In one of the most embarrassing and humiliating scenes in American history, the Taliban spent Wednesday parading around Afghanistan in American military vehicles and brandishing American weaponry while American Blackhawk helicopters circled overhead…under the control of the Taliban. (See pictures of it and read more here.)

The Biden administration could not have bungled this operation more horribly. American soldiers were killed, American citizens were left stranded in Afghanistan (some now fleeing and fighting for their lives), American equipment was given to our enemies, and American military superiority took a shot to the chops. While our soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen remain the most incredible fighting force on the planet, military leadership all the way up to Commander-in-Chief have proven to be total failures. This debacle is not the result of our military, but of Joe Biden, Antony Blinken (Secretary of State), Lloyd Austin (Secretary of Defense), Mark Milley (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – #1 military advisor), and Jake Sullivan (National Security Advisor).

So, as believers and followers of Jesus Christ, how are we to respond? Here is some Biblical guidance:

First, we are to pray for our leaders. (1 Timothy 2:1-2) If we find that difficult, why? Do we wish bad upon our leaders? If so, we must repent of our own sin! According to that passage, we are to pray so that our leaders will lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. What hope is there, if not the Lord? Our leaders need Jesus! Let’s pray appropriately for them!

Secondly, we are called to live in righteousness, even if our leaders lead in a different direction. By all means, we must take a stand for righteousness and against evil. Let’s speak truth with boldness, let’s be about our Father’s business with courage, and let’s focus on what we can do to better our nation rather than tear down our leaders. They will fall on their own…they don’t need our help.

Thirdly, remember that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12) Such a battle requires armor, as described in Ephesians 6: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, sandals which are the gospel of peace, the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation. Most of all, use the only offensive weapon God has given us: the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God! We are in a battle. Our earthly Commander-in-Chief may have failed, but our Heavenly Commander-in-Chief will never fail! The battle is won only if we fight according to His battle plan.

Fourthly, be confident of the soon return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! We know how the story ends!

⁷ “And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. …¹² “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves. ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” …²⁰ He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

~Revelation 22:7, 12-13, 20