I will pray for the success of the Trump administration, even though I did not vote for Mr. Trump. I pray that God will grant him wisdom to govern justly and the discipline to bridle his tongue. Christians are encouraged to “honor the king,” and to “give to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar.” Therefore, disciples of Jesus Christ should seek to respect everyone in authority, whether Democrat or Republican.
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:1-5).
With that said, we should remember that no leader is beyond godly criticism. I am disheartened by Christians who have exalted Mr. Trump as a political messiah – the anointed president who will save the USA. There is only one mediator and only one anointed One – Jesus Christ. We should be reminded that God anointed David to rule over Israel and gave to him an eternal dynasty which is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. David was known as a man after God’s own heart. BUT, David displeased God. When David committed adultery with Bathsheba, and conspired to have her husband killed, God sent the Prophet Nathan with a stern rebuke (2 Samuel 12:1ff). When David sought to number the people of Israel, it was evil in the sight of God, and God sent the Prophet Gad with judgement (2 Samuel 24:1ff). No anointed leader, not even King David, is beyond prophetic criticism and godly counsel.
Any king, or president, who prefers prophets who speak words of unqualified support is a toxic leader. Toxic leaders surround themselves with prophets and advisors who are “yes” men. When Ahab sought an alliance with Jehoshaphat to go to war against Ramoth-gilead, he ask the prophets for counsel. Ahab’s court prophets, led by Zedekiah, promised victory. But Jehoshaphat asked for a prophet who was not loyal to Ahab, but loyal to God. Micaiah alone spoke the words of truth and warned that war with Ramoth-gilead would end in Ahab’s death. The kings ignored Micaiah’s warning, followed the counsel of the court prophets, and their endeavor ended in disaster. Ahab died a bloody and violent death (1 Kings 22:1ff).
I am not suggesting that Donald Trump will be a toxic president. We just don’t know that. However, his court prophets – Christians who support him – could intoxicate his administration with their unqualified support. The president needs prophetic voices. But the prophets of Yahweh have only one allegiance – to speak Yahweh’s truth. That means when the president acts foolishly, or unjustly, God’s prophets will respectfully and fearfully speak words of truth to power.
God has called his church to be a priestly and prophetic people. Not only do prophets speak the truth, but they also see the world from a different perspective – the perspective of the Kingdom of God. If we are to be faithful to Christ, we must learn to see beyond the darkness of this present age. We must be ambassadors of light in the darkness, we must boldly proclaim the truth of Christ to a world that embraces a great lie. We must remember that the evils of this world cannot be redeemed through the politics of this world, but only through the power of Christ. So we must always pray, “Your Kingdom come, your will be done.”
