I’m back!! It’s been a while since I have written, but in light of the recent election, I felt that it was time to come back and write. Things need to be said, and we all need to be diligent, in light of certain things.
For instance, there are supporters of Donald Trump calling for internment of Muslims. The example by one supporter that was used was the Japanese internment camps of the 1940s- that it is a precedent for what should be done to Muslims.
It has also been reported that there is a registry in the works for Muslims. This came from a key member of the transition team of Donald Trump as they work towards a peaceful transition of power.
This is reminiscent not just of the Holocaust under Adolf Hitler, but also of the story of Esther, of the Bible.
Esther’s people (the Israelites) were political prisoners at the time of King Xerxes within Persia. One of his key advisers had a deep hatred of the Israelites and devised a plan for them to die, starting with Mordecai, the man who had raised Esther from a young age, because Mordecai refused to bow to him in supplication.
Esther was called upon to go before her husband, King Xerxes, and plead for the Israelites’ lives. Gathering her courage she did so, and the corruption of the king’s adviser was exposed. He was then hung on the very gallows he had had built for Mordecai to hang from.
While that is a very diluted and quick account of the biblical story, the point it is mentioned is this — We have to have that courage when things are done that are unjust, and unmerciful. We have to stand against corruption. I am a firm believer that it is not flesh and blood that we wrestle against but spiritual wickedness in high places; however, the office of the president is a very high place. It also has the possibility to be rife with spiritual wickedness and darkness.
Throughout the Bible, we are called as the children and people of God to stand with those who are oppressed, to fight back against such things, and to name it for what it is. We need the strength of the judge, Deborah, the courage of Queen Esther, the love of Ruth, the faith of Rahab, and the willingness of spirit of Mary, mother of Jesus.
My fellow Christians, we have to stand. Even if this is just talk, we have to stand and not be silent. Whatever comes from the heart can enter the mind, then exit from the mouth.
Seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.
Featured Image by netzanette via Flickr under a CC BY-NC 2.0 license
