America’s greatness?
Watching President trumps State of the Union address earlier this week one could not be but impressed with the changes his administration has made within America and for the people of America. There is no doubt as to his sincere care and concern for the safety of all Americans when insisting on building the iron fenced security wall across the border with Mexico. Quite frankly I found myself wishing Australia had a strong, decisive and even demanding leader like him. Of course no man is perfect and President Trump, like all of us will have to give an account on judgement day to Him before whom all of us must stand to answer for what we have said and done in this life or failed to say and do. While he did not say much about Israel other than the US Embassy was moved to Jerusalem he most certainly said a lot about fighting anti-Semitism. He also spoke about America’s involvement in the Middle East and what they were achieving there.
God’s Glory?
Watching President Trump speak overall was a stirring speech to a degree and one to make all American’s proud of a President working for their own welfare and security and a willingness to buck the system and the status quo of American politics. I was somewhat impressed with his speech. Having said this I also noticed that it seemed he was giving most of the credit to himself inadvertently and to his administration for their success. He also spoke about how great America is and how powerful they are militarily and economically and extolled the virtues of America on the global international scene. To be honest in all of this speech making he did not seem to be giving God the glory but taking it to himself while extolling the ‘greatness’ of Amerca.
Who gets the glory?
No one doubts his ability to wheel and to deal both in business and politics and there is no doubt as to his prowess in these fields but I wondered what would happen if America was hit by missiles from an unexpected source or there were widespread terrorist acts across America? Possibly adverse weather conditions may well increase bringing about the LORDs judgement on a nation that by enlarge has turned its back on God and the authority of his Word, the Bible. According to a report on NBC News online 70 million Americans face a severe weather threat across Central U.S. Millions from Texas to Nebraska are bracing for tornadoes, large hail, and strong winds. Then you have the Polar Vortex plunging a vast swath of the U.S. into a deep freeze with a harsh winter blast from the north bringing dangerous low temperatures to much of the eastern two-thirds of the country.It would seem extrene adverse weather patterns are spreading across America. God Himself will not let any man or nation for that matter take away the glory and the praise He rightfully deserves. As God himself has said; “I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not give My glory to another or My praise to idols.” (Isaiah 42:8)
Idolatry
Now idols come in many forms and one cannot help but think that President Trump in his success may well be making an idol of America itself? Remember King Nebuchadnezzar walked on the roof of his palace and looked over the whole expanse of his empire and congratulated himself on his power, his wealth, his military might and prosperity but within the same hour God removed him from power until he came to the place where He recognised that his power and wealth came directly from the LORD and not from himself or from his abilities as a king.
As it is written in the Word of God; “One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honour…Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted…He has brought down the mighty from their thrones… One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honour…Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted…He has brought down the mighty from their thrones…“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Now the Americans are well known for their generosity and humanity work and especially for their support of evangelism and missions globally and this is most probably why the tree has not yet fallen even though the axe is already laid at the root. God is no respecter of persons. Whether it is America or any nation or even Israel for that matter the principle is the same. “Righteousness exults a nation but sin is a reproach to any peoples.”
As Paul writes…“God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honour and immortality, He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honour and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favouritism.” (Romans 2:6-11)
As I watched President Trump’s address and felt some exhilaration at his accomplishments for that nation I could not get away from the impression that God might yet humble him and even America for that matter. God’s words to Nebuchadnezzar still ring true today for all who would seek to steal God’s glory and take it to themselves.
As Daniel writes; “Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone He wishes.” (Daniel 4:29-32)
Hopefully God will be able to use Vice President Pence to ‘kick the rudder hard’ to keep the Trump administration on course with its captain at the wheel, so that it will not be shipwrecked on the rocks of pride and aggrandizement. With these things in mind hopefully President Trump can still hear what the LORD has said; “ I will not give My glory to another.”
Click on this link: https://blowthetrumpet.com.au/will-you-let-me-in/