In 2017, we'll likely see major developments, renewed hope, and a return to the Constitution
We’ve seen developments — particularly since November — that have been history-making. The “ultimate outsider” is now president-elect of the United States. And I suspect we will see change in Washington, D.C., unlike anything we could imagine in our day.
But are the changes really changes at all? Throughout the next four years, I doubt we will see Washington, the Pentagon, the military, or any other department of the federal government change into something radically different. Instead, Donald Trump is someone who will call America back to what it was meant to be.
Returning to the Constitution
This includes calling back the political system to what it was meant to be: serving the people, with politicians simply allowed to govern. The year 2017 is one I am looking forward to because of a renewed focus on the Constitution. In order for America to advance, we must go back before we can go forward, with a sense of accountability, honesty, and strength.
Proverbs 16:3 says: “Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established” (NKJV). Christian Americans must commit our work to the Lord. In the same chapter, Verse 6 says, “In mercy and truth, atonement is provided for iniquity; and by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.”
In the next five years, could we be living in a country where more people will come to the understanding that reverence for God needs to be established in our hearts and minds once again?
As we head into 2017, our prayer should be that Donald Trump will be a man who is directed by the Lord. Proverbs 16:9 says that “a man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Maybe Donald Trump will be directed by the Lord, or perhaps he will get us a little closer to being a society that is not ashamed of the Lord — to allow the Lord to be freely praised in our military, our schools, and in our society.
OK, maybe I’m overly optimistic, but six months ago — we all thought we were doomed.
Hope in the Year Ahead
We have so much we can be hopeful for as we head into 2017. It is the kind of hope we have not had for many, many years. Let’s make sure we remind our children and grandchildren how fortunate we are to be able to place our hope and trust once again in leadership that can make the next generation far greater than the current one.
I believe 2017 will certainly be a year for optimism, enthusiasm, patience, and commitment to our country and to our allies with this new leadership, which I pray has come from God.
All through Scripture, God has used some very unrighteous, unlikely men to lead people back to Him. I don’t know if Donald Trump is as unlikely as some might think, but I do know that only by the hand of God did Trump win the presidency. I believe that 2016 was the year God showed us that He will continue to shed His grace on us as long as we continue to be repentant, steadfast, and unwavering in our commitment to God and country.
We must also stay supportive and not expect perfection, but continue to focus on the big picture while remembering where we were and where we are headed. We need to embrace this change for the next eight years, and start praying now that it will lead to eight more years of a Mike Pence administration.
I’m looking forward to saying, “Happy New Year” as we allow 2017 be the year of confirmation that God is in control. But we must remember that God’s people have been given the power to make a difference — as we make a commitment to remain faithful.
Dan Celia is president and CEO of Financial Issues Stewardship Ministries Inc., and host of the nationally syndicated radio and television program “Financial Issues,” heard daily on more than 600 stations across the country and reaching millions of households on the National Religious Broadcasters Network, BizTV, and Dove-TV.
(This blog was first posted on Lifezette.com here: https://www.lifezette.com/faithzette/pray-trump-directed-by-the-lord/)
