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Isaiah 9

‘Tis the season!

After each candidate debate, the news writers have responded by publishing “fact-checker” reports.

Wild accusations.
Elaborate claims.
Unsubstantiated accusations.
Impossible promises.
Distorted “truths.”

Such are the stock and trade of the political process of democracy.

He took it rather personally, actually. And rightfully so in light of the circumstances. “You have grown old (ouch) and your sons do not walk in your ways…” 1 Samuel 8 Now, neither of their points would have been a surprise to this faithful leader. He had sacrificed personal comforts and freedoms to give his life in serving God’s people. Certainly the physical wear and tear of traveling across the country on donkey-back was getting more and more challenging. Recovery times from each circuit must have grown longer and longer. He was painfully aware that he was growing older! And the reality that his parenting had not been rewarded with “success” must have been an enormous sorrow to the soul of the one who grew up in the failed household of Eli. No, they only pointed out the obvious. But their words still struck a tender spot—“The thing was displeasing (evil) in the sight of Samuel…” Samuel must have felt like a failure after all the years he had given to them. He was placed in a foster home at a very young age. He had the unenviable task of delivering the Lord’s words of indictment to the sitting priest. He was eyewitness to the death of a leader and his rebel sons as well as Eli’s daughter-in-law. He knew firsthand the horrible price of rebellion against the Lord. As a nation uniquely led by God, as a “theocracy” they stood out as amazingly blessed as a people. But the leaders were stirring a revolt and demanding a king like other earthly kings! “The thing was evil…”

Now, God is never threatened by the smallness of man and his plans. Divine purposes stand. Always! “Listen to the voice of the people…they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being King over them.”

But the process of selection and installation of the nation’s first king looked a lot more like a “democracy” than a “theocracy” in action. “Appoint us a king for us to judge us like all the nations…give us a king!” After stern warnings of the consequences of electing their own leader, unanimously declared, “No, there will be a king over us, so that we can be like all the other nations!”

Yet regrettably many well-intentioned “Christians” have become convinced that America is the new Israel and that the “democratic way” is the Biblical way. I have lived through long seasons of church life where the expectation on the pulpit was political persuasion and candidate clarity. Voter registration found its home comfortably at the information center, right next to gospel tracts and Sunday bulletins. If we ever expect to be safe, to be secure, to be “sanctified” as a nation, it would depend on casting our ballots for “the man of God’s choice” which was always the candidate of MY choice! Democracy was our hope, the Electoral College our Savior. The rescue of our nation would be accomplished simply through the political process. “Save us now!” is the cry. “Vote right and live!”

Yet, if we are willing to listen to the voice of those who demanded King Saul, we would avoid the error of his people. Our confidence would not rest upon the skill or strategies of a leader WE could make, but would rest rather on the God who places kings, rulers, congressmen, senators, and yes, even presidents into power. Our trust would be not in our democratic process, blessed as we are, to exercise such freedoms, but would sit squarely upon the faithfulness of the Living Lord.

“Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven, with the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots (fighter jets, drones, weaponry), and some in horses (ground troops and armored stuff); but we will trust in the name of the Lord, our God! Save, O Lord; may the KING answer us in the day we call!” Psalm 20

As my son says: “Sometimes God gives us what we need. Other times He gives us what we deserve!” Time for another “fact-checker” report!

(I saw in this morning’s news that a leading candidate was actually awarded FOUR [4] Pinochio’s!) ‘Tis the season ☹!

Theocracy Trumps Democracy every time!

“They have NOT rejected you…they HAVE rejected ME from being King over them…”

See you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom