"But when Sanballat and Tobiah... heard that the repairing... was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. And they all plotted together to come... and to cause confusion... And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night." (Nehemiah 4:7–9 ESV)
As we enter another election season, amidst tremendous strife and chatter, many of my friends and colleagues are discussing who has their support at the ballot box. I have heard concerns that the Republican Party's recent platform has moved in the "wrong direction," as well as the regular complaints about the candidates we have before us.
However, it's wise to nix the chatter, strife, and backbiting and pray:
"Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go away; even strife and dishonor will cease. He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king as his friend." (Proverbs 22:10–11 AMP)
As a mother, a grandmother, and a faith leader in America, I hear these concerns and understand the perspectives they come from.
However, while I do not make formal political endorsements, I can unequivocally say this: I will be voting for Christian values in November, and I believe it is the duty of every faithful American to do the same.
Never Remove This Hat
In the journey of Christian life, we wear many hats along the road. There is the "family" hat, the "let down my hair" hat, the "career" hat, the "fun" hat, the "political" hat, and, for some, the "church" hat. As Christians, we might want to consider that there is one hat that we should never remove. That hat is the "helmet of salvation." Removing our helmet can leave us vulnerable and open to compromise, idolatry, and man-pleasing circumstances.
"So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand." (Nehemiah 4:23 ESV)
Simply put, the alternative of selective Christianity is not an option for me. We must put personal preferences, grievances, and offenses aside.
God Uses Imperfection
With this in mind, while the Republican platform may not be perfect, right now it far surpasses the Democrat Party's platform of radical late-term abortion, gender ideology in our schools, and vicious racial division.
Also, President Trump isn't perfect; nobody is. But just a few weeks ago, we saw God's divine hand in action when He sent His angels to protect my friend from an assassin's bullet, sparing his life by mere millimeters.
I believe that although President Trump is an imperfect man, the Bible is full of stories of God using imperfect people to achieve His greater ends. When I saw the hand of divine providence spare President Trump's life in Butler, Pennsylvania, in that very moment it became clear to me that God has use for him now more than ever. (Screengrab image via Alveda King)
We have already seen the progress that the faith community can make with the right leadership in Washington. President Trump delivered the greatest wins in a generation for American Believers: he appointed the justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, he protected religious liberty at home and abroad, he cut funding for Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers, and he protected our schoolchildren from the monstrous gender ideology that has infiltrated our public schools.
A righteous effort to protect life, at all its stages, is one of the things I noted was sadly unmet in my recent visit to Armenia. Armenia has a long history with Christianity, and a community of resolute Believers who have stood for Christian values for over 2,000 years. But, as Armenian Christians face threats and persecution at home, I also came to realize that a vital part of Armenia's problems lie in their legalization of abortion. In my view, abortion is a "womb genocide," but, as is in America, this horror remains legal and unrestricted in Armenia today.
So today I remind my family of Believers everywhere that when we open our Bibles, we must remember the testimonies of Esther, Daniel, and Joseph—all of whom lived under flawed rulers, but served God nonetheless. I remember David and Solomon, Mary Magdalene and Peter. I think about Paul, who was then known as Saul before his transformation on the road to Damascus. He was an enemy of Christianity and Believers, yet he turned out to be one of God's greatest servants and gave up his very life for the Lord.
Since God used these fallen people as instruments of His glory, can He not use fallen men and women today?
A Shining City on a Hill
Contrary to what some may believe, America is still God's "shining city on a hill." I believe that the Lord loves our country and His people here, and His grace still abounds in our land.
Politics aside, we saw a glimpse of that grace when He spared President Trump's life just a few short weeks ago. God's miracles abound everywhere, every day.
I close by reminding our family of Believers that we are not called to sit on the sidelines or hide the candle of our faith under a bushel. We are called to stand firm in our values, fight for our beliefs, and bring our faith to the public square. Vote with your "God Hat" and your full armor on.
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." (Ephesians 6:17 AMP)
As a member of the one-blood human race of Acts 17:26, this November, I will be praying and fighting for Christian values at the ballot box. I urge everyone to do the same.
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Dr. Alveda C. King
Email:Â ak@alvedaking.com
Websites:Â www.alvedaking.com
|Â www.priestsforlife.org
|Â www.civilrightsfortheunborn.com
Alveda C. King, PhD, serves as Chair of the America First Policy Institute's Center for the American dream. She is the daughter of the late slain civil rights activist Rev. A. D. King and the niece of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as a Christian evangelist, a graduate of Aidan University, and the founder of SPEAK FOR LIFE and ALVEDA KING MINISTRIES (www.alvedaking.com). Dr. King is also an acclaimed author, FOX television host, NEWSMAX blog contributor, twice elected to the Georgia State House, past presidential appointee, recipient of Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, and is a film and music veteran.
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