As Greece self-destructs, Spain, Italy, and Portugal wait in the wings. How can the European Union contain this financial tidal wave? Should these countries default on their mounting, unpayable debt? Should they return to their former national currencies? Should they leave their federation of nations?
From the depths of ruin, great leaders often rise. Often this kind of desperate environment offers fertile ground for tyrants to seize power. Their scheme uses tyranny and treachery to exact freedom in exchange for protection. (Does this sound a bit like the line used to justify the TSA?) The Bible predicts a future world tyrant who will make the bad guys of history look like patsies.
But difficult times have also produced great leaders of integrity. Consider Esther. The Bible describes her as a woman who risked her life to save her Jewish people from destruction. Her deeds set her apart as a woman of great courage and godliness. To see this in context, take a look at the source verse for the title of this article:
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, [then] shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for [such] a time as this? (Esther 4:14)
Of course, when we consider great leaders in times of crises we cannot forget our most beloved president, Abraham Lincoln. His unwavering resolve, strong faith, and political skill enabled him to preserve the union, free the slaves, and bring an end the bloody and devastating American Civil War. If we only had another Abraham Lincoln to save the European Union.
You may recall, the election of Lincoln served as the catalyst for the southern states to secede from the United States. You can read the truth about old Honest Abe here. If Lincoln had his way in Europe, he would assure that the southern states of Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Spain not pull out of the union. Whatever the cost—whether life, liberty, or property he would preserve the union.
These striking parallels give reason for pause and reflection, but unlike the countries of southern Europe, the South of 1860 prospered and actually aided the North as a result of egregious tax laws. The South wished only to live and work and peace, but Lincoln had other ideas. Lincoln’s cruel war of Northern aggression and the retribution that followed punished the South for decades.
So there you have it. The idea that these states will walk away from the European Union without a fight—whether economic, political, or even military—will face strong resistance from those in power bent on enslaving entire nations. Indeed, as recently as yesterday news reports spoke of punishing these southern European nation states. Perhaps a Lincoln or an even greater than Lincoln will emerge for such a time as this.