We Must Be ‘Strong’ by Robert Socha

In the shadow of a presidential election fraught with unprecedented chicanery and contemptibly dishonest media coverage, I believe the tumult will not only cause men’s hearts to fail them because of fear but could quite possibly usher in a civil war. On the one hand, if President Trump prevails, the left, with its militarized arms of Antifa and BLM, will most likely resort to violent uprisings in our cities as they have historically. On the other hand, if the Biden/Harris ticket prevails, an irate militia adamant about seeing truth and justice prevail has stated there will be a call to account.

The political unrest of the past 40 days and the potential political upheaval in the next 35 days is reminiscent of the perplexities which led to many wars. Especially the one President Lincoln prevailed to hold the Union together.

What are we who hold the backbone of our republic together to do? How can we possibly contribute? My unyielding conviction is that those of us who love Liberty and Justice will take up that Cause and march forward in defense of her. But before we march, we must fall on our knees and earnestly petition the Great Benefactor to strengthen our hands and our hearts to courage.

As we celebrate the advent of Christ, the King of kings, born into a tumultuous political period, and look to Him who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, I think we can take some encouragement from another king’s last proclamation over his son.

King David’s last words to his son, Solomon, recorded in 1 Kings 2, he adjures his son, “Be strong and courageous (chazaq, i.e., strong) and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God…” This spurring is not a passive invocation but a prodding to be bold and march forward confident that Providence, who dictates the course of nations, will keep the celestial fires of our republic burning.

It is our patriotic duty to ensure this fire remains, stoked by our passion for Liberty. It is not a time to retreat into the comforts we have grown accustomed, but to advance the Cause to which we are endowed. We must raise our voices and throw off the shackles of Tyranny beating on our doorsteps: wear a face covering, no large gatherings, abstain from your family’s holiday traditions, stay six feet apart. A free people will not submit themselves long to such usurpations and must compel themselves to action.

“Be of good courage (chazaq, i.e. strong), and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.” 1 Chronicles 19:13

It behooves us to take hold of this exhortation and eschew the timidity of compliance to draconianism. We must continue to advocate for the truth to carry the day because Truth and Liberty are inseparable. We must continue to be bold in our research and understanding of prevailing winds, steering those within our circle of influence toward justice.

“Our cruel and unrelenting Enemy leaves us no choice but a brave resistance or the most abject submission; this is all we can expect-We have therefore to resolve to conquer or die: Our own Country’s Honor, all call upon us for a vigorous and manly exertion, and if we now shamefully fail, we shall become infamous to the whole world. Let us, therefore, rely upon the goodness of the Cause, and the aid of the Supreme Being, in whose hands Victory is, to animate and encourage us to great and noble Actions – The Eyes of all our Countrymen are now upon us, and we shall have their blessings, and praises, if happily, we are the instruments of saving them from the Tyranny meditated against them. Let us, therefore, animate and encourage each other, and shew the whole world, that a Freeman contending for Liberty on his own ground is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth.” ― George Washington

Therefore, be strong and courageous, and keep the charge of the Lord your God!