A theological column by Adrienne Greene
Q:
Dear Pastor,
America is in a political mess and we’re almost out of time. Why would God delay justice like this?
A:
Your opinions and feelings are shared by millions, I assure you. Yet we must remember that when God’s gavel hammers the bench in favor of righteousness and truth, the opposition is hammered down with it; some of them innocent and diabolically misled. Justice is tricky business and there are casualties God wants to avoid. When the cup of wickedness is full…when God decides the time is right…he will address our chaos as only he can. Not a minute before and not a minute too late. Our job as Christians is to stay the course on our proverbial knees. Don’t give up and for heaven’s sake, don’t stop trusting God’s ability to demonstrate his perfect Will regarding our government and its leaders. If God’s people are praying, his hand is still moving.
Delay is always strategic on God’s part. He has reasons for his pregnant-pauses we aren’t aware of and cannot comprehend. Let us remember when he told us: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways” (Isaiah 55:8, NASB.) If mankind had been left in charge of biblical decisions, decrees, laws and statutes, they would rarely mimic what the Creator set forth to govern our world. The Ten Commandments would most certainly have addendums and caveats hanging off them like Christmas ornaments. Man’s best efforts pale in comparison to the wisdom of God in all things: “For the Lord gives wisdom: from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice…and He watches over the way of His godly ones” (Proverbs 2:6-8.)
One of the overt reasons we are resting (or suffering) through election-delay is obvious: our elections are problematic, to say the least, and we would never have known to what extent. I’ve pondered the idea that our country may have been governed by unlawfully-elected individuals on countless occasions! Yet even there we are comforted by the Bible: “It is He who changes the times and the periods; He removes kings and appoints kings; He gives wisdom to wise men, and knowledge to people of understanding” (Daniel 2:21.)
We must note that those sacred verses are not suggesting that God chose someone like Hitler as Dictator of Germany, for example. No, evil people secured that seat and helped Hitler keep it. But God used the horror of that regime to example to the world what depths of evil could be achieved if high-ranking officers and governmental systems are left unchecked, unquestioned, permitted and undiscovered. We are experiencing a small measure of that kind of human depravity on display right now.
Why not wait in delight? Let us firmly proclaim: “God is still sitting on His throne.” When a king sits, he governs (Proverbs 20:8.) America is still in God’s hands and we are not without defense. Our weapons of prayer, intercession and partnership (with God) are strategic and mighty: “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm” (Ephesians 6:12, 13, NLT.) Our delight is in the Lord and his ability to deliver his people. He’s done it before and he’ll do it again!
We must continue praying for our elections until leaders are legally sworn-in and the election results are lawfully placed in order. And God, who is poised in defense of his people, will put our country back on track at the perfect time. With liberty and justice for all.
Do you have a question or comment for Pastor Adrienne? Send your inquiries to: info@adriennewgreene.com or write to P.O. Box 214, Harrison, OH 45030. For more information, please visit www.adriennewgreene.com or tune into the “Ask Pastor Adrienne” YouTube channel for sermons and insights.