I’m thinking today about the US relationship to Israel. I’m not talking politics. And I’m not talking about the country of Israel. I’m thinking of the nation of Israel and similarities with the US.

The Word tells us, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1-2).

Yet we know that time and again Israel had bad leaders. And time and again the leaders were so bad, the Lord basically gave Israel a “time out” – taken captive for years by other leaders who were even worse.

Why would a good God let His people be taken captive and controlled by bad people? For the same reason He gave the Law. So, by comparison, people would see their own shortfall and turn back to Him.

I can’t help but feel the US is headed toward captivity. Not captive to another country. Captive to ideas. Men’s ideas. The kind of ideas that caused God to say “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). And “My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways” (Isaiah 55:8).

Whatever the outcome of this election, good or bad, God allowed it. We need to search ourselves and ask, “What did I do to deserve this?”