Preparing for the Presidential Transition

by Reuven and Mary Lou Doron
(En EspaƱol)


Can You Feel The Shift?
Many intercessors are aware of an irritation of soul and a sense of vulnerability in the air these days. It seems that the closer America gets to the upcoming presidential transition, January 20, the more frustration and exasperation seem to surface in the land. Most folks, however, fail to discern these as widespread spiritual dynamics that we need to "work with," but rather get entangled by their trappings, engage with them soulishly and suffer loss.

The frustration and vulnerability you may feel are directly related to the imminent transition of power in the White House. As imperfect as a president may be, the president's office nevertheless possesses and exercises God-ordained authority and power that provide a parental covering and a protection for the nation. Flawed as President Bush may have been, his presidency provided that protection and covering for America. This covering and ensuing confidence are fading away daily as we draw closer to January 20, generating a growing sense of vulnerability, concern and irritability among those spiritually sensitive.

President-elect Barack Obama is still an unknown. While his policies are clearly displayed and easily understood, his track record, motives, core convictions, vision and "ability to lead under fire" are subject to debate and uncertainty. These dynamics may change, transform or be amplified, depending upon the new president's performance in light of the immense challenges he is facing both domestically and abroad. As intercessors we are well aware that America is still a nation at war, targeted by global terror organizations from without and confronted by a very troubled economy within.

The intercessors must therefore watch and pray, abide in the love of God and present ourselves as vessels to be filled and moved by His Holy Spirit so that we can be part of the solution, and not the problem, in the coming days. Remember Mordecai of old (in the book of Esther) who served God's purposes, distinguished himself, helped save his people and gained influence and trust as he displayed honor and loyalty to a pagan king.

Barack Obama is not a pagan king. Yet, the new president, as well as America as a nation, needs the Church to be clothed in readiness, filled with grace and truth, empowered with the Spirit of God, and able to serve in a full capacity according to the divine plan. To put it prophetically, according to Judges Chapter 4, Barack (Barak in Hebrew) needs a Deborah.

Barak Can't Win Without Deborah
"Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel… Then she sent and called for Barak the son of Abinoam… and said to him, ‘Has not the LORD God of Israel commanded, ‘Go and deploy troops at Mount Tabor… and against you I will deploy Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude… and I will deliver him into your hand?' And Barak said to her, ‘If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!' So she said, ‘I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.'

"So Sisera gathered together all his chariots, nine hundred chariots of iron… Then Deborah said to Barak, ‘Up! For this is the day in which the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the LORD gone out before you?' So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him. And the LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army with the edge of the sword before Barak; and Sisera alighted from his chariot and fled away on foot. But Barak pursued… and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left"
(Judges 4).

The Spirit of God is indicating that there is hope and that the saints will do well to focus on His calling and purpose, rather than being caught up with, and engrossed by, the turmoil and anxiety that fill the world. As in the biblical narrative, President-elect BARACK, whether you have voted for him or not, will need a godly DEBORAH if he is to succeed in the difficult battles facing America in the days ahead. Is anything too difficult for God? Has not the Lord touched, used and even transformed hearts of kings and rulers throughout history? From Pharaoh to Abimelech to Nebuchadnezzar, God's intervention in their lives changed history and served His purpose.

The Prophetic Scene
For those who can receive it, Barak in the biblical narrative is prophetically reflective of Barack Obama. (In fact, by a few accounts, the name Barack is the Arabic equivalent of the Hebrew word translated "Barak.) But who is Deborah? She is the Warrior Bride: God's agent of justice and truth on earth who not only dispenses righteous judgments and justice, but is also a prophetic messenger revealing the nature and purpose of God to the nation. Deborah is the Church of the Lord Jesus the Messiah; serving in times of turmoil, instructing men in the will of God, standing in the gap at personal risk and danger, and interceding until victory is achieved.

Deborah was a prophetess, a Judge of Israel and the wife of Lapidoth. What is it about her character that can speak to our own hearts today as we seek to serve God during one of America's most important and dangerous presidential transitions?

Deborah was married to Lapidoth. Her husband's name in Hebrew means "a torch," or "a man of flames." The prophetic implication is that of the glorified Son of God in John's apocalyptic vision, saying, "… in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;" (Rev. 1:13-15). Deborah stands for the Bride of Christ Himself, the God-man who stands amidst the flames, and she serves as His representative in the world.

Barak - God's Lightening
Barak, in the Hebrew, means "lightening." Though often looked down upon in Christian circles as a weak leader who couldn't even face battle without the "real authority" in the land, he is actually recorded in Hebrews Chapter 11 as one of the heroes of our faith who "through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens" (Heb. 11:32-34).

According to the word of God, Barak's request to have Deborah join him for the battle was born of a living faith and genuine humility, recognizing that this was the only way to accomplish God's will. He, until today, is recorded as a man of faith in his dependency upon Deborah and her God.

Remember
Can the Church in America be such a righteous, strong, prophetically uncompromising Deborah for Barack Obama in the coming days? Could she summon him to battle and call him to rise up as did Deborah of old? Will we be able and willing to serve selflessly and even sacrificially in the day of battle? How can we cloth ourselves with Deborah's garments and arm ourselves with her heart? By asking God, submitting to His word, and living in His Spirit each and every day.

"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time" (1 Tim. 2:1-6). Remember who we are, what we are called to do, and who we are betrothed to; the man of flames who stands in the midst of the lampstands, the true mediator between God and men, Jesus the Messiah the Lord!

Of Planes And Presidents
The Spirit indicates that both President Bush and President-elect Barack Obama's first term in office have been marked with airplane related dramas. In Bush's case, America was violently thrust into a world of terror, devastation and war on 9/11/2001; a hostile and violent period during which time President Bush led the country safely for nearly eight years. In Barack Obama's case, his first term in office has been preceded by another air-related catastrophe as U.S. Airways flight 1549 made an emergency landing last Thursday in the Hudson River.

This air accident, however, has been hailed as miraculous by many in the media, crediting training, skill, character and providence with the saving of the lives of all on board! This was a sign as to how to pass through calamity. Watch and pray, America. God may yet surprise us with His goodness and loving-kindness even during days of peril and distress.

In His grace,

Reuven and Mary Lou Doron
One New Man Call
PO Box 164
Hayfield, MN 55940 USA
(507)438-9096
Ministry Contact: OneNewManMail@aol.com