The U.S. is currently trying to negotiate a massive Trans Pacific trade deal. Congress, as written in the Constitution, is charged with giving advice and consent on trade agreements. Over the past few decades though, Congress has given up that right to the president by granting him authority to “fast track” trade negotiations. The intent is that the president can speed up the process and avoid partisan politicking. And still, the lobbying and scheming between opposing parties is as vigorous as ever.
Detractors, among other things, point to previous trade agreements (NAFTA) as failures. Proponents promise success through economic growth and more jobs. And between all of the rhetoric one important fact is lost—God’s role!
God alone controls the events of the world as Daniel states, “He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding” (Daniel 2:21).
The great fault of mankind is their utter refusal to acknowledge and submit to God. Instead, our nation pins its hopes on men. Nothing done by man’s own hands is going to change the Will of God. It can be easy to root for one man’s opinion over another, especially when those opinions appear to point in godly directions. But knowledge of God’s Will in this world’s affairs is beyond comprehension for those in spiritual darkness.
“This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (Ephesians 4:17-19).
This world continually postulates why God can’t exist. Nations make plans to better themselves and the world through their own ingenuity, and ultimately through their own greed for power. And with all of the greatness that humanity aspires to, it is pointless when God is forgotten and ignored.
It’s in this climate that we are called upon to shine as lights to the world. “So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me” (Ezekiel 33:7). The world will hate us for the way we live and for the God we profess, and yet we are to shine ever more brightly as this world grows darker. Let’s always rejoice that we have been given this opportunity—to know God and to be living examples of His Will on earth.
