The prophet Samuel was elderly and unable to give the quality of leadership given for so many decades. He appointed Joel and Abijah, his sons, to lead in his place.
Problems quickly began to arise.
These two were not men of God in the footsteps of their father. Open to bribery and corruption, they made a mockery of justice and ruled in favor of those who gave the most financial support.
The people grieved and became weary of the corrupt leadership. The elders of Israel came to Samuel’s home in Ramah and appealed to the old prophet. “You are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now, install for us a king to govern us like all the nations” (1 Sam. 8:5).
Samuel’s heart grieved and cried out to the Lord. He must have reflected upon the prophecy of Moses before him (Deut. 17:14-20).
God’s response must have grieved him even more. “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you.” Those are words you never want to hear from God. “I am letting you have your way.” God assured His faithful servant it was not his failure. “They have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not rule over them” (1 Sam. 8:7).
There was a time when the USA was led by God-fearing men.
No, they were not all born-again believers and some were closer to God than others. This great nation was birthed in covenant with Almighty God.
In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are under-written… Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine our selves together into a civil body politic… Anno Dom. 1620. (Mayflower Compact)
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights reflect that covenant.
The first president of the United States affirmed that covenant. In his inaugural address to both Houses of Congress, April 30, 1789, he declared no people could affirm more than the people of the United States how the mighty hand of God had been involved in their welfare and advancement.
Commander in chief of the Virginia militia and member of the Continental Congress, Patrick Henry declared, “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionist, but by Christians; not on religions but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ … .”
There has arisen a generation of leaders who do not walk in the ways of our Founding Fathers.
Like the sons of the prophet Samuel, they have corrupted justice and sought power and prestige for themselves. Washington has become a cesspool of moral degradation, bribery and intrigue. Elected officials become like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The person elected becomes someone else entirely when they arrive in the Nation’s capital.
The general population is weary of the corruption and crying out, “Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”
The national elections over the last decade have reflected that cry. The Supreme Court in making their judicial decisions look to laws of Europe at times, instead of the United States Constitution. The POTUS has used the power of Executive Action more than any president before him. When the Houses of Congress will not give him the decisions he wants, a new Executive Order is written accomplishing his will over the will of the Senators and Congress. The behavior of king not that of an elected official leading a constitutional republic, is it not? Yet he was overwhelmingly re-elected. “Give us a king,” the people cry.
This cry for a king is reflected even more in the current presidential race. One party has two socialists running for office. The other party was represented by a vociferous belligerent promising reform and two men openly declaring their Christian faith and commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Overwhelmingly, the nation rejected the committed Christians for the belligerent bully and the socialist candidates. It is not so much we have rejected a particular man, as it is, America has rejected God.
This presidential campaign, more than any in recent history, has reflected how far the nation has turned away from God and how backslidden the church in America has become.
The voters, representing the gospel-preaching churches in America, have overwhelming supported the vociferous belligerent and not the candidates who have testimony of being committed followers of Jesus Christ.
Even though he boasts about his infidelity, has multiple marriages, openly uses vulgar language and drops expletives in public speeches, has encouraged violence at political rallies, been caught multiple times in false reports and corrupt practices, he is their choice for president.
How can that be?
He talks tough about the war on terrorism and illegal aliens. He promises to restore financial prosperity to the nation. They look at how he has been a tough business executive and built a multi-billion dollar corporation. The others are nice guys, maybe, but they want the tough guy. “Give us a king,” they are saying.
Once again, America is running from a warning from heaven. America does not have a Republican or a Democrat problem. We have a deep spiritual problem.
This election never was about the Donkey or the Elephant. It is about the spiritual lukewarm church and a general populace that has thrown God out of every public sector.
What will be the consequences?
What must the believer do now?
Scripture is not silent. {eoa}
Dr. F. Dean Hackett has served in full-time Christian ministry since October 1971. He has ministered throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, serving as pastor, conference speaker and mentor. He has planted four churches, assisted in planting 15 others, and currently serves as lead pastor of Living Faith Church in Hermiston, Oregon. Dr. Hackett founded Spirit Life Ministries International in 2001 to facilitate ministries in Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina and to open a training center for workers in those nations. You can find him at F. Dean Hackett – Foundational, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
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