A Thoughtful Look at God’s Purposes Through Both Righteous and Wicked Rulers
Recently, I came across a tweet from a well-known Christian leader who shared her honest thoughts about supporting President Trump. What caught my attention even more than her statement were the responses pouring in beneath her tweet. Many chimed in with the idea that “God is using Trump to restore righteousness in America.” It’s a fascinating claim. And while it might sound bold or even comforting to some, I think it’s worth slowing down and considering what the Bible actually says about how God works through leaders—both the ones we like and the ones we don’t.
Public Reactions: Is God Using Trump?
Scrolling through the replies, I saw a familiar pattern. Supporters and skeptics debated whether God is behind certain political leaders, with some insisting that God always uses rulers to accomplish His will, especially in restoring nations. There’s a grain of truth here, but perhaps not in the way many expect. The Bible tells us that God is always at work, often in ways that surprise us—and sometimes, He uses leaders who don’t fit our definition of “righteous.”
Biblical Perspective: God Judges His People First
One thing that’s easy to miss in these conversations is that God’s primary concern isn’t always the nation at large, but His own people—the church. The apostle Peter writes that “judgment begins with the household of God” (1 Peter 4:17). In other words, when things get difficult, God often uses those moments to correct, refine, and even expose error within His people first. And this can happen under any ruler, righteous or wicked.
God’s Sovereignty Over All Leaders
The Bible makes it clear: God is in control of who leads. In Daniel 2:21, we read, “He removes kings and sets up kings.” This means that no one comes to power outside of God’s knowledge or purpose. But that doesn’t mean God approves of everything leaders do. Think of it like a parent who lets a child make choices to teach them a lesson—God allows leaders, both good and bad, to fulfill His bigger plan, while still holding them accountable for their actions.
The Purpose of Wicked Rulers
Why would God allow—or even use—wicked leaders? Sometimes, it’s to bring judgment or correction, to expose what’s wrong, or to call His people back to Himself. Other times, it’s to remind us that our hope isn’t in any human leader, but in God alone. The story of the Bible is full of times when God used unexpected rulers to guide history or get the attention of His people.
Biblical Examples to Consider
· Babylon: God used King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon—a foreign, pagan king—to humble Israel, bring judgment, and eventually prepare for their restoration (see Jeremiah 25; Daniel 4).
· Jeroboam II: In the Old Testament, Jeroboam II was not a godly king, yet God used his reign to achieve certain purposes for Israel, even as the nation struggled with idolatry (2 Kings 14).
· Joseph: Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph rose to power in Egypt under Pharaoh. Looking back, Joseph saw that “God meant it for good,” using even the evil actions of others to save many lives (Genesis 50:20).
Leaders Are Accountable
Even though God is sovereign and can use any ruler, that doesn’t excuse evil or injustice. Every leader is still responsible for their choices. The Bible is clear that God “brings down the proud” and holds rulers accountable for how they treat people (see Psalm 2, Proverbs 16:12). God’s sovereignty never means He approves of wrongdoing.
Conclusion: God Works Through All Circumstances
So, is God using Trump—or any leader—for His purposes? Absolutely. But that doesn’t mean He endorses every action or agrees with every decision. God is not the author of evil, but He is always in control, weaving even the messy parts of history into His larger story of redemption. As Christians, our trust isn’t in any one leader, but in a God who works through all circumstances to accomplish His good plan. Let’s keep our eyes on Him, seek to live faithfully, and pray for all those in authority—knowing that God is bigger than any headline.
Minister A Francine Green
February 2026
afrancinegreen.com 