By KELLY TSHIBAKA
The attempted assassination on President Donald J. Trump last Saturday was clearly part of a plan to get him out of the presidential race. People on both sides of the political aisle are calling for a thorough investigation into the shooting.
Of course, the assassination attempt has shaken countless Americans, leading many to ask questions such as “Was it God’s plan for Trump to get shot?” “Why didn’t God stop the shooter?” “Is this a sign from God on who to vote for?”
Kelly Tshibaka addressed these questions in a sermon at Unite Church in Anchorage one day after the shooting, using the Bible as the foundation for her answers.
“God’s plans are always redemptive,” Tshibaka stated. “The thief…comes only to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and live it to the full,” she said, quoting John 10:10.
“So, is God up there saying for those people who might not like Trump, ‘Kill him’? No. Would God say ‘Kill Biden’? No.” Tshibaka declared.
If God doesn’t want people killed and death is not part of his plan, then why didn’t He prevent the shooting? Tshibaka had an answer for that as well.
“Though God could impose His will on everyone, He could not do so without stealing our own will away from us…God wants a relationship, an equal relationship with us where we are sons and daughters. It’s a choice. So, if He takes that choice away from us, if He just stops the shooter … then He also takes away the choice to love. You can’t take one without taking the other.”
Finally, Tshibaka addressed whether or not Trump’s survival should be considered an endorsement from God. While she admitted that the shooter missing Trump is an undeniable miracle, she warns against the danger of basing one’s theology on circumstance rather than in the Bible. “Otherwise, you will put God in your image instead of letting God shape you in His image”, she explained.
She emphasized the importance the Bible places on civic duty, and the authority God entrusted to people by explaining the application of the prophecy about Jesus, “the government will rest on His shoulders.” (Isaiah 9:6)
Tshibaka concluded with 1 Timothy 2:1-2, which tells us to pray for all those in authority, and told the congregation to love one another despite differing political stances.
“It pleases God to pray for our presidents. It literally says that in the Bible…it’s our job to sustain [our leaders] in prayer,” she said.
Pray for your leaders, your opponents, and your presidents. God transcends politics, and we must lead by His example.
You can view Kelly’s full sermon here.
Kelly Tshibaka is the host of the podcast, TV, and radio show STAND, and the 2022 Alaska Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. She co-hosts the show with her husband, Niki Tshibaka. She is also the chair of Trump’s 2024 campaign in Alaska.