Because I have something of a prophetic reputation I am continually asked my opinion about current events. This is a serious problem because I can give my opinion and it is often related as being a prophecy even when I make it clear that it is an opinion and not a prophecy. I do not presume to know the Lord's perspective on everything, or even many things that relate to current events. I used to take His silence as rejection, but now I feel that there may be a message in it.

 

The last time He would not speak to me on a matter that I earnestly sought Him about was the Y2K matter. For months I inquired of Him with no response. Finally, when He did speak to me about it, He merely said that He was not speaking about it because it was not going to be anything. That, of course, turned out to be exactly right.

 

I have learned that many things in my personal life that I can be consumed with usually turn out to be insignificant, and therefore just a waste of my worries. I have also learned many things that capture the interest and concern of the world do not even cause a ripple in heaven. Usually it is for the same reason; these matters turn out to be unimportant. Because of this, I try to pray every day to see with His eyes, hear with His ears, and understand with His heart. I do not claim to be anywhere close to this now, but I believe that this is the calling of every Christian, not just those who are called prophetically.

 

I also like to watch the news, and follow politics and business because they can reveal the heart of the people that we are called to reach. However, it is crucial that we are able to separate what the people are saying from what God is saying. These two are often not only different but in opposition to each other. Even so, we can be thankful for democracy, as it is obviously the best form of government on earth. We can have the most perfect form of government but it will be no better than the men and women who are in it. 

 

Democracy is supposed to be the rule of the people. In such a form of government there will always be dissent. But if those who are in dissent are the minority, they must work to be more convincing to take their position before they have their way. This is how it is supposed to work. The courts have an enormous authority to dictate the actual application of the laws passed by the majority of people. Many shrewd people who understand this try to dictate policy by setting legal precedents. Precedent law is one of the widest open doors for injustice that can tragically pervert justice and the will of the people. Even so, our system of justice usually does remarkably well considering that it is run by people. All people are fallible, even the best Christians.

 

We must understand that the practice of law is an art, not a science. One can be dead wrong but still win in court by being able to articulate a more persuasive argument, or by seizing a technicality. Because it seems that the entire presidential election was really decided by the Supreme Court, what should be our response to this as Christians?

 

First, we must keep in mind that even the most perfect government of man will not be perfect. The United States is not the kingdom of God, and will have its flaws until the King returns. Half of the people in America not only felt that their man lost the election, but that they were cheated out of it. We were thrust into a situation in which either way it was decided would not be fair to the other side. We were simply caught in that terrible place where perfect justice was humanly impossible. It is time that we wake up to the fact that we have always been there. Perfect justice and perfect government are not humanly possible. Even so, because I have traveled much of the world and have seen the alternatives with all of their flaws, I am profoundly thankful to be an American and to live in a democracy.

 

I was once astonished as I watched the former owner of the Washington Redskins football team make a statement after his team lost a playoff game by what the cameras clearly showed was a bad call by the officials. He said simply, "The world is not fair. We should not expect to be treated fairly." He then talked about how it was their job to come back next year and play well enough so that the game would not be decided by officials.