The inauguration of our 44th President.
The Bible clearly tells us that we are to pray for those God puts in leadership over us. It is the sovereign will of God that allows men to rise to power. Don't forget. At the time theses words were being written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Rome was in power and the leaders of that day were involved in the persecution and killing of Christians simply for giving their ultimate allegiance to King Jesus as opposed to Caesar. Does that mean God allowed Stalin, Hitler, and all others throughout history to rise to power. The answer is yes. Why? Like in many things, we may never know for sure. The Word says in Isaiah 55:8 that God's thoughts, God's ways are not ours. Nowhere in my Bible does it say God has to tell us everything. It is in these cases when our faith must be real, and we must trust and accept God for who He is in our life.

Because of the natural division in people's political views, there are many who are not happy to see Barack Hussein Obama become our new President. Over the past 8 years, there have been many, many in our country who have not been happy to see George Bush as our President. The fact remains, God has sovereignty allowed those men to rise to become the leader of our great nation. Because of that fact, and our Biblical mandate to pray for our leaders, I want you to take a few minutes this day, and pray for the presidency of Barack Hussein Obama. Above all, that he will be a leader after God's own heart. Not following the polls and focus groups. Not making decisions based on political pressure, but on prayer. To be all God intends him to be as the 44th President of the United States of America.

Even though the Presidency is the most visible and powerful political office, all throughout our great nation there are elected officials in national, state, and local government. People who have chosen to serve their fellow citizens by holding public office. They too have been placed in office by God, and require our prayers. It is a trust they have been given, and while we may not always agree with their politics, we can fulfill our God given responsibility to pray for them.

We are so fortunate that we live in a nation where we can freely serve God. So many places in the world this is not possible. We must never take this freedom for granted, and must take advantage of the opportunity the Lord has given us to serve Him and share His hope and love with the world. For the next 4 years, Barack Hussein Obama will be our President. Take time each day in your prayers to remember him and the awesome responsibility God has given him to lead this nation. The study of the end times is very subjective and open to much debate. But I can guarantee you one thing. God has raised this nation up in these last days to be a beacon of light to the world. To be a tool He will use in bringing in the final harvests. We are part of God's plan. He has blessed us to live in these exciting days, in the freedom to really make a difference in bringing people into the Kingdom of God. Let our nation, and let each one of us individually, never lose sight of this opportunity. God bless the Untied States, and God bless each one of us as we all respond to the call of God.

Clyde Smith