When we disagree with the president...

     On November 4, 2008, Senator Barack Obama was elected to become the next president of the US.  Millions of Americans were ecstatic.  Millions more were saddened and disappointed.  In the four years since that time, we have watched many things take place.  Chances are that if we liked the choice at the time for philosophical reasons; it has been confirmed.  Similarly; if we voted “no” it’s a pretty good chance that our decision has been confirmed in our minds.
     I personally disagree at a fundamental level with President Obama’s stand on some major moral issues.  Also; I am convinced that the morality of a nation (including its attitude toward human life, sexuality, marriage, and toward wealth) directly affects many other things (like the economy).  Whenever we ignore fundamental principles of righteous living, we will pay for it, one way or another.
     The question I want to address regards our posture and attitude toward our president and those with whom we disagree.  I have become increasingly frustrated, to hear sarcastic and cutting comments made about those with whom we disagree at a fundamental level.  Is this right?  Is it acceptable to use derogatory terms to apply to our leaders?  I would remind you of one important principle of Scripture (Daniel 2:20-21): God is in charge.  He is the one who established Barack Obama as our President.

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever; to whom belong wisdom and might.  He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings...” (ESV)

     God didn’t stay up late watching the election results in 2008 and he won’t do so this fall either.  He wasn’t wringing His hands, wondering what this nation had gotten itself into.  This is part of His plan. 
      Rather than blasting those who lead us and using the kind of hurtful, critical words that seem to flow more and more freely from the lips of even those who claim the name of Christ, what is our responsibility?  What should our attitude be toward the leader(s) of our nation?  I offer the following 4 challenges:
     We should be gentle and patient (Proverbs 25:14) seeking to turn the heart of our leaders toward righteousness and holiness.
     We should submit to them and obey them (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-15).  Only when our leaders require us to sin against God and disobey Him, do we have the responsibility to follow a different course of action than they have laid out for us.  Even then; we must be prepared to accept the consequences of our disobedience to the authorities that God has put in place.
     We should honor those whom God has placed over us (1 Samuel 24:1-10).  Our desire should not be for their demise, but for their salvation or for the change of their heart.  We never demonstrate an attitude of honor when we use terms like “idiot,” “fool,” or anything else that indicates our personal disgust for them. 
     We should pray for them (1 Timothy 2:1-2). The challenge here is not to pray against them, but for them.  How can we pray?  Here are several suggestions directly rooted in Scripture:

1. Pray that they will walk in the ways of God (1 Kings 2:2-3)
2. Pray that they will rule in righteousness and the fear of the Lord (2 Samuel 23:1-4)
3. Pray that they will serve the Lord (Psalm 2:10-12)
4. Pray that they will speak and lead with honesty and integrity (Proverbs 17:7)

     What if they continue with courses of action that violate God’s clear direction?  My responsibility remains the same.  I am to honor God with my life and seek to advance His will and His testimony in the nation where I live.  My true citizenship is in Heaven; God has given me the temporary opportunity to live in a nation with a rich and glorious heritage.  I am still proud to be an American.  I am still thankful to live here.  I will seek to renew my enthusiasm to use my freedoms as a citizen of the USA to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ.