Tomorrow is the inauguration of President Donald Trump for the second of his non-consecutive terms in office. Every American knows that this event is the culmination of the one of the most divisive elections in the history of the United States. I certainly don’t need to remind anyone that there is huge animosity on a number of fronts about the outcome of the election as well as the anticipated consequences of weathering another four years of President Trump in the White House. But Trump, as his predecessors have done, will have his hand on the Bible as he takes the oath of office.
People are angry about the events of the famous January 6th riots at the Capitol, the law suits that Trump has endured and the fact that he will enter the White House as the only convicted felon in the history of the country. And let’s face it – adding Canada as the 51st State, taking back the Panama Canal, purchasing Greenland and renaming the Gulf of America (instead of the Gulf of Mexico) sound, at the outset, like outlandish ideas.
Nobody can accuse Donald J. Trump as being “vanilla.” He is passionate about this country, is probably the most authentic President we have had since Ronald Reagan and isn’t afraid to state his stance on almost subject you can think of. He is a strong proponent of America first and wants all nations in the NATO alliance to pay their fair share of the financial burden for belonging to that institution.
He is not afraid to use force to stop terrorism around the world and, without question, President Trump wants America to be “great again.” Unlike many of his predecessors, Trump seems to march to a different drummer and appeals to those folks who have been looking for an advocate to represent them in Washington. His base is filled with conservative Christians who have overwhelmingly rejected the politics of President Biden, Vice-President Harris and those who promote the dissolution of police forces, the free rein of looters in our country and, more or less, open borders with our neighbors to the south. Trump is a strong proponent of border security, the end of the drug cartels, finishing the wall separating the U.S. from Mexico and holding China at arm’s length.
There can be no doubt that most of his agenda items for the next four years are highly debated and invoke more than passing disapproval from his opposition. In fact, the interviews earlier this week during Senate confirmation hearings for Cabinet nominees was filled with vitriol and was, at times, difficult to watch.
The basic tenets of dignity and respect have given way to anger, hostility and finger pointing – on both sides of the aisle. And even within the Democratic Party, there is divisiveness about whether President Biden should have dropped out, did VP Harris have enough time to make a calculated run for the Presidency and what happens now that the Republicans have clear control of the government.
The one thing that gives me hope for the future is the fact that I have heard several interviews with Democrats who have taken the lead in adopting a “wait and see” approach to the next four years. They admitted that during the first Trump term, they went in with a negative attitude and they have consciously decided to enter the next four years with more reserve and an attitude of reconciliation. Of course, I pray that this is the case with Congress in general. Harold Ford, Jr., a former Democratic representative, who also periodically appears on “The Five” on the Fox News channel, has been rather eloquent in his plea for unity and his own decision to embrace a spirit of cooperation with the new administration. I admire his willingness to speak out on the need for the political parties to work together for the good of the country.
Most people on both sides of the aisle don’t realize that government is a God mandated construct. Even Moses got to the point where he couldn’t handle all the disagreements and his father in-law, Jethro, suggested the divinely inspired idea of having judges handle the easier cases, leaving Moses to handle the most difficult disputes. God was also against the idea of Israel having a king, but God yielded to the desires of His people and the rest, as they say, is history.
Paul is quick to remind us, in his letter to the Romans, that God established governments. It is clear that we are to obey, and pray for, those who lead us. Regardless of which side of the aisle you support, the president is the leader of the entire country – that means every citizen, not just those who choose to profess one person or another as “their” president. This has been the case since the country was founded hundreds of years ago. As our pledge clearly states, we are “one nation under God”- the ultimate authority.
Paul admonishes all of us, in Romans 13:1-2,5-7, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves….Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”
My encouragement is that God, the creator of governments, is still on the throne and our earthly leaders are responsible to Him. Woe to those who don’t follow the Lord. My prayer is that we will pray for all our leaders, regardless of party, and that the country can be healed from this terrible divisiveness that we all have suffered through. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace… And President Trump, please lead us with an appropriate fear of the Lord…