The Patriot

If there is one who does justice, who seeks truth, then I will pardon her. –Jer. 5:1

If Halloween is our cultural celebration of things that go “bump” in the middle of the night, here is my contribution. By this time next week, our general populace will have decided the fate of much of the direction of our nation for the next four years. The fact that such power rests in our own hands is both invigorating and thoroughly scary. Anyone who has seen Jay Leno interview people on the street can easily attest that democracy is a frightening exercise when placed in the hands of people who think that Europe borders the U.S., that the Panama Canal was named after the man who built it, that Florida fronts the Pacific Ocean, and that Africa is the largest country in South America.

I am not sure what is more frightening, however: these people who cannot answer the simplest questions about world geography actually voting or intelligent Christians who refuse to vote because of dissatisfaction with our two-party system? I know and have talked with some in both categories: those who should not be allowed anywhere near a voting booth and those whose voice desperately needs to be heard. It is these whose vote would reflect intelligent citizenship but decline to do so that are the hardest to understand. Add to these the well meaning citizens who have informed opinions upon the issues of the day but just can’t find the time to make it to the polls or who forget to register. Taken together, they could represent a sizable force for good in any local or national election.

What is not hard to understand are the reasons for discouragement when it comes to national elections. True voices of passion and vision rarely get even a fighting chance to survive the bruising primary process. Vicious truth twisters and mockers make short work of Christian candidates who dare to speak for righteousness. The expense of a modern media campaign make compromise with big money almost a given. Candidates shamelessly exploit and manipulate various voting blocks with promises and/or half-truths. And then after the election, as often as not, winners disappoint us with their willingness to make deals with the enemies of truth or they unleash their own hidden agendas. Yes, there are plenty of reasons for weariness or downright apathy.

For anyone disheartened by the cultural backwash around us, I recommend the Book of Jeremiah as relevant and bracing material. Jeremiah found himself living in a culture with a Godly memory and tradition but one which had lost the essence and purity of that faith. Compromise infected the nation from the top to the bottom. The prophets and priests preached superficial messages that proclaimed, “All is well, all is well.”1 The lying pens of the scribes mangled the law into lies.2 The kings and princes were intent only upon dishonest gain practicing oppression and extortion.3 The people themselves had forgotten how to blush.4 And in the face of false teaching at church, the people compounded their guilt: “the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule on their own authority; and my people love it so.”5

Yet in the middle of all this decadence, Jeremiah continued to show a deep love for his countrymen and the nation of Israel. “For the brokenness of the daughter of my people I am broken.”6 He mourned and confessed a temptation to flee to the desert.7 But for all of his brokenness, he did not flee. He continued to raise his voice to warn and rebuke even to the point of embracing imprisonment. Such love is the essence of true patriotism; a love of country that is not blind to fault but pleads for redemption. Hope lay in God’s grace which was willing to pardon even if one man could be found who did justice and sought truth.8

It is my sense that we also need to raise our voice through our vote for any man who shows even a semblance of respect for justice and truth. And as God was willing to reward even partial obedience, let’s not wait for the super pure candidate to rouse ourselves. God said to Jeremiah, “Do not be dismayed. Gird up your loins, and arise, and speak to them.”8 I say, “Gird up your loins, and arise, and vote.” Being dismayed is no excuse.

Mercy and Truth, Mr. Moe

1Jer. 8:11 2Jer. 8:8 3Jer. 22:17 4Jer. 8:12 5Jer. 5:31 6Jer. 8:21 7Jer. 9:2 8Jer. 1:17