OPINION:
There’s a running theme about Donald Trump that goes like this: He hasn’t a chance; his time is through; he’s his own worst enemy; it’s time for the GOP to move on; he’s a good leader — except for his social media feed. He’d be a solid candidate — if only he’d stop talking about stolen elections. And so forth. And so on. And so forth.
Then there’s another theme Trump himself brings to the table that goes like this: Bite me.
And guess which side has been proven right time and time again?
That’s right. Trump.
The naysayers would say otherwise. But that’s what naysayers, by definition, do. And today’s Trump naysayers are yesterday’s King David naysayers. The same people who said Trump — a businessman with zero experience in politics — could never become president are the same people who, hundreds of years ago, laughed at the sheepherder David for daring to take on Goliath then snickered and chuckled at the idea of this littlest of eight sons of Jesse becoming the anointed replacement for the great and mighty Saul.
Trump won.
David is still remembered as one of Israel’s finest kings — even after he committed adultery. Even after he plotted the death of the husband of his target of lust. Even after he disobeyed God with an unholy census.
But in his day, in his time, no doubt, David faced his share of catty critics.
No doubt, plenty of David’s people gathered ‘round the water wells and gossiped about his sinful behavior, his small physical demeanor, his this and that and his that and this, all the while wishing for a better king, a better leader, a more dignified king and leader who perhaps didn’t dance so openly in the streets.
But God regarded David as a friend and used him mightily during his time on earth.
The God of David is the same God of today. The God who used David for his divine purposes is the God who can use Trump for his divine purposes. Dismissing Trump’s political run today is as foolhardy as dismissing David as king in yester-year.
Moreover, there are more, many more such examples of God using what humans scoff.
Imagine what naysayers of biblical times must have thought of Solomon — and his hundreds of “wives.” Think about the tsk-tsking toward Daniel, after he continued to pray openly in the face of the command from King Darius for his people to abstain from God and petition only the throne for a period of 30 days. Plenty must have wondered, ‘why Daniel — why couldn’t you just pray in your own mind so nobody noticed?’ Picture the whisperings that must have followed Rahab the prostitute as she dared to make a new life for herself after hiding the two spies sent by Joshua, and in so doing, avoiding death. How the finer of society must have raised their brows. But that’s God for ya. He chooses; he’s sovereign. Solomon was blessed by God with wisdom and riches. Daniel was blessed by God with position and rescue from hungry lions. Rahab was blessed by God with a marriage that brought her in direct lineage to Jesus.
The Bible is filled with even more stories of sin-filled losers and castaways being taken to great heights of power and influence and significance. But the main takeaway is this: God uses whomever he chooses — and God delights in using those whom others easily dismiss.
Now think Trump.
Now consider remarks like this, from Chris Christie, former New Jersey governor, on Trump: “I can’t help him. No way. When you have the Jan. 6 choir at a rally and you show video of it — I just don’t think that person is appropriate for the presidency.”
Now consider headlines like this, from The New York Times: “For Some G.O.P. Voters, Fatigue Slows the Rush to Defend Trump. The Republicans who will pick their 2024 nominee expressed anger, defensiveness and also embarrassment about the indictment facing Donald J. Trump.”
Once again, Trump is facing naysayers and never-trumpers. Once more, Trump is being talked about as the guy who need not apply.
When Trump ran in 2016, he was mocked, derided, scorned, name-called and blasted — by both Democrats and Republicans alike. And he won the White House. When Trump presided, he was investigated, threatened, spied upon and slandered, falsely accused, reviled, cursed and condemned — by both Democrats and Republicans alike. And all the Russia collusion charges, all the allegations, were shown as fabricated and false. When Trump announced another run this year, he was indicted, charged, accused, attacked, mocked, denounced and dismissed — by both Democrats and Republicans alike. And wait for it, wait for it. The indictments and charges are about as hefty as cotton candy in a toddler’s mouth. In seconds, they’ll disappear. The voters know it, too.
“Trump surges to 13-point lead over DeSantis,” The Hill wrote, in a most recent poll.
“Trump’s post-indictment GOP rallying effect is real,” The Washington Post wrote in a most recent headline.
Political opportunists, globalists, leftists and anti-American forces may want it believed that this is the end of Trump — that he cannot win — that MAGA was a flight of fancy that has no foundation in modern times. But this is not for Trump Derangement Syndrome sufferers to decide.
Think of Rahab — think of David.
Mocking and dismissing Trump is just not that smart a move.
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley. Listen to her podcast “Bold and Blunt” by clicking HERE. And never miss her column; subscribe to her newsletter and podcast by clicking HERE. Her latest book, “Lockdown: The Socialist Plan To Take Away Your Freedom,” is available by clicking HERE or clicking HERE or CLICKING HERE.
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