It’s Not About Trump. It’s About Jesus
Last night’s State of the Union message vividly portrayed America’s cultural divide–a battle of worldviews.
The Milano Cortina Olympics showcased the same cultural chasm with some great displays of faith and patriotism as well as high-profile secular “statements” and national disdain.
And decision day with Iran is quickly approaching with the world divided on what to do.
What do we make of the divisions in our nation and world and how should we pray?
It’s Not About Trump. It’s About Jesus
One of my favorite news commentators is often asked why the Democratic Party–and many education, media and entertainment personalities–oppose an American revival and social renewal. These elites not only share a contrary opinion on issues, but often express it with anger.
When people ask why the vitriol, this pundit always replies:
“They hate Trump.”
Yes, Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) exists in our world. But this explanation doesn’t go far enough. It fails to peek behind the curtain” and tell us why.
Despite Trump’s imperfections (which we all possess), it’s obvious to any candid observer that God raised up (or allowed) Donald Trump to become president twice to turn America around. We were heading toward a civilizational crash due to turning away from our Judeo-Christian roots and ideals.
Trump is attempting to renew those foundations through wise, common sense policies with a plethora of godly leaders appointed to his Cabinet and all branches of government.
A recent example of the renewal of faith is Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s prayer at last week’s National Governor’s Association Dinner at the White House.
Please take time to watch it here.
Many people hated the prayer and cried foul due to a deceptive view of “separation of church and state.”
They’re wrong. Secretary Hegseth simply exercised his freedom of speech/religion that the Constitution guarantees while pointing the nation to God and the need for his help and wisdom in our national life.
Yes, people hate Donald Trump because he’s renewing the Judeo-Christian heritage of the USA. But it’s not Trump–though he is the most high-profile messenger. Behind the curtain of human deception stands Lucifer and his demons who hate Jesus Christ and the salvation he brings to the world.
It’s not about Trump.
It’s about Jesus.
Here’s the biblical basis for the hate and spiritual divide in the U.S. and world:
And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children—all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus (Revelation 12:17).
Satan is at war with Jesus and his followers. And in the last 250 years of history, he’s been losing badly.
In 1792 when William Carey published the first book on Christian world missions (An Inquiry), there were about 30 Christian-majority nations (biblical worldview societies) in the world (Europe and the USA).
Today there are 120 out of 200.
The United States is a 62% believing nation as well as the guiding light for freedom and Good News worldwide. But since the 1970’s that majority has been shrinking due to lack of evangelism and discipleship by the Church. As the 2020’s dawned, we were close to being “lost” to secular ideology, growing tyranny, moral debauchery, and international weakness. America’s fall could have facilitated a one-world authoritarian state.
The Left (atheists) hate Trump because he’s committed to “making America great (faith-filled) again.”
But modern-day atheists are also persistent. Their recent scheme is to “Give Up Christianity for Lent.” Breitbart News reports:
“The Democrat party ignored Christians but highlighted Muslim and Chinese traditions in recent social media posts. The party’s Facebook, Instagram, and X profiles but did not find any references to Ash Wednesday, which was February 18.
Instead, the leftist political party highlighted Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar in which Muslims participate in fasting, according to Britannica.
“We wish a reflective and peaceful Ramadan to all who observe. Ramadan Mubarak!” the Democrat Party wrote on X:
In regard to the Lunar New Year, which is celebrated by the Chinese, the party said, “Happy Lunar New Year! Wishing all who celebrate and their loved ones good health, fortune, and prosperity as we welcome the Year of the Horse.”
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, which is a period of fasting for Christians that ends on Easter Sunday. The Museum of the Bible states: “While Ash Wednesday and Lent have been observed by Catholics for centuries, today, some Protestants also choose to observe the tradition.”
President Donald Trump issued a proclamation on Ash Wednesday acknowledging the hundreds of millions of Christians in the United States and all over the globe who observe it.
The president also highlighted the role the Christian faith played in America’s beginnings:
Every Ash Wednesday, Christians receive ashes in the shape of a cross on their foreheads as a visible reminder of our belonging to Jesus Christ and our enduring need for penance. For the next 40 days, in remembrance of Jesus’ 40 days of temptation in the desert, followers of Christ will pray, fast, and give alms to deepen their faith, reflect on His redeeming Passion and death, and prepare their hearts for the coming Easter miracle.
As the holy season of Lent begins, we are reminded that the practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving have been foundational to our strength from the earliest days of our national story. From the Colonists who turned to prayer and fasting in the heart of the Revolutionary War to the unmatched compassion and generosity of America’s churches, hospitals, and charitable institutions, these righteous acts of faith over the centuries have always stood at the center of our identity, our heritage, and our way of life.
“This Ash Wednesday, as we remember the Passion and ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross, we send our best wishes for a meaningful Lenten season. Above all, as we prepare for the triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday — the greatest miracle in the history of mankind — we pause to remember those sacred words: ‘This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.’”
Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) was criticized for his simple post about Ramadan and for making an Ash Wednesday post political.
In addition, a councilman in Louisville, Kentucky, shared his mayor’s post about lighting up a bridge “in honor of Ramadan,” questioning when the same thing would be done for Ash Wednesday: Councilman Anthony Piagentini wrote: “Great. When are we lighting it up for Ash Wednesday? You know, the kickoff to the holiest time of year for the largest religious population in Louisville?”
A missions mentor, Paul Hawkins, shared recently with me that “Christophobia” has now entered the Wikipedia dictionary:
Anti-Christian sentiment, also referred to as Christophobia, is the fear, hatred, discrimination, or prejudice against Christians and/or aspects of the Christian religion’s practices. The presence of anti-Christian sentiment has frequently led to the persecution of Christians throughout history.
“Christian nationalism” is also being used to bash believers. Why? Because the devil hates Christians (Christ) and also nations (they get in the way of his one-world government plan).
The Bible calls this hatred “the spirit (mindset) of antichrist” (1 John 4:3).
It’s not about Donald Trump or anybody else. Satan hates Jesus and does not want America revived and other nations to be evangelized and discipled.
We must pray for the “obedience to the faith among all nations” (Romans 1:5) including joining tomorrow’s global Collegiate Day of Prayer. (Thursday, February 26.)
Let us pray.
