The God Factor

I think we will all agree that our world is in a terrible mess - financially, politically, and spiritually. It seems most of our leaders have lost their belief, or never believed in, The God Factor. They are looking to their fame, expertise, education, political persuasion, wealth, or their power to get them to their anticipated destination, which is usually the approval of man; or the things they think will bring them success and security. If only these leaders of our media, churches, towns, states, and our nation would come to “know” that true success and security come only when The God Factor is counted in. We are presently in a political campaign to elect the next President of the United States, the greatest country on earth. The candidates from both parties are feverishly working to get that nomination, and eventually elected. But only a fraction of them are depending on The God Factor to put them over the top. Most are depending on their monies, their claim to fame, or their connections to bring success. One, maybe two, candidates stand out in this “crowd” to be the only ones who are trusting in The God Factor. This writing is to point out the similarities of one of these candidates to a leader and hero in the Bible. That hero is Gideon, his story is found in Judges six and seven, and the 2016 candidate is Ben Carson, today’s hero. There are a lot of similarities between Gideon and Ben Carson. Both came from very humble backgrounds. Gideon was from the poorest clan in Mannaseh, and the least (unimportant) in his family. But the Lord called Gideon a “mighty man of fearless courage,” and told him to “go in your might.” What was Gideon’s might? He stood in awe of God and reverenced Him, and didn’t fear man. He was “strong in the Lord.” He remembered the past wondrous works of God for the Israelites, and God reminded Gideon that He had sent him, and He would go with Him, and He would defeat his foes as if he were the only man fighting. His foes were “like locust in multitude,” Gideon’s army was 32,000 in the beginning, but God told him to scale it down so Israel wouldn’t boast that the victory was by their own hand, but acknowledge it was from the Lord. By the time God's scaling was over there were only 300 left. So Gideon built an altar of “peace” to the Lord and tore down the heathen altars. He stood for righteousness – he was not politically correct. Even though Gideon had some doubts as to whether he would be victorious, God confirmed his calling and victory. Subsequently, Gideon’s army just stood in their place around the camp of the enemy and blew their trumpets. The enemy in fear either killed each other or fled. Gideon’s army had victory because of the God Factor. ------------------------------- Ben Carson lived in dire poverty until he was grown. He learned to trust God through all of his learning (schooling and life experiences), therefore God has given him many high positions, titles and accolades, because of his humility through them all, and his trust and commitment to Christ, knowing it was only because he could do all things through Christ Who strengthened him. He is humble enough to know that if God called him He would provide everything he would need to complete and fulfill the job, even if the secular media, highly respected people, and even friends (?) forsook him. Ben Carson knows that his God will never, never, no never leave him nor forsake him. In like-manner as Gideon, God will be with Ben Carson and he will defeat all those against him, even if he has to do it alone without any support other than from God. “If God be for him who can be against him?” (1) Dr. Carson’s fleece was his waiting on God to move supporters to contribute with prayer and financial help before he even agreed to run. Then it was “Run, Ben, Run!” Ben Carson is a gentle giant, but a mighty man of courage. He faces his opponents with soft-spoken, but authoritative words, words of peace, never degrading but “speaks the truth in love.” He has refused to accuse his opponents but has bowed at his “altar of peace.” He has dedicated himself to peace, peaceful talk and peaceful acts, and to let God do the “work” and fight for his cause. When it seemed like his opponents has overcome him, he has turned to the Lord in submission to be filled with God’s Spirit. He hasn’t heard, “stop,” so he will continue to fight on until the Lord says, “Here is your victory!” I will say to Ben Carson, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways recognize and acknowledge Him for all He is, and He will direct and make your paths straight and plain.” (2) Don’t look at the nay-sayers demeaning eyes, nor listen to their critical words, for the Lord is on your side! Remember, “It is not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord.”(3) When Christians in all evangelical churches have been praying that righteous leaders would be elected, do they not see that if we don’t put our vote where our prayers are, our vote is self defeating. We must vote for humble, peace seeking, God-fearing, and God-glorifying people to our public offices, then factor in God. That is our part in answering our own prayers for righteous leaders. The critics and pundits may say, “Carson is too low in the polls to ever catch up.” “He is not electable considering how strong the other side is.” They don’t know that God’s ways are not our ways, He loves to surprise us and our opponents, and He is still in the miracle working business. So, stand back, you nay-sayers, watch the “salvation of the Lord” for Ben Carson. Don’t forget the God Factor!! (1) Romans 8:31 (2) Proverbs 3:5-6 (3) Zechariah 4:6