Love him or hate him, Donald J. Trump is now the 47th president of the United States.
Both the messiness and beauty of the American experiment was on full display in what is undeniably one of the most historic elections in our nation’s history. Not since 1892, when Grover Cleveland forged a political comeback after losing his reelection bid four years earlier, have we witnessed such an unlikely return to the White House. Trump is now just the second president to win two non-consecutive terms.
Add the backdrop of the July assassination attempt on then candidate Trump’s life and it is difficult not to use words like “destiny” to describe this election cycle. Had the Republican nominee not turned his head at precisely the correct moment, the assassin’s murderous intent would have been realized. Had the position of the bullet been just one inch to the right, the course of American history would have changed forever in a Butler, Pennsylvania. One cannot come closer to death and emerge unscathed.
Beyond politics
President Trump seemed to be keenly aware of the divine providence over His return to Washington, D.C. during his inaugural speech. “Those who wish to stop our cause,” he said, “have tried to take my freedom and indeed to take my life. Just a few months ago, in a beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassin’s bullet ripped through my ear. But I felt then, and believe even more so now, that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again.”
Regardless of one’s political views, appreciating the undeniable momentum and comeback of our new president is not difficult. In light of his unlikely rise back to power, I am reminded of two important principles of Scripture.
God has sovereignly chosen President Trump to lead our nation. Though some might recoil over such a thought, acknowledging that God raises up those in authority is not intended to be a blanket endorsement of any leader, nor is it overtly political. The same premise applied to Joe Biden four years ago. The Lord alone establishes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings (Dan. 2:21). The Most High God rules over the earthly realm and He gives it to whomever He wishes (Dan. 4:32).
After what is admittedly the most heated political contest of my lifetime, we would all do well to remember that the Lord is strategic with His leadership over the nations, including ours, and He establishes all governmental authority as one means of accomplishing His purposes (Rom. 13:1). In no way do I presume to know God’s full intentions for this president, but I am confident that there is neither relief nor panic in heaven over who resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Sometimes God raises up godly politicians to be a conduit of His blessings on a nation. Or, He may choose a wicked ruler as a means of judgment on a people. Our tendency to believe that God wins when the right person is victorious or that He loses when an unbeliever assumes office is patently false. The Bible doesn’t suggest that God tolerates wicked leadership despite His desires otherwise, but that He ordains it according to His greater plan.
Thus, a wicked Pharaoh became a testimony of God’s glory throughout the earth (Rom. 9:7). God appointed the first king over Israel as an act of judgment against them (1 Sam. 10:1; 10:18). Thankfully, the same God later chose David (1 Sam. 16:12) to establish the throne of the Messiah and to bless the nations forever. But in both instances, the Lord can, and did, use good and evil leaders to achieve His goals for history. The same God is just as active and decisive today.
Commitment to prayer
Christians of all political views should commit to pray for President Trump. The privilege of choosing our commander-in-chief brings with it the unfortunate feeling of winning and losing on each side of the political divide. These disagreements notwithstanding, believers of all persuasions must forfeit neither our eternal perspective nor our earthly responsibilities. Whether you view this president with enthusiasm or contempt, God is calling every believer to pray for him.
Think I’m overstating it? The Apostle Paul did not mince words, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2-1-4).”
Moving from the general to the specific, Paul directs us to pray for all people, but especially for those in authority like kings, or in our case, presidents. And what is the ultimate aim of these prayers? Not only the welfare of our leaders, but also our ability to lead quiet and peaceful lives. Rooting against any president is equal to rooting against ourselves.
We should also realize God’s desire for all people to experience salvation and the knowledge of the truth which accompanies it, including our president. We should pray with earnest that Christ works within Donald Trump even as He works through his administration. Ask the Lord to give him discernment, which only comes by worshipping the Lord with reverence (Ps. 2:10-11).
