The President should meet a King

Nearly 3,000 years ago, in 970 BC, the son of King Solomon ascended to the throne of his father King David.

Many would argue that Solomon was much better qualified to rule over Israel than Trump is to be President of the United States.

Both Solomon and Trump bring to their constituents a “Golden Age” or super-economy and greater prosperity.

According to the Scriptures, Solomon was the most intelligent person who ever lived and also possibly the most wealthy.

Trump cannot claim either quality, but still, he claims to have demonstrated leadership and delivered success — even while much of his own party and for certain his adverse party fought him every inch of the way.

Swamps never like the threat of being drained!

What about preparation?

The outcry against Trump is that he wasn’t prepared for the Pandemic — even though, as I wrote yesterday, pandemics are very much a recurrent element of world history.

Solomon came to power when things were good and when he had the support of his nation.

His situation was a bit different.

He knew he didn’t have very many hospitals, literally no respirators or pharma industry, extremely few doctors … that he was just TOTALLY UNPREPARED and UNEQUIPPED for any calamity that may befall.

Then there were the people … and history …

Solomon also knew about his people … much the same as Trump knows about Americans.

The people of both lands had a lousy record in obeying God.

Solomon knew the history of the Great Flood.

He knew about Israel’s exiles, plagues, famines and deaths.

Trump know American history equally well.

Solomon’s advantage

Solomon’s advantage — or superiority over Trump — is his strong awareness that God was the true Sovereign over all the kings, presidents or other governance of earth.

Solomon also recognized that historically, during the first covenant God made with man, disobedience would often result in near-term judgment.

This understanding kept Solomon subordinate to the Scriptures and the evidence God had provided for deliverance.

Trump’s advantage

Trump has an even greater source of Scripture; Old and New Testaments.

Unlike Solomon, Trump has the FULL story — “His Story”… the accounts of mankind, his sins and his hope of healing and redemption.

Solomon’s preparation

Solomon built a magnificent Temple for the worship of God.

As was customary, there was a ceremonial practice of “dedication.”

Solomon was smart, religiously fluent in the “best practices” and ceremony.

Solomon’s formal dedication to God

The process of dedication included a “prayer” of dedication.

Solomon knew it was “best practice” compliant to pray to the God of Heaven a no-nonsense prayer of dedication.

Tthe Scriptures record in 2 Chronicles 6 (you really should read and adsorb this chapter) Solomon’s transparent and eloquent prayer.

In 2 Chronicles 7, we read the account of God’s response to all the prayers of Solomon and how He would deal with the people in the future.

Solomon’s knows his people will disobey

Solomon knew the people would transgress God’s law … just as we do in America.

But he knew that regardless of your party affiliation if any, or your religious background and training, if any; Solomon just knew in his heart people were going to disobey God and God would bring dire circumstances to bear upon them … to seek their reconciliation.

Trump knows it too

Trump may in fact have read the Scriptures of 2 Chronicles 7 for himself.

Perhaps his inner circle of religious practitioners have reminded him.

HE KNOWS THE CURE!!!

God’s reply to Solomon — and to us.

Chronicles 7:14~16 reads: (Jehovah God speaking)

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people,

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.

I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.”

REAL prayer, not a transaction

Trump mentioned prayer… but he didn’t mention “seeking God’s face” or “turning from our wicked ways.”

As you can see, God’s promise is conditional but certainly NOT unattainable.

Prayer was an integral element of life in Israel and it was once also in America.

What prayer is — and is not

It is the outpouring of man’s confession that God RULES THE UNIVERSE and has the ABSOLUTE POWER to conquer anything and everything.

It’s not just a quick … Transaction …”oh God save us” — without truly seeking His face, turning from our sins, and learning from the discipline God brings into our lives to bring us back into a right-relationship with Him.

Those of you who know God… know that this Scripture remains true today.

Though our President knows the cure to our plagues… for whatever (unacceptable) reason… HE KEEPS IT SECRET.

The Secret’s Out.

Well, now the secret’s out.

You know.

I know.

That’s enough to start another pandemic of repentance and faith.

And the good news is …

God’s Will concerning man is that:

“God… is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

God’s forgiving ear is always listening for the prayer of forgiveness from the lips of one realizing God has provided deliverance from sin, pestilences, plagues and death.

May each of us apply God’s cure for our times… and stop blaming the President.

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