Today's Scripture Reading (April 24, 2025): Judges 4
I am a proud Canadian. I have admitted that before, and more than just being a Canadian, I actually still live in Canada. My heritage is Irish, and I know that the suspicion is that the Irish diaspora is larger than the number of Irish people who live in Ireland. Sometimes, I feel the same way about Canadians. You likely have a Canadian living near you regardless of where you live. But I am a Canadian living in Canada.
I am a proud Canadian, and I am also not a huge fan of President Trump. I haven't been a fan since before he got into politics, which sets me apart from many of my neighbors. You have to understand I live in Alberta, which is the Redneck Capital of Canada, and one thing that I know is that Rednecks love President Trump. All of this means that I am out of step with the politics of my area. Because of the tariffs, some of my friends are coming over to the dark side, which is a little scary because I think they have considered me the Canadian Darth Vader since 2015. I have to admit that it feels good to have the company. On another note, Comedian John Stewart recently called Canada the "labradoodle of allies;" I am increasingly okay with that description.
All of this admission has a purpose. I read recently on Social Media that Donald Trump is the reason for a revival in the United States, that he is the instrument God is using to draw the United States to himself. I admit that I am not a fan of the President; in fact, I find America First and its close cousin, Canada First, to be decidedly antiChristian. Christ always put others first. This doesn't have to mean sacrificially, but that we consider what happened to others significant to our life choices. Sin is often phrased as taking advantage of the other person. The idea that we would do only what benefitted us and his church seems to have never crossed Jesus's mind. Life isn't about me; it is about God. However, there is a second problem with the thought that the President is bringing people back to God. Here it is: Donald Trump is temporary. I don't mean that this is his last term. I predicted in 2016 that President Trump might serve three terms as President of the United States. The President seems to have every intention of running for that third term and maybe longer. Welcome to the 21st century. But someday, the President will die; none of us live forever. Then, the baton will be passed to the next generation, which might mean King Eric, King Donald II, or perhaps even King Barron. And if revival is based on King Donald I, then the nation will again fall into sin.
It is the story of Ehud. Ehud was a good man who kept Israel safe and led them into a revival and a return to God. And that revival lasted as long as Ehud was alive. But because the revival was based in Ehud, it had no staying power. Instead, the people returned to their evil ways as soon as Ehud died. And that is the sad truth for every revival based on a person. If it is built around a leader, we might be okay if the leader is with us. However, when the leader is removed, the people return to the desires hidden in their hearts, where there has been no change. God wants to do a work in all of us, but he has to build it in our hearts and nowhere else. It can't be because a political or spiritual leader is leading us. It has to be because that is what we want God to do in our lives, or we will return to our former ways when the leader can no longer tell us what to do.
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Judges 5
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