Why Do the Nations Rage?

The man has been appointed to the office. We respect the office. As the scribes and Pharisees who taught from Moses seat were to be obeyed, as Caesar was to be honored, so too are we to respect, honor and obey the President of the United States. We are to pray for him both as a fellow creature and as the governing authority. I sincerely say, "God bless Barack Obama."

Remember, however, the blessing for the Czar. I shudder to think of the human beings who may never see the light of day because their government did not defend them. My shoulders slump when I think of the hours, the days, the years of sacrifice and striving to build hedges around the unborn which may be undone by the one who should protect them.

All around me the campus has erupted in hair-raising, spine-tingling chanting, and screams of delight.

O-ba-ma! O-ba-ma! O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!........

The antiphon swells to incredible force and the building shakes. Windows everywhere quiver and rattle. I can hear the refrain carrying and spreading across campus. It seems as if the city itself is shouting. The cacaphony persists for ten to fifteen minutes and then subsides as the animated students go their separate ways pursuing homework, bunk or party. Every now and then the laughter, cries and chanting breaks forth again.

I thank God that I was not in Paris for any of the student revolts of bygone days. Merely finding myself surrounded by passionate, vocal students gathering to support a cause terrifies me. I am thankful for the "Christian" nature of this campus - otherwise I might have good reason to be frightened. Young people have an incredible tendency in their naiveness to be swayed and when moved by a common theme resemble an avalanche or a lava floe. Their impetus is irresistible.

But not forever. God thwarts all might of men with a breath. Though we may see throughout this world of sin and death events that seem to be a roadblock set before God's good and gracious will, God's will will not be deterred.

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and rulers gather together against the Lord and against His Anointed One.
"Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters."
The One enthroned in heaven laughs, the Lord scoffs at them.
Then He rebukes them in His anger, and terrifies them in His wrath,
saying, "I have installed my king on Zion my holy hill."
I will proclaim the decree of the Lord: He said to me, "You are my Son. Today I have begotten you. Ask of me and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery."

Therefore you kings, be wise; be warned you rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son lest He be angry and you be destroyed in your way,
For His wrath can flair up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.

We Christians are those who take refuge in Him for He has taken us into His refuge and covered us with His feathers. No matter what the coming years may bring from fire, sword, lightning, tempest, sedition, rebellion, sin, error, evil, it shall not harm God's children. It may touch our bodies and lives and those we love, but it shall not wrench us from the hand of God who cares for us as for Himself. What scars we have and shall receive emotionally and physically Christ has taken upon Himself and born for us.

I am not by this post indicating that President Obama is a devil or is horrible person (though as a sinners all are horrible people apart from Christ's Gospel) neither do I consider Senator McCain a savior or model of perfection by any stretch of imagination. But I do take comfort that God governs the affairs of men. I rejoice that as the Proverb writer somewhere declares, the hearts of kings are in the hands of God and He directs them as a watercourse whither He chooses.

May God have mercy on our land and strengthen and protect our President in every good work. Where he sets his hand against the commands of God, may our Lord restrain him, turn him to righteousness, and perfect his ways. May the grace of God enable him to govern with competence and faithful fatherhood the people of this country. And may God bestow on us his grace to esteem and support the leader placed into office as he carries out that office according to God's will.