The Fallen Mighty

The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen! Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. 2 Samuel 1:19,20

Perhaps like me, you watched the bitter and acrimonious exchanges between the best candidates for the highest post in the world, the presidency of the United States of America. As I watched, I couldn’t help but think of the Scripture verse quoted because the situation is just the same. The Bible also warns us that “The heart is deceitful above all things” Jeremiah 17:9, and this is another fine example of deceit at its best (or maybe that should be ‘worst’).

I have witnessed playground disagreements carried out in a better way, and not by trading insult upon insult, which reduces a 90 minute debate to a 20 minute display of questionable factual information. For my part, I can only hope and pray that the ‘Commander in Chief’ of the USA is not Donald Trump. I have never seen anyone at such a high level behave so badly, where everything he has done and said is denied, even in the face of clear evidence.

Please do not misunderstand me, all political candidates will avoid the whole truth, and only give you the part that shows them up in a good light, but I was struck by the petty, repetitive, childish, inconsiderate, misleading rhetoric pushed on an audience who deserve better. I will go one step further, if the electorate vote for Trump as President, they deserve each other and the world will watch with fear. In our verse, David was embarrassed and lamented over Saul and Jonathan. He didn’t want his nation’s enemies to gloat over this great fall and failing. How much more should America mourn the passing of their greatness in the eyes of God and their friends!

How Are The Mighty Fallen!

What a change between the talk of the media and the supporters before the England v Germany World Cup, and the end! From world beaters to a well beaten third rate performance, with goals to confirm Germany's dominance, or to put it another way, England's dreadful football.


It's not the play on the field that gets to me, it's the attitude of the English media and supporters. Just a short time ago, they were booking their place in the final! Now, they will be lucky to get to the plane home without being lynched verbally, emotionally and almost literally. What a sorry lot they are.


If pride goes before a fall, then I suppose arrogance goes before a nose dive! Was it just me, or did the whole England band wagon say too much too soon? Did they maybe talk too much before their brains were in gear? I do not support the ABE (Anyone But England) camp, but I can see why England's attitude does them no favours, and grates on any other UK nation's nerves as they push their invincibility on us, and the rest of the world. For me, I welcome their defeat. In the name of all that is sportsmanlike, they did not deserve to win. Their performance on the field of play is one thing, but their attitude off the field needs to be given a knock, and who better to do that, than the German team?


The only down side is that they will now revert to their old chant of '1966' and that is bad. Mind you, it could have been worse. They might have got further in the competition, so for that reason, I am glad they are out. That kind of human nature does not deserve to be rewarded! Maybe it's a kind of natural justice after all! Yes, 'how are the mighty fallen', and fallen badly. The following verses from that quote, continue (paraphrased) as 'sshhhh don't tell anybody about it!!' How appropriate.... Let the recriminations begin!