The fifth blog was written before the pandemic, though I recently made a few changes, and discusses the political division in our country; and how our problems of division would be resolved, if we focus our attention on whom our ultimate leader is. This blog asks you, the reader, to view the importance of turning our focus on G-d, rather than man. This is something important to look at, especially as life in our country is growing more and more unstable.
I was talking to a friend (before the pandemic) about the current state of politics in America; she mentioned to me a conflict she had with a client regarding their different points of view on politicians; her client favored one political candidate, and she favored the other. As her and I were talking, I noticed I wanted to interrupt her, to insist she hear my point of view. I wanted to let her know I did not agree with her and why. The discussion was not going anywhere, something in me was getting in the way of listening to her point of view. I stopped the conversation and asked a question for her and I to think about, where is G-d in this conversation? I had realized pride was getting in the way of my listening to her; and that I needed to see her and her viewpoints from the perspective of G-d.
This conversation was a blessing for me and I thank my friend for her contribution in the discussion. I realized afterwards the problem of the political division in our country could be rectified if we change our focus from politicians to G-d. This blog is not in favor of the right, nor is it in favor of the left. However, it is in favor of G-d,.
Why do I say the problem of political division in our country is about our lack of focus on G-d? I believe, if we are not focused on G-d, then we will look to people as idols. It is human nature to want to make politicians idols. As people, we rely on the actions of our politicians to give us a sense of security and naturally want to be able to trust them. It is good, of course to have our president make decisions that are best for our families and our country, however, we need to be dependent on G-d, for He can handle those areas, like the pandemic, humans cannot control. The Old Testament, written in the wisdom of G-d, says “it is better to take refuge in the L-rd than to trust in man” (Psalms 118:8 New American Standard Bible). Of course if one does not believe in G-d, they would be terrified to have a politician in office who appears to be unstable. Even those of us who believe in G-d, can forget He is the ultimate authority; and the One in control. And at times when we feel afraid, we may find we too are looking to a politician to give our lives a sense of control. Perhaps we are trying to gain control in an uncertain world, when we are arguing with our friends about politics and dismissing friendships, based on their beliefs. This division, in my opinion, means we are not really seeing the real problem; our lack of faith in G-d.
The truth is the L-rd, if we believe in Him, is the ultimate politician. The Old Testament says “The L-rd is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my G-d, my rock, in whom I take refuge” (Psalm 18:1 NASB). We are not meant to make men our idols; we are meant to only have G-d as our leader. You may think, and rightly so, we have in our country, a responsibility to make sure the office of presidency is held by the best candidate, one who has admirable qualifications. This is our responsibility, and in our democracy we have the right to vote for whom we think is the best person. However, once they get in office; it is for our benefit if we leave the control of the country, into the hands of G-d; and to trust in Him as our leader. Furthermore, when we look to a person as the answer; it is not productive and will only cause fear in ourselves because humans are frail, and they will fail us.
Another truth is, which is hard for us to admit, we are broken without G-d. We being human, tend to blame others for our own weaknesses. I believe until we become aware of our own shortcomings, we will keep electing political leader’s that will reflect our own weaknesses. In other words, the problem, if we look at the bigger picture, is in us and not in our presidential candidates. Why do I say that? Because we live in a culture that prioritizes freedom and independence; and our culture often overlooks Biblical values. The fact we, as a country, are so divided in our political views, may mean we are putting the leader of our country before G-d. My hope for America is that we wake up and see this truth. When we put our focus on man, we may be inviting situations into our country that are not of G-d. When we focus on G-d, then we will be more likely to bring goodness and things of a Spiritual nature into our country.
In the Old Testament, G-d uses the prophet Samuel to warn the Israelites of what happens when they put their faith in a leader, that is not G-d. In the Old Testament, the Israelites told Samuel the prophet they wanted “a king to judge us like all the nations” (1Samuel 8:5 Complete Jewish Bible). G-d says to Samuel in response, “they are rejecting Me; they do not want me to be king over them” (1Samuel 8:6 CJB). Samuel said to the Israelites of their request, “you will cry out on account of your king, whom you yourselves chose. But when that happens, G-d will not answer you” (1Samuel 8:18 CJB). The Israelites did not listen to Samuel and insisted on having a king. The Israelites put their focus on man and not on G-d, teaching us a lesson on what can happen when we make men idols (please see blog four on learning from the experiences of the Israelites). The new king was Saul, he started out as obedient to the L-rd but ultimately King Saul did not obey G-d.
G-d had Samuel show the Israelites the fear they should have had of G-d by causing rain during harvest time. Samuel said to the Israelites “Now is wheat harvest time. I am going to call on the L-rd to send thunder and rain. Then you will understand and see how wicked from the L-rd’s viewpoint is the thing you have done by asking for a king” (1Samuel: 12:17). Therefore, we can learn from Biblical times that if we are worshiping man rather than G-d; we are rejecting G-d and we may get a leader who is not in line with the values of G-d, and there may be consequences for us on our lack of focus on G-d.
In summary, the point of this blog is to get people to focus on G-d as the answer to the insecurity we feel in today’s uncertain world and political climate; and to solve the problem by looking at ourselves and our relationship to G-d. We are all helpless without G-d because we are of the flesh. Until we honor G-d and obey His commandments; it is not helpful to argue about who is the best political candidate. I will further add that political arguments and focusing on political leaders, rather than G-d, is a distraction by the “enemy” and is a temptation that has the purpose of keeping our eyes off of G-d. We should be using our energies instead to pray for our country and it’s leaders; and to pray for obedience to G-d, and His precepts.