NEWS & THOUGHTS ARCHIVE

The State of the Nation

Evangelist Bob Sanders
February 1, 2008

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When considering the many things that should be the object of our prayers; the state of our great nation should take a preeminent place. Our nation is at a pivotal point in its history! In a matter of months, we will choose the individual that will assume the role of commander and chief of the United States of America. While this choice has always been one of importance, this one could possibly determine the fate of this great nation. The choice of leadership has always been critical to the health and prosperity of those given the privilege of choosing. In Acts 6, the church is given the privilege of choosing leadership; “look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business” (Acts 6:3). Their choice will prove to be a blessing or a scourge to them. An example of an unwise choice is found in I Samuel 8. Having made the wrong choice in desiring an earthly king, Israel found their choice a blight instead of a blessing. In describing the conduct of the king and what impact his rule would have on the people; God uses this little phrase eight times, “he will take.” In I Samuel 8, God tells the people that the king of their choosing “will take” their sons (vs.11), their daughters (vs.13), their fields (vs.14), a tenth of your seed (vs.15), your servants and animals (vs.16), and a tenth of your sheep (vs.17). God concludes with this shocking prediction, “and ye shall be his servants” (I Samuel 8:17). 

The thing that sets our great notion apart from almost every other nation is the purpose of government. The government is to exist to serve the people. It is to be by the people and for the people! Our choice in leadership could yield the same results that Israel experienced when they chose an earthly king over the heavenly King. We could become its servant rather than government serving us! 

It is important to consider principles, and not personalities. When the people were told to chose in Acts 6, guidance was given to insure the proper selection; “men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom” (vs.3). Trouble always arises when selection is based on popularity rather than principle. This generated problems in the church at Corinth. “For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. I Corinthians 1:11-12 

In consideration of principles and not popularity, there are three candidates contending for office. The first candidate is known as race. The Word of God records for us numerous individuals that had a problem when considering this candidate. An Old Testament figure by the name of Jonah had a problem with race. Commissioned by God to go to Nineveh, his hatred for that linage of people forced him to board a ship headed in the opposite direction. While it is a single act, it reveals two actions, embracing and excluding. Jonah would only embrace a chosen few. Jonah saw no other options outside those of his nation. By limiting his choices, Jonah was excluding all others. Jonah’s mentality is the mindset of the masses; I have to select this candidate because they are of a certain race. It does not matter if you love your race so much or you hate the others so much; either view could prove devastating to you or the nation as a whole. Simon Peter had a problem with the level of people. Peter classified the Gentiles as dogs. He viewed them from the lofty perch of self-righteousness. The Gentile was perceived as common or unclean (see Acts 10:14-15). Many view certain people as socially unfit for the highest office of the land. 

The second candidate is known as riches. There are three accounts of choice where riches were selected above the other candidates. In Luke 12:16-21, the candidate of riches was chosen for protection. “And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” Luke 12:18-19 This man felt sure that riches could protect him from all that would enter his life to do him harm. His choice proved to be a false security! In Matthew 19:16-24, a young man chose riches because of prosperity. He could not bear the thought of being without the wealth of this world and all that it could give him. In II Timothy 4:10, Demas chose riches because of pleasure. He was deceived by the idea that money can buy happiness. Many will go the polls and vote their pocketbooks rather than principles! 

The final candidate is known as religion. In Numbers 13-14, Joshua and Caleb chose the candidate of religion over popular opinion and conformity to the status quo. They were totally aware of the fact that if their candidate won, it would mean combat over comfort. It would mean future gratification at the expense of present temporal gratification. It would mean thinking of their posterity over their pleasures. The candidate of religion was not a choice of the senses, but the spirit. In Mark 15, the nation of Israel rejected a candidate because of religion. Answering for the people, “The chief priest answered, We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15). The results of their choice were that they ultimately lost their nation and became the slaves of others. 

Very soon we will go to the polls to select a candidate. Will it be race, riches, or religion? It is easy to become distracted by personalities and personal interest. If an individual with principles and integrity is to occupy the highest office of the land, there is one thing that must be acknowledged; Principle is not determined by race or riches, but it is determined by religion! 

Please pray for our country. The destiny of this great land could be determined this fall.

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