The office of President of the United States is one that should be honored and respected. How do you honor someone, though, who is dishonorable?
Lyndon B. Johnson, typically known as LBJ, served as the 36th President of the United States, was sworn into office in 1963 after the assassination of John F. Kennedy. The Democrat from Texas had several achievements to his credit, depending on which side of the aisle you belong, that were identified as positives to his presidency.
- He served as a Commander in the U.S. Navy, receiving the Silver Star, the American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal;
- He was one of only three presidents who served in all four federally elected positions;
- LBJ promoted what he called The Great Society in America;
- He championed civil rights and The Voting Rights Act;
- He is credited with founding Head Start programs;
- He signed the Social Security Amendments Acts of 1965 which resulted in the creation of Medicare and Medicaid.
On a personal level, though, LBJ was a vulgar jerk as a human being. My apologies for what you are about to read. I’ve toned it down significantly.
- He once exposed himself to reporters who were asking questions he didn’t like;
- Another time he made a White House staffer come work in the bathroom while Johnson was using it;
- He also carried out multiple affairs, with his wife wise to his ways, the most notable with Alice Marsh who helped Johnson advance in his political career;
- He would play cruel practical jokes on people.1, 2
One such joke involved Johnson’s amphicar. At his Texas ranch, Johnson enjoyed taking guests for a ride in the car, sometimes careening down a hill as if the car’s brakes had failed and plunging them into the water. Thinking they were going to drown, many passengers panicked, tried to get away or jump into the water to swim to shore. One woman was seriously injured as she tried to escape yet couldn’t swim. You would think this would have gotten the president to straighten up and clean up his act. However, this was just viewed as a humorous result of the joke and the person was blamed for their reaction.
Now, this brings up a serious question. How do you honor the office when the person holding it is dishonorable? Bringing this to a tangible level, some who read this may have had parents who were anything but honorable. Yet, you are faced with a verse like Exodus 20:12 which says, “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” This is repeated in the New Testament.
Peter makes this even harder when he writes 1 Peter 2:17. “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” How in the world do we do this?!? It’s a question many have wrestled with through the years. Here are some suggestions:
Don’t speak ill of them. It would be so easy to speak disparagingly of them to others. We wouldn’t be lying if we did! But, Titus 3:1-2a says, “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, (2) To speak evil of no man…” Though the parent – or President – has done dishonorable things, we show them honor by not ripping them apart, wishing harsh judgment and consequences upon them.
Don’t retaliate against them. This is vengeance, something Romans says belongs to God. Does that mean that we linger and take their abuse? Absolutely not! Pull yourself out of the abusive situation. Get to a safe place, whether that be physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. Just remember that you cannot Scripturally go on the offensive and attack, retaliating against them.
Don’t stop praying for them and loving them. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 says, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (2) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; (4) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” Verse four seems to indicate the character of the people discussed in verses one through three. They are lost individuals who do what only comes natural to the lost.
In order to pray and love the dishonorable people in our lives, we must keep our own hearts pure and right with God. We must stay tender and focused on obedience to the Lord’s commands.
This was an easy devotional to write. The difficulty comes in the practice. Let the work begin!
1https://www.grunge.com/1216915/the-quirkiest-hobbies-and-habits-of-american-presidents/
2https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyndon_B._Johnson#Notes
