From the Kings of Israel to the Presidents of America

With regret, I admit that my knowledge of the political world was (and still is)limited until this past summer (of 2009) when my dad began exploring a possible race for the United States Senate. For several months now, I have been following the world of politics with great interest – first because of the personal investment my family was making – and now because my eyes have been opened to the importance and necessity that Christians in America get actively involved.

I attended a Bible study at my church this week – Breaking Free by Beth Moore. I have always been a Beth Moore fan and have completed several of her studies. This morning, as I sat and discussed the first week’s lesson, an interesting parallel crossed my mind…

The first week of Breaking Free is a discussion of the reign of the different kings that ruled Judah in Isaiah’s day. It begins with King Uzziah, whose name means “the Lord is my strength”. Uzziah was considered a hero in his time – he faithfully fortified the city and raised up an army to defend it. He had more power than anyone in the Southern Kingdom. The only authority withheld from him was the authority that the priests had to serve in the temple. Uzziah's pride caused him to presume upon himself a forbidden role - that of the priest’s position. Something that had begun as a great work in Uzziah had transferred into an awful judgment as God struck Uzziah with leprosy.

The second king in discussion and son of Uzziah, was Jotham. Jotham learned from his father’s mistakes – by choosing NOT enter the temple. He reigned as a great leader “who grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord his God”…. with one exception. He did not remove “the high places” used for sacrifice and worship of idols. Perhaps his pride wasn’t an obstacle, but his fear of rejection must have been an issue for him. Removing the high places would have upset a whole crowd of people (a corrupt people at that). So a man of God ruled a corrupt nation.

The third king was Ahaz – son of Jotham. Ahaz must have seen that small “opening” of compromise in Jotham’s reign…..he had access to the high places because of Jotham’s decision. He was an evil king – even sacrificing his own sons in the fire. God showed his disfavor to King Ahaz and the nation of Judah by allowing them to be defeated in battle by the Northern Kingdom. The story unfolds further to show that the Northern Kingdom – in their victory – “slaughtered in a rage” and this greatly displeased God.


I love Beth Moore's discussion of our attitude in victory: “Which do we tend to enjoy most: God given victory or our foe’s defeat? Does victory humble us and bring us to our knees in thanksgiving to God, or does victory make us proud and arrogant toward those less victorious?”


I couldn’t help but think of the direction that America is going today. We have placed our Presidents on pedestals. We have put leaders in office that have found pride and fear of rejection to be their driving forces.

We appoint our leaders with the idea that America can save itself.


Now, with the changing tide from liberalism to conservatism, we find ourselves in a predicament. As Christian conservatives in America, will we fight for freedom for America? Or will we fight for freedom in Christ – for America?

“If we are to be leaders of any kind, we have even a greater responsibility to make liberty in Christ a reality in our own personal lives.”*

I have to believe that means being humble with each victory! Let us take this chance and this “lean” back to conservatism as an opportunity to put God on His throne in our own lives – and to be victorious without pride, fear of rejection, rage, lack of mercy, or compromise. (I am speaking to my own faults here). Our forefathers and our Constitution – as honorable as they are – are nothing without attributing everything that brings freedom in America to the only source of freedom. It is He alone who can rule our hearts and give us success in America. He is our victor.


“In all the world there is none but thee, my God, there is none but thee”



* From Beth Moore – Breaking Free 2009

A Case of Too Serious

Did you know BLOG spelled backwards is GOLB? If they would have just called it DLOG instead of BLOG it would have been GOLD spelled backwards.

Sometimes I'm just too darn serious.

How do you amaze Jesus?

Been thinking about blogging lately, just to have an outlet. Homeschooling is awesome, but sometimes I need to get "out of the house".

We've had a few bumps in the road this week - some job stress (who doesn't have this, right?) and sickness, and family members who have lost loved ones. I had a conversation with my mom yesterday about believing God. It was a bad day, and I was having trouble believing in God on somethings. Mom encouraged me to test Him. To ask Him to show me that He is faithful.

This morning as we read our devotionals -

Matthew 8:5-13 (New International Version)

The Faith of the Centurion 5When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6"Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering."
7Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him."
8The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
10When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
13Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.


Talk about faith. That Roman Officer didn't just accept Jesus' offer to come and heal his servant. He went as far as to say"Lord I am not worthy to have you come to my home. Just say the word from here, and my servant will be healed." It goes on to say that when Jesus heard this, he was AMAZED. I'm asking God today to give me that kind of faith - I am so unworthy -but He is - even when I question Him - He is faithful to me. I want to amaze Him.