Wednesday, December 12, 2012

When God Chooses to Be Burger King: Have it Your Way

"Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah  and said to him, 'Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.'  But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, 'Give us a king to judge us.' And Samuel prayed to the Lord.  And the Lord said to Samuel, 'Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.'" 
~1 Samuel 8:4-7

It's been a little over a month since Obama won the recent election. Even though I do not agree with America's choice, I am at least thankful that I am no longer being bombarded with political ads and recorded phone calls telling me who I should vote for. There's always some form of light at the end of the tunnel, I suppose. But I digress.
I've been quite aware of those who were disheartened and discontent by the result of the election. Some might even be wondering why God even allowed Obama to be re-elected, especially in light of the imploding economy. But asking why never solves anything. Also, we may not agree with the reason why, particularly if we realize that it could be due to national disobedience and God granting the majority their desires, even if he does not agree.
A perfect example of this occurring in biblical history was when God granted Israel a king because they no longer wanted judges presiding over them. Samuel was the last judge and the elders did not approve of his sons as judges because they were crooked and did not follow in the ways of Samuel or the Lord. Samuel was distraught when he went to God with the elders' proposition for a king, but the Lord told Samuel to grant them their king. God was essentially saying, "Have it your way," since he was well aware of the true hearts of his people. The Lord knew that continuing on with judges would not appease Israel, but he also knew that an earthly king was not the answer. Instead of denying them a king, though, he granted their desires in the hopes that Israel would backpedal from their own decision and turn back to God as their presiding king and judge.
I believe the path of America has some similarities. The majority of Americans have turned their backs to God and are choosing to live in ways contrary to His ways. The laws that states are trying to pass that are contrary to the Constitution serve as proof of rebellion and how we contradict ourselves. Where else could abortion be legal, but murdering a pregnant woman is considered a double homicide? Also, how can it be illegal to utilize marijuana in America, but certain states can pass laws to make it legal?
Rather than trying to fix the problem, I believe God allowed Obama to get re-elected in the hopes that America would realize how far she's fallen away. America seems numb to her moral compass, and the people have developed hardness of heart. I believe this is something God has allowed, much like in the time after King Uzziah when the Lord had Isaiah say to the people, "'Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed,'" (Isaiah 6:10).
The only clear solution is for us to be sensitive to what our eyes see, ears hear, and hearts understand and turn to be healed by God. We must answer his call and allow him to be our Shepherd. God might have a Burger King moment, but only to serve the grander purpose of calling His sheep back to Himself. It is our job to heed the call and be zealous for the Lord. 

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