Obama’s Psalm

By Kortnee With-a-K

I have to admit, I’m tired of all the inflammatory emails that Americans feel so compelled and fascinated by. I refuse to forward them along and I refuse to be part of such ridiculous dissension.

Let me begin by saying, I had not been a big fan of President Barack H. Obama.

I might have even kind liked Romney too. I think he had some good outlook on economics that might have helped us. But I also must admit that I used to listen to bad “news” sources as well.

Bottom line? We all  know ONLY TIME WILL TELL. History tells all. But regardless of what I think or how I feel, Mr. Obama is the President, fairly elected, of the country I love.

I traveled recently to Tanzania, Africa and had the unique opportunity  during this epic three week journey to meet people from all around the globe- The Netherlands, Australia, India, Spain, Germany, and numerous other countries in Africa, just to name a few.  What absolutely blew my mind was the questions we got about our politics and their reactions. People from ALL around the globe LOVE our president. They love what he represents and they love his interactions with the world.

I was shocked.

The first few folks we spoke with received my standard reaction…”Well if you like him so much, you can HAVE him!” But then I realized that I was no better than a Dixie Chick speaking ill of my own country and so I thought better of doing that. I may not be a fan of the man but I am a hugely patriotic person. Speaking poorly of my own country in any form to citizens of other countries just felt wrong. Soooo…. I shut up and started listening more. And with my mouth shut, my mind opened.

People from around the globe really like Obama. AND they were rooting for him to win.

This made me think.

A lot.

What do they know and understand that I do not?

I am no politician and I don’t understand these dynamics. But I do know that the entire world is kind of a mess right now. And the whole world follows our politics. I couldn’t believe how much people from other countries know about our politics. To be honest, I couldn’t tell any of them even ONE thing about modern politics in their countries.  This is significant in some way- I’m just not entirely sure how.

These strangers made me think.

They gave me new perspective.

I’m was still not crazy about either presidential option,  (never have been!)

but I did know that we all need to shut up and listen a whole lot more.

We are so busy casting stones instead of listening and learning and taking REAL positive action.

It seems all we do is send around negative emails and messages that are largely FEAR BASED… not fact based.

I don’t know a lot. But I do know that our founding fathers were so successful because they were largely moderates who were willing to compromise and listen to one another.

I heard a great show on NPR recently that I tuned into after it had begun; I didn’t find out until the end who was speaking. I heard a really smart man speaking eloquently about how COMPROMISE is necessary but impossible in our political world today. EXTREMISTS on both sides have created such fear in the American public and our media latches on to the fighting and glamorizes all of it. Yes, it makes good “news” but it has royally screwed up our country. (Not his exact quote, obviously). As I listened I wished whoever this was would run for president. His perspectives were insightful and completely non-self-absorbed.

The wise man I heard was one Colin Powell. He’s brilliant and he is right. It’s time for us to stop with the nasty emails, the accusations, and the horrible thoughts. It’s time to be reasonable and it’s time we demand this from our media and our politicians. Let’s STOP BEING DIVISIVE.  It isn’t working. Enough is enough.

I recently received an email about a new bumper sticker. I haven’t personally seen any of these bumper stickers yet and I honestly hope that I do not see any. Bear with me… keep reading:

Psalm 109:8 My wife and I were in slow-moving traffic the other day and We were stopped behind a car that had an unusual Obama Bumper sticker on it. It read: “Pray for Obama. Psalm 109:8”.When we got home my wife got out the Bible and opened it Up to the scripture. She started laughing & laughing. Then she Read it to me. I couldn’t believe what it said. I had a good Laugh, too. Psalm 109:8 ~ “Let his days be few and brief; And let others step forward to replace him.” ,,, At last — I can honestly voice a Biblical prayer for our President! Look it up — it is word for word! Let us all bow our Heads and pray. Brothers and Sisters, can I get an AMEN!!!!I might suggest: PRAY PRAY PRAY!!!!!

I started by reading the entire Psalm 109.

If you haven’t done so… please read it.

Whether you’re a bible reader or not.

A simple reading of  it made me stop and say “Whoa. Would I pray this over ANYBODY? And if so, WHY.”  This little psalm ain’t NO laughing matter.

And yet here are people bragging about their laughter!

Go read it and ask yourself if this is fitting to pray against the president of your country or anyone and ask yourself when and why would you pray this.

Allow me to help:  Click here!

8 May his days be few;
may another take his place of leadership.
9 May his children be fatherless
and his wife a widow.
10 May his children be wandering beggars;
may they be driven[a] from their ruined homes.
11 May a creditor seize all he has;
may strangers plunder the fruits of his labor.
12 May no one extend kindness to him
or take pity on his fatherless children.
13 May his descendants be cut off,
their names blotted out from the next generation.
14 May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before theLord;
may the sin of his mother never be blotted out.
15 May their sins always remain before the Lord,
that he may blot out their name from the earth.

While I’m not Obama’s biggest fan, (…or anyone’s…)

I will NOT pray for his untimely death nor the horrors to follow upon his family.

I simply won’t.

Who would?

So I did a little research… Check out what I found please. (I’ve added some details below and frankly it’s interesting reading even for us non-Bible thumpers.)

I hope that Christians will arm themselves with God’s word only when it is true and good and right. In this case, it just isn’t fitting.

Go ahead; read all of Psalm 109.

I’m not including it here- go grab your bible or google it or click the link above.

I hope that’s enough to convince you.

And if you aren’t convinced, please read what I found…

(I’ve edited it quite a lot because it’s a very long bible study and he makes numerous other points. The link is included below so you can read the whole thing. BOLD and underlines have been added by myself.)

Supporting info.  Keep reading…

Psalm 109: A Prayer for the Punishment of the Wicked

Study By: Bob Deffinbaugh