Who Does Washington Serve?

 There comes a time when a man has to speak what is on his heart. As a minister of the Gospel, I understand that my first allegiance is to the Kingdom of God and not to any political party, politician, or earthly government. Republicans will disappoint you. Democrats will disappoint you. Kings, presidents, members of Congress, and senators will all eventually disappoint you. Only the Lord remains faithful.

Yet, there are times when a citizen must ask hard questions.

I look at what is happening in our nation today, and I confess that I am deeply concerned and increasingly frustrated with the direction of the present administration.

When President Trump was elected, many Americans believed he would place the interests of the American people first. They believed he would secure our borders, strengthen our economy, reduce foreign entanglements, and focus on the needs of the citizens who elected him.

Instead, it appears that America is becoming increasingly involved in conflicts halfway around the world while many of our own people struggle to pay their bills, buy groceries, and fill their gas tanks.

I hear discussions about Iran.

I hear discussions about Gaza.

I hear discussions about Lebanon.

I hear discussions about military cooperation and alliances that seem to grow deeper every day.

What I do not hear enough about are the families here at home who are working harder than ever to stay afloat.

The average American is not asking for much. They want safe communities. They want affordable food. They want affordable energy. They want a government that protects their freedoms and spends their tax dollars wisely.

Instead, many feel as though their concerns have been pushed to the back of the line.

The Bible warns us about leaders who forget the people they were called to serve.

"Where there is no vision, the people perish..." (Proverbs 29:18 KJV)

Government exists to serve the people, not the other way around.

What troubles me even more is the growing discussion of deeper military integration with foreign governments while serious allegations continue to emerge concerning military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. Whether one supports Israel or opposes Israel is not the issue. The issue is accountability.

As Christians, we cannot excuse wrongdoing simply because an ally commits it.

We cannot condemn violence when committed by one nation and remain silent when committed by another.

The Lord is not impressed by our political loyalties.

The Lord is concerned with justice.

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Micah 6:8 KJV)

If war crimes have been committed, they should be investigated.

If innocent people have suffered, their suffering should not be ignored.

If our nation becomes increasingly tied to another military's actions, then Americans have every right to ask how that relationship will affect our future and our moral responsibility.

These are not hateful questions.

They are necessary questions.

Throughout my years of ministry, I have watched politicians from both parties promise change. They promised honesty. They promised accountability. They promised to represent the people.

Yet too often, once elected, they become more concerned with power, influence, foreign interests, lobbyists, and political survival than with the citizens who entrusted them with office.

The prophet Jeremiah warned:

"Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm..." (Jeremiah 17:5 KJV)

That verse is not telling us to withdraw from public life. It reminds us that our hope cannot rest in politicians.

My hope is not in Washington.

My hope is not in Congress.

My hope is not in the White House.

My hope is not in the Republican Party or the Democratic Party.

My hope is in Jesus Christ.

As I grow older, I become more convinced that the problems facing our nation are not primarily political. They are spiritual.

A nation that forgets God will eventually lose its way.

A government that values power more than righteousness will eventually stumble.

People who seek security without seeking God will eventually discover that true peace cannot be found in military strength, economic prosperity, or political victories.

The answer to America's problems is not found in another election cycle.

The answer is repentance.

The answer is a return to truth.

The answer is a return to justice.

The answer is a return to the fear of God.

I pray for President Trump.

I pray for Congress.

I pray for our military.

I pray for the people of Israel.

I pray for the people of Gaza.

I pray for the people of Lebanon.

I pray for the people of Iran.

And I pray for the American people, who often find themselves carrying the burden of decisions made far above their heads.

May God give us leaders who seek wisdom more than power.

May God give us citizens who seek truth more than party loyalty.

And may God help His people to stand firm in these uncertain days, remembering that kingdoms rise and fall, presidents come and go, but Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Amen.