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He prayed.
Surrounded by a cacophony of voices, with a steady stream of demands and threats pouring into his office, Mike Johnson took time to seek God’s wisdom.
The choice before him was laden with consequences—global, economic, moral, political, and personal. For Mike Johnson, there was the spiritual dimension too.
Whatever he did, it would be right. Whatever he did, it would also be wrong. There would be no splitting the difference on this one. This was a time to choose.
The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives would put his power ahead of policy, or he would risk his power for the sake of policy. Mike Johnson, the soft-spoken Christian gentleman from Louisiana, had to decide.
Speaker Johnson defied his congressional Republican caucus and worked with Democrats to secure passage of a foreign aid bill totaling nearly $100 billion. It included help for Israel, which is waging war against terrorists, and for Taiwan, which sits in China’s crosshairs. The bulk of the aid package—$60 billion—is going to support Ukraine’s valiant struggle against Russia’s year-long ruthless invasion.
Many in Congress oppose this foreign aid. It’s too costly and we’ve got to fix things in America first. One conservative commentator mocked Johnson’s seeking of divine guidance. It must be, after “consulting” with his Maker, that “God and the Democrats told” the Speaker to vote for aid to Ukraine.
We would be wise not to make fun of prayer. True, few in Washington “consult” with God on much of anything these days, but many still believe in the importance of going to him in prayer. Rather than being ridiculed for praying, Speaker Johnson should be commended.
One may disagree with the Speaker’s vote, but it seems quite impressive—to say nothing of refreshing—that a powerful politician in Washington would put his job on the line for the sake of what he believes is right—for our country and the world.
Character counts.
Mike Johnson proved, in his self-effacing, direct, and humble way, that he’s a man of character. This was a pleasant surprise for some. It’s almost quaint today to consider matters of principle and the public interest. We’ve become so jaded and cynical that we’ve accepted corruption and partisan rancor as standard practice and dismissed even the possibility of statesmanship.
We’ve gradually embraced the lowest common moral denominator. Which is both sad and dangerous. A political leader praying? Really?
In the depths of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln told a friend that, “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go."
I don’t know if God supports aid to Ukraine. I don’t know if he told Mike Johnson how to vote.
God is not an isolationist. While he loves Americans, he gave his Son to die for the world. God loves and cares for all those who are suffering injustice and oppression, no matter their race or nationality. Or where they live. He cares for those who are bravely fighting for their freedom and self-determination.
God loves his chosen people Israel. He will never forsake them. Neither must we.
When it comes to the suffering, the needs, and the struggles of people around the globe, the Christian must be an internationalist committed to sharing the love of Jesus Christ with people everywhere in the world. You and I must be the advocates and supporters of hope, justice, and salvation for all people, wherever they are.
Isolationism, whether in our own country or abroad, is rooted in selfishness and motivated by fear. It has a history of short-sightedness, danger, and failure. We must never embrace it. Isolationism and inward turning is not a foreign policy worthy of the name. It is an abandonment of American principle, duty, morality, and compassion.
When we have serious troubles at home, it is tempting to withdraw, turn our back, and forget that the United States is the leader of the Free World; the beacon of liberty and the voice of hope for hundreds of millions of people you and I will never know.
We must secure our border. But if we build a mile-high wall and ignore the world, we’ll still be less safe and the world more dangerous.
We must avoid ill-conceived and misguided military ventures; wars with no clear goals or end in sight. We’ve tragically expended too much human treasure on those mistakes. But this must not blind us to our global responsibilities. We cannot be the policeman of the world, but we must be the world’s moral example and leader. A force for good on behalf of the oppressed.
The new isolationists in Washington don’t know what in the world they’re doing. They are determined to repeat a history they’ve forgotten—or perhaps never knew.
Had it not been for the fearless and wise leadership of Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill in preparing and leading their reluctant and frightened nations into the great struggle against totalitarianism, there would be no freedom today. That Great Crusade united America across the political divide. Freedom, justice, and our way of life mattered more than party.
None of it was easy. But nothing great ever is.
As followers of Jesus Christ, you and I must care about our world. Not just our community and our lives, but the whole world.
There is no greater international vision in history than the Great Commission. Jesus commands us to have a world view and a global mission.
To go to every corner of the world; to care for every man, woman, and child. To show them the love of Jesus Christ.
To lift their burdens, bind up their wounds; to set the oppressed free, to give them hope, and to recognize our shared humanity.
Yes, the world.
May God bless you and your family.
In His Grace,
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