upheaval? Why do we face racial injustice, homelessness, sorrow, and more?
“It is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich, And He adds no sorrow to it” (Prov. 10:22). Riches from God are without the sorrow of ill-gotten gain.
Thank you for choosing to read this post. I hope and pray it will help you know the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It aims to help you gain an understanding of the sovereignty of God over nations.
Notes: Unless otherwise identified, scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible.
- George Washington’s Mount Vernon. George Washington’s Farewell Address (1796). https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/george-washington-s-farewell-address/Accessed 13 September 2023
- Pence backtracks on impeachment comments after McCarthy’s U-turn on House floor vote. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/mike-pence-backtracks-impeachment-comments-kevin-mccarthy-u-turns-hous-rcna104770. Accessed 13 September 2023
- ibid
A. Francine Green is an ordained minister and the author of Daughter of the King: Possessing Your Spiritual Inheritance .
afrancinegreen.com 