Boisterous and brash, America’s 45^th President has been sworn in. He’s also been sworn at and there are those who seem sworn to his destruction. Despite, however, his rocky road to the Presidency of the USA, Donald J. Trump now holds the highest office in the land. As hard as his detractors sought to keep him from the historic upset that put him into the Oval Office, they are now scrambling to discredit, delegitimize and disempower him and the team he has assembled. They’re also trying (in endless articles, interviews and analyses) to understand the man and the series of events and social shifts that allowed him to defy the pundits and pollsters. They want to know how he survived the multiple gaffes and several shameful glimpses into his past that many agreed would be fatal to his political ascendancy.

Before I go further, I have to admit that—during the raucous primaries and the early debates—I held significantly less respect for “the Donald” than I do today. His failed marriages, his financial success in the world of high-stakes gambling and real estate, his brusque and sometimes uncharitable manner towards his opponents in the ring—these things did not endear to me the man who now represents the US at home and abroad. I felt (and still feel) that nations are best represented by men and women who display both integrity and humility as well as the many skills required of a world leader. There were other potential candidates that I would have preferred if the choice had rested on me. But it did not rest on me. These things never do. They rest on the determination of God.

In the aftermath of the US election, I have to look at the outcome and acknowledge both the sovereignty and the wisdom of Almighty God. His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than ours. He knows the end from the beginning and he is able to use both the godly and the ungodly for His purposes. He is able to thwart the schemes of men and to appoint—in His timing and for His purposes—men and women to carry out the plans He has established from before the foundation of the world. I accept that God has His own reasons for placing Donald Trump in the Oval Office. This does not mean that Trump is perfect nor that he may not disappoint us at times. It simply means that God will use Him to accomplish certain things.

While there are many unknowns in the Trump Presidency, we have much to be thankful for:

1. We (and all citizens of the free world) do not have a President Hillary Clinton and her husband back in the White House. Aside from her “Crooked Hillary” characterization by the man who beat her at the polls, we know what Hillary would have done as President: she would have increased access to and money spent on abortion, accelerated the gender agenda of sexual confusion, increased deficit spending, further weakened American military and foreign policy and appointed more judges who share her worldview.
2. In a refreshing change from the last eight years, the US once more has a President who is committed to supporting the democratic nation of Israel.
3. The US now has a President committed to appointing judges—especially Supreme Court justices—who would be considered “constitutionalist”, not “revisionist” or “activist”.
4. The Inauguration was carried out successfully in spite of the concerted efforts of people who remain unwilling to accept the election results and who threatened to disrupt the transition.
5. The US finally has a President ready to confront radical Islamist terrorism.
6. The new President has appointed many successful people to serve in his team. The brightest light in the whole list is Vice President Mike Pence who has shown himself loyal, articulate, principled and genial. He does wear his faith on his sleeve and we are told that he chose II Chronicles 7:14 for a Bible verse in connection with his swearing in: If My people, called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
7. God was clearly included in the swearing-in of Mr. Trump as well. Franklin Graham, the son of Billy, read from 1 Timothy 2:1-5: I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
8. On his first day in office, the new President signed an executive order defunding International Planned Parenthood, a positive step rolling back Obama’s executive order which had reinstated the funding. If Mr. Trump continues to keep his promises to pro-lifers and family advocates, we will have much to celebrate in the years ahead. Trump is unique and his approach unprecedented but He is only a man. Those who recognize the importance of his November win must continue to hold him up in prayer.

We in Canada’s CHP, of course, recognize that we also need the blessing of Almighty God and His favour with Canadian voters in order to achieve the same kinds of electoral results in Canada. We can and must remain faithful to the cause, proclaim God’s Word with boldness, represent His Kingdom values with consistent integrity and call on Him to open for us the doors of service as future MPs in Ottawa. He can do it! His arm is not shortened; He is able to do abundantly above all we can ask or think if we will trust in Him and walk in obedience.

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