Abraham Lincoln

Threefold Branches of God’s Government

Ken

“For the LORD is our judge [judicial], the LORD is our lawgiver [legislative], the LORD is our king [executive]; He will save us” (Isaiah 33:22 KJV). Our civics lessons teach us the three branches of the United States constitutional government are the judicial, legislative, and executive branches. By providing checks and balances, it assures no single group will have too much power. As Abraham Lincoln once stated (1863), “Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.” Good government is an attempt to imitate God’s government but adapted to the limitations of its people. 

Israel was initially a theocracy led by judges until the people demanded a king. Israel’s founding laws were the Torah or the Pentateuch. “And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them” (1Samuel 8:7). What a tragedy, when God’s chosen government is overruled by the will of the people! Participate in government, where possible; but, of more importance, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1Timothy 2:1-2). Remember, God’s people benefit from the peace and tranquility of the nations in which they dwell. 

Father, we desire the conversion of our nations to Your laws; but, we pray for mercy upon those who govern us and blessing upon them that we would live our lives for You in godliness and honesty. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Demonic Locusts From the Abyss (Revelation 9:1-12)

Ken

Terrorizing only the ungodly with unimaginable pain without the release of death for five months is Satan unmasked, revealing his malevolent intentions upon his own in the Fifth Trumpet Judgment. “And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit” (Revelation 9:1 KJV). The game is up and the hand of the wicked one is forced by the Almighty, incentivizing repentance 
to those previously not so inclined in this latter part of the Tribulation Week, but why then not sudden and total mass defection from the wicked one? The chains of bondage to sin go to the depths of humanity’s normal inaction in the face of divine displeasure. The hidden curses upon all has piled up, where ‘every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword,’ as observed by Abraham Lincoln (March 4, 1865), who further declared, “The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:9). Father, it is our unimagined delight to so petition You with this affection of Your parentage. We have such tangled webs of curses ensnaring us, we find it bewildering to address. Abba Father, deliver us! Show us Your glory! In Jesus’ sin delivering name, we pray. Amen and amen. 

God Votes His Conscience

Ken

Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever” (Daniel 2:4 KJV) is probably as close to “Abraham Lincoln for President” (1864) as OT political slogans go. Should Christians take sides in political contests? Especially in political democracies, Christians may be divided on political issues much as they may differ on matters of church doctrine and polity. For the sake of the Body of Christ, Christians should especially seek solidarity with Christians. Paul advocated Christians to allow themselves to be defrauded rather than taking a brother or sister to a secular, civil court to gain justice (1Corinthians 6:1-7). Participation in politics lends itself to the acrimony of manipulation and maneuvering for advantage well known to survival of the fittest earth dwellers. Can a candidate be known as a seeker of the common good? Was the expression, Honest Abe, only apocryphal? Joseph, Naaman the Syrian general, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, Esther, Mordecai, the Ethiopian eunuch, and Cornelius the Roman centurion saw a measure of godly leadership in secular government. “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it” (1Peter 3:10-11 ESV). Our God will enthrone whomsoever He will to accomplish His purposes; and consistent with this, He simply demands on our part an honest hearted faithfulness of voting our conscience. LORD, You are the Judge of our hearts. Establish truth seekers and truth speakers in the land. Cause us to vote our conscience, and to be accountable to You, since our loyalties belong to You. O Lord, return quickly, in Jesus’ name. Amen. “Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him” (Psalm 140:11 KJV).

With Malice Toward None

Ken

“With charity toward all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nations wounds.” During the American Civil War, these were the words of President Abraham Lincoln in his March 4, 1865 Second Inaugural Address, about a month before Lee’s surrender at Appomattox and 41 days before his assassination. Charitable love must be the foundation of civilization and law, or we will descend into tyranny and despotism. “Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:35-40 KJV).

How Any Nation Can Win Their War

Ken

During the American Civil War (1861-1865) fought over the issue of slavery, President Abraham Lincoln declared a National Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer for April 30, 1863. “Nations like individuals are subject to punishments and chastisements in this world… We have forgotten God… too proud to pray to the God that made us.” On July 4, 1863, the Confederate forces surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant, ending the Siege and Battle of Vicksburg and giving control of the Mississippi River and the West to the Union. Likewise, the Confederate invasion of the North was halted at the Battle of Gettysburg, where General Robert E. Lee was forced to withdraw on July 4, 1863. Understandably, military historians view this as the turning point of the war. “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2Chronicles 7:14 KJV).