Drain the Swamp by David Herbertson, June 26, 2017

I hear this term “Drain the Swamp” frequently in the political news. But what does it mean? We can all agree that swamps are part of our eco-system and are necessary for our planet to survive. Creatures like snakes and alligators and rats live there, but also beautiful birds and tortoises and other animals that make up this habitat.

When we hear the term today it is referring to humans that are part of our government not animals. Some may indeed be like creatures living in a swamp but they all have one thing in common. They were all created by the same God that created you and me. They all have hearts and minds that are capable of change and finding a deep personal relationship with their creator.

I believe that our Government is too big and too intrusive and needs to be downsized. Our freedoms are being taken away and the swamp of corruption needs to be changed.

I would much rather see those individuals have an awakening in their spirits and change the swamp into a place where truth and purpose resides rather than lies and deception and corruption.

But how can this take place in America today? Through prayer. Through a movement of God in our nation. But how can that take place when so many have hardened their hearts against Christianity in America? God knows how to do this.

Perhaps it will only take one or a few brave individuals in the Belly of the Beast to look into a mirror and recognize the real condition of their hearts. (James 1:22-25) Then with a new resolve to stand up and tell the nation and the world that they will no longer live the lie that has dominated them and robbed them of peace and purpose. When one person finds courage to speak truth others will follow.

These hard-working government employees are not our enemies. The one who has blinded them to the truth of God is the one responsible for the moral and cultural collapse taking place in America. “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood…” Ephesians 6:12

I recall in my own life a time when the large corporation that I worked for hired a new General Manager. He came to our Corporate office in Baton Rouge with a plan to “Drain the Swamp” in his eyes. He almost immediately began firing or transferring individuals that were part of the Corporate staff. We were all angry and hurt by his arbitrary moves that seemed to be unfair in our eyes. We grumbled and called him all kinds of names behind his back. I was doing the same even at home at the family dinner table.

One evening I began to pray for the new General Manager. The next morning, I arrived early and boldly walked into his office. I told him that I wanted to apologize for my bad attitude. I told him that I was praying for him. I told him that if my position was not needed in his plans for our division that I would start looking for a new job. I think he was amazed at what I said. He told me to sit down and asked me some questions about my work and became my biggest supporter after this single meeting.

Is it possible that some that are entrenched within our corrupt government could start a movement back toward a government that can be trusted again? God knows the answer.

There is a poem that I like called “The Man in The Glass”. It is my prayer that all of us will respond to the truth of these words and that we will have the courage to step up and proclaim the truth. It may only take one from within the “Belly of the Beast” to break out against the establishment that has nearly destroyed our land. Job 22:23 “If you return to the almighty, you will be restored; if you remove unrighteousness far from your tent.” God would like to restore the swamp instead of draining it.

The Man in the Glass

When you get what you want in your struggle for self

And the world makes you king for a day

Just go to the mirror and look at yourself

And see what that man has to say

For it isn’t your father or mother or wife

Whose judgement upon you must pass

The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life

Is the one looking back from the glass

He’s the fellow to please – never mind all the rest

For he’s with you clear to the end

And you’ve passed your most difficult, dangerous test