Last December, I felt what we saw in Donald Trump was pretty much what we had to put up with. A 70-year-old man with swooped back hair, wearing a Brioni suit, dripping with pride, petty anger, intelligence and courage.
But I also felt what we saw did not count much compared to what God saw in Trump’s heart. I believed God saw a man who would take a stand for Israel, weather every international storm sure to hit him and still move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, recognizing the Holy City as the capital of Israel. (WND, column by Larry Nevenhoven, 12/22/2017)
If my insight was correct when I wrote the above column for WND, then there might be some problems for those who openly defy or rebel against President Trump –
He allowed no one to oppress them; He rebuked kings on their account, saying, “Touch not My anointed ones, do My prophets no harm!” (Psalm 105:15 ESV)
I don’t believe President Trump is a prophet, but I do absolutely believe he is God’s chosen man to bless Israel at this stage in history. So, along with the anointing, I believe God will protect and avenge President Trump.
How will God do this? I don’t claim to know, but I do understand that the Hebrew word translated into our English word rebuked can mean more than a verbal reprimand. It can also mean to be judged and chastened.
Why pray for California?
Gavin Newsom was sworn in as California’s 40th governor yesterday. In his acceptance speech, he stated that California would offer an alternative to the corruption and incompetence in the White House. Not only that, Newsom placed California in a nation-state category versus the Trump Administration and America.
Therefore, I live in California, a state that openly thumbs its nose at God’s anointed. This may not end well for us.
My prayer for today:
O Lord, California has sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled against You and Your ways. To You belongs righteousness, but to us open shame because we have sinned against You. According to Your righteousness, let Your anger and Your wrath turn away from California. O Lord, listen to Your servant’s pleas for mercy and for Your own sake, make Your face shine upon California, which is a desperate state in need of Your Spirit now. (Based on Daniel 9:3-19)
Join with me on Tuesdays to fast and pray for California and the West Coast.
Larry Who 
My question, if Donald Trump is our national leader, allowed or appointed of God, isn’t Gavin Newsom also allowed or appointed by God, both men in their imdividual positions to serve a purpose of God? What is one supposed to conclude with such very opposite persons in power in high government?
Johan Pettersen,
What a great question! Here’s my thinking:
“For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.'” (Romans 9:17)
This is a verse that causes most of us to do a double-take because we can’t believe the Lord would think or act like this. But if we take our blinders off and read Romans Chapter 9, we will learn a truth. God raises some people up to be leaders so He can show His power in judgment against them.
This does not mean that God induced Pharaoh from being a kind-hearted Egyptian into being hardened toward God and Israel. No – not at all. God simply allowed Pharaoh to follow his natural inclination toward its highest level of wickedness.
Now, this is an extreme example and I’m sure there are many lesser judgment levels for leaders.
Yet, it makes the point that God raises up leaders to oppose Him so that He can receive glory by bringing judgment on them…if He chooses to do so.
As far as Governor Newsom, I pray for the Lord to have mercy on him and hope he gives his life to the Lord.