Truth Will Triumph

“Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.” –Proverbs 16:13. (ESV).

We are in a period of time before our elections in November when the airways are filled with voices of persons running for public office.  The messages we hear often confuse us by the different viewpoints held by opposing candidates.  Where is truth, we wonder, and how can we know whom to believe?  From the welter of words can we decipher a modicum of dependable clarity that comes close to truth, to the reality of what can be understood and accepted?  I found some principles in Proverbs and elsewhere that should help us have some standards by which to weigh the campaign promises of those whom it is our duty to put into offices of our land as leaders.

Solomon wrote in Proverbs 16:2:  “All the ways of man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit” (ESV). The Message Bible by Eugene H. Peterson (NavPress, 2005) renders the verse thus:  “Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; God probes for what is good.” This verse makes a strong case for us to be discerning, to put what we hear from candidates against the test of God’s standards as we find them in the Bible.  Recent events have cast a cloud over some of the happenings leading up to the 2012 election.  I write this—not to “take sides” politically, but to urge that each person should be conscience-led to make his/her own decisions.  This has come through truthful reports of the recent Democratic National Convention held in Charlotte, NC, and if you were watching you saw proceedings for yourself.  The leaders had made the choice to leave mention of God and Jerusalem out of their platform.  So much criticism came that when mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa was presiding, a motion was made on the floor to include the words in the platform.  A two-thirds majority was needed to carry the proposal.  He called for an “aye” voice vote, and many did voice their approval.  Then he asked for all opposed to say “no.”  Rev. Franklin Graham stated:  “I watched in horror and absolute disbelief at the deafening roar as delegates rejected including any mention of God’s name.” (from “Good News” Billy Graham Evangelistic Association newsletter, September 21, 2012, p. 1).  Mr. Villaraigosa called for two more votes, and each time the opposition was stronger to having God’s name excluded.  The presiding officer wielded his gavel and declared the vote approved.  How does this fit with Proverbs 12:2?  “All the ways of man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.”  Jeremiah the prophet constantly warned Israel of the nation’s downfall and captivity by Babylon.  The reason Jeremiah gave repeatedly was “My people have forgotten Me, days without number” (Jer. 2:32b); “they have forgotten the Lord their God” (Jer. 3:21b); “You have forgotten Me and trusted in lies” (Jer. 13:25b); “my people have forgotten Me; they make offerings to false god” (Jer. 18:15a).  “Political correctness” has superceded “In God we trust.”  God help us!

Prayer.  Lord, we earnestly pray that our nation will listen and discern the truth amidst the welter of false promises and unsubstantiated claims.  I pray that we will not be led astray by those who claim to present the truth but it is only right in their eyes, not according to God’s standard.  Lord, we claim your promise in Proverbs 16:20:  “Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.”  Let it not be too late for America to turn back to You, Lord.  Give us another opportunity to follow Your pathways for our nation.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.