We The Fickle

My husband and I spent nearly twenty-five years overseas. And we can attest to the fact that the USA is not alone in a teeter-totter love-hate, loyalty-disloyalty relationship with the men and women at the top of political ladders. There is a fickleness in our natures which has no geographical boundaries, and is often characterized by an anemic dose of common sense.

That is why is it so perilous to mix true faith with politics and that is also why it is so necessary. Our beliefs must direct how we vote. And woe to us if it becomes the other way around, for we must not allow politics to sway Biblical principals and personal faith.

Fickle is defined as lack of steadfastness or stability. Someone who is fickle is given to erratic changes and without constancy.

In Deuteronomy, Moses addressed the people in a summary sermon of God’s guidance through their forty-year trek in the wilderness. As he spoke of kings and kingdoms, divisions and wars, those who listened heard a broad panorama of Jewish history.

In all of it, God’s mysterious hand not only dealt with the politics of rulers, He did so with righteousness and with undeniable but often un-understandable purpose.

One such example was Sihon, the king of Heshbon. Sihon had not treated the Israelites kindly, and paid a horrific price for his actions. Yet, in the story, there was something deeper than what the Israelites could see.

God’s hand moved the king’s heart.

But Sihon the king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him, for the Lord your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that he might give him into your hand, as he is this day. (Deuteronomy 2:30 ESV)

Sihon under God’s plan and purpose fell, and ultimately God’s victory was complete. Sihon did not love nor honor God, and his stubborn rejection of God ultimately laid the groundwork for his destruction. In fact, it laid the foundation for sixty other cities to be demolished, along with their kings and rulers.

But it was the fickleness of God’s chosen people in their love, loyalty and obedience to Him which God desired to be made steadfast. He wanted rooted hearts that didn’t waver in loyalty, obedience, or with political persuasions. He weighed their thoughts, loyalties and motives.

Regardless of little “k” kings, He sought men and women with capital “K” King allegiance.

But over and over again, they became “we the fickle.” Political rulers influenced their allegiance to a Sovereign God. When pagan gods infiltrated His people with their practices, it diluted God’s rules, and seeped into their faith. They lost steadfastness in their loyalty to their Sovereign Ruler.

God’s hand rests on the pulse of humanity. He knows what is happening much better than we do. He distinguishes good from evil, truth from falsehood.

He has given His Word to bring wisdom into our perspectives. We are instructed how to react and respond as Christ followers. His Word nurtures minds and hearts and gives us power to steadfastly follow Him and do right so that our outward behavior testifies of inward transformation. Even in the fever pitch of an election year.

  Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. (Romans 12:17-19 ESV)

The Apostle Paul’s admonition mirrors the great King Solomon at a different time and specific moment in Israel’s history and national kingdom. We hear it quoted often at election time.

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV)

These words were spoken during the time of the Old Testament temple dedication, during which God’s chosen people enjoyed a period of peace and prosperity, wise rule and godly leadership.

These principals are ones that should also be in the very DNA of Christ followers now too.

• Humility before God
• Prayer
• Seeking of His will
• Turning from wicked ways

Inward spiritual revival speaks much louder than any outside political shout. 

As important as the question may be of who will be our next president of the United States of America, the answer to a much greater question demonstrates where our trust lies.

Is our love for Jesus fickle or is it steadfast? Do we trust in a Sovereign Ruler?

The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.    (Proverbs 21:1 ESV)