My son Rusty, who preaches in Port Charlotte, Florida, summarized Thursday’s Presidential debate as follows:

“You’re a liar!” “No, you’re a liar!”
“I’m the best president in history.” “No, I’m the best president in history.”
“I’m a better golfer than you!” “No, I’m a better golfer than you!”

The debate was embarrassing, sounding like two middle school boys bickering over whose turn to control the remote. How frustrating! This was a debate for the office of the President of the United States of America. Yet, there was no dignity, decorum, sense of statesmanship, or reverence for the daunting task of leading the world’s most powerful and influential country.

When the debate concluded, I was disgusted. There are 350 million people in this country, yet we only get to choose between Joe Biden and Donald Trump? I am just a retired preacher, but after watching the entire debate, I came to several sobering conclusions.

President Joe Biden is obviously too old to continue to lead.

Frankly, I think both Joe Biden and Donald Trump are too old for such a demanding four-year task. I am 80 years old and am thankful I am of fairly sound mind, but I do not have the energy or vision to lead a large church, much less a country! During the debate, Joe Biden, at age 81, demonstrated he has trouble thinking clearly and articulating his thoughts. While he was clearly prepared, it did not take long for him to show he is in cognitive decline. He regularly stumbled over his words and was often incoherent. Although most have seen evidence of Joe Biden’s cognitive decline for the past few years, only now are some in the Democratic party pushing for an alternative candidate. Yet the list of potential replacements doesn’t excite most Americans either. Regardless, while there is still time for President Biden to finish his career with dignity, family and friends who care about the President should advise him to step aside. King Solomon wisely stated, “there is… a time to give up” (Ecclesiastes 3:6), and for President Biden to maintain some level of respectability and stateliness, it’s time to resign.

Former President Donald Trump is too egotistical and divisive to rally and unite our country.

There is an old saying, “Those who toot their own horn invariably get the tune too high.” Donald Trump could not stop boasting about his presidential accomplishments throughout the debate. That is so off-putting to me. His exaggerations and inflated view of his own importance were obnoxious. The Bible tells us, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6 ESV). Most people are opposed to self-absorbed egotists, which is why at least half the country detests Donald Trump.

Even though Trump is crude and vulgar, I have good friends who believe God will use him to clean up Washington’s corruption. While Trump may support policies that align more with Christian values than the alternatives, I seriously doubt he is called by God for such a time as this. Our country needs a strong, humble leader who unites us because a “house divided against itself shall not stand” (Matthew 12:25).

The United States is like a sheep without a shepherd.

Jesus felt compassion for the crowds that came to Him, seeing them as “…harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). That is a good description of the United States of America right now. We are floundering about in a national malaise. We are so hopelessly divided and hateful toward one another that only a miracle from God can prevent a disaster.

Our country is under God’s judgment.

When the nation of Israel rebelled against God, they were eventually judged either by severe famine, foreign adversaries, or incompetent, evil leaders. The Lord allowed them to reap the consequences of their spiritual apostasy, and the result was disaster.

“The end is now upon you, and I will unleash my anger against you. I will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your detestable practices. I will not look on you with pity; I will not spare you. I will surely repay you for your conduct and for the detestable practices among you” (Ezekiel 7:3-4).

America’s founding fathers were imperfect, but they established a country built on the premise that we are accountable to our Creator. But in the past few decades, our country has expelled God and embraced a totally secular worldview. Our political leaders are currently demanding the right to kill unborn babies up to the moment of birth and endorsing transition surgery for twelve-year-old girls. “Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:22).

Our only hope is national repentance and to beg God for a miracle, and that starts with the church.

No politician can save America. We need a dramatic intervention from God, who promised, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV).

Notice the directive is given to “my people.” Repentance must begin in the church. The New Testament warns, “For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17).

Pastors and church leaders must repent of living duplicitous lives and compromising Biblical truth. We must fall on our knees and pray with David, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with thy free spirit” (Psalm 51:10-12 KJV).

Between now and November, church leaders would do well to lead their congregations in a service of genuine lament and call all believers to cry out to God for His mercy and grace on us as a nation.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn, and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:7-10).