By Larry Buford
There’s an old saying: “The bigger they are, the harder they fall” as the biblical account of David and Goliath illustrates. The Trump administration has been dangerously touting the strength and power of the United States military as the greatest the world has ever seen. I say “dangerously” because the Bible says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18).
President Trump boasts of the mighty American military in his eight-minute Truth Social address about combat operations in Iran that commenced on Feb. 28. In it he stated, “This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States Armed Forces.” Can you read any humility into that?
There is also a fact-finding response to what the president said written by PolitiFact’s Amy Sherman that calls into question much of the administration’s rationalizations for inciting war with Iran.
How can anyone believe anything Trump says as he continues to lie and deceive the American people and the world at every turn? It’s not a stretch to think that he started a war to deflect attention to the much talked about Epstein files. He lied about widespread fraud in the 2020 election and so much more; but I’ll just stop at what took place Jan. 6, 2021.
Trump says the attack on Iran was for the good of the future, but his lawlessness and roughshod approach to government and decorum has possibly already poisoned the soil for generations to come. I can just hear them now: “Well if he did that and got away with it, why can’t I?”
Before the 2024 election, right-wing televangelists were clamoring for a “strong man,” reasoning that a show of strength would deter our enemies. However, strength without wisdom and humility comes to naught without the favor of the Almighty. 1 Peter 5:6 says, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”
God was displeased when King David ordered a census of his military soldiers and resources, implying that he relied on human strength, when in fact it was God giving him great victory all along (2 Samuel 24). The same goes for the accounts of Joshua and Gideon. God wants the glory as a witness to the world.
God says in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” And the Apostle Paul surmised, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.”
As I’ve stated before, “America is mighty, but has lost her might because she no longer enjoys the presence of the Almighty.” Despite what the Trump administration does—no congressional approval nor follow-up plan for the Iran operation—remember, God is in control. Keep the faith!
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the AFRO.