There’s no other way to put it: the Trump presidency has been a chaotic roller coaster ride of racism, sexism, and class warfare. Not exactly what those who boldly voted for him in November 2016 expected. Back then, I wrote how one of the most disturbing things I heard since the election results were an explanation by an African American pastor of why Trump won. He boldly declared that God allowed Trump to win and added that Trump being “raised up” was much like God used Nebuchadnezzar to stir God’s people to return back to Him.
I still say STOP LYING ON GOD and twisting the truth of God’s word! Nebuchadnezzar is a cautionary tale of the dangers of pride and arrogance. Daniel 5:19 explains: “…because of the high position he gave him, all the nations and peoples of every language dreaded and feared him. But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.”
It is true that the bible is full of many instances when God used flawed people: David was an adulterer, Rahab was a prostitute, Abraham was a liar, and Peter had anger management problems. It is also true that God allowed Nebuchadnezzar to rule but I doubt that God’s original and perfect plan was to bring his children into captivity in Babylon. Captivity occurred because of disobedience. Ezra 5:12 says “But because our ancestors angered the God of heaven, he gave them into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar.” The Trump win was not necessarily God’s perfect will; it might be better stated as part of God’s permissive will.
Even if your motivation to vote is because of abortion, support for Israel, or a Supreme Court vacancy, there is no scripture to justify voting for a man who has a proven record of racism, sexism, and bullying. The sad part is that some have perverted scriptures to justify what Pastor William Barber of North Carolina called a morally and “theologically bankrupt” vote for Trump. This is similar to those who twisted Scripture to defend the morally corrupt system of slavery and segregation.
Now, one of most disturbing things I’ve heard recently from a different African American male pastor is that he was still undecided about who he should vote for in this year’s presidential election. Huh? How after 4 years of unrepentant lying, corruption, rampant unemployment not to mention over 220,000 deaths from an uncontrollable pandemic can there be confusion about the best choice for the leader of our nation?
God will hold accountable those Christians who continue to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the inflammatory rhetoric of Trump and did not embrace the truth of Matthew 12:33 which reminds us that to “…love your neighbor … is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” In other words, no religious practice/belief or political affiliation should be more important than showing love and kindness to others. Voting for a bigot like Trump is not how you show the love of Christ to others.
Shewanda Riley is the author of the Essence best-seller "Love Hangover: Moving From Pain to Purpose after a Relationship ends." She can be reached at lovehangover@juno.com, or on twitter @shewanda.