Wasson column 7-20-24: God is in control

We were horrified by the recent assassination attempt on President Trump. Sadly, a good man lost his life, and others were injured. While extremists are openly lamenting the missed shot that failed to kill a president, many Christians believe that God spared President Trump for a reason.

I have written multiple times about how we should pray for our leaders. The American people have grown skeptical and mistrustful of our governmental system. Is it a conspiracy theory to suggest that someone is acting behind the scenes? Have you been paying attention to this recent assassination attempt? If so, you are probably still asking, “How could this happen?”

The Bible reads, “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who understand.” Daniel 2:21. We do not always understand how things work, but believing God is sovereign and has control over the universe is comforting.

Psalms 67:4 illustrates God’s authority. “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” This is why we pray for everyone in authority. We want God to guide them into wise decisions. Even a wicked person can be changed by God’s grace.

Thankfully, the United States has no king who rules over us. God gave George Washington and the Founding Fathers wisdom. While the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are not Scripture, they contain timeless wisdom. Let us pray that activists do not squander our freedoms and rights.

In the Old Testament, we see that Israel is a nation favored by God. However, it had many conflicts. The twelve tribes comprised one country, later divided into the northern and southern kingdoms. We read that some kings were wicked, and some were righteous.

Even though they went through many trials and were even taken captive by other nations, God has been faithful. His promise to Abraham is, “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Christians believe this promise is fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ, who is a descendant of Abraham and is from the lineage of King David. We have been given the Great Commission to spread the gospel to the world. Hopefully, America will remain a Christian nation, and many other countries will also become Christian nations. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” Psalm 33:12a.

We must be careful not to dehumanize our presidents. Harsh political rhetoric claiming that the world will end if this one man is elected puts that person in harm’s way. Political hatred is divisive to friend groups, families, businesses and churches. At the same time, we must be free to speak our convictions and vote for our values.

Romans 13:1-2 instructs us in this way, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”

We are a nation of patriots. The United States of America would not exist if ordinary people did not stand up to tyranny. Now, we have a system that allows us to elect our representatives. If we cannot ensure fair elections, and if non-citizens vote, we will lose our nation. We fight for our country on our knees and at the ballot box. We do not commit acts of terrorism or vandalism.

As Christians, we know our kingdom is not of this world and will never end. Our King was killed once but arose from the grave to offer eternal life in heaven for everyone who trusts in him.

May we be comforted knowing “God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.” Psalm 47:8.

Shawn Wasson, D.Min., is the pastor of Bethany Baptist Church.