Power, Providence, and the Paradox of Independence
- Raymond Melendez
- Jul 1
- 4 min read
As nations like Nepal, Sudan, and Burkina Faso grapple with shifting structures of authority—whether through sentimental monarchism, militia-led governance, or military populism—we see a world wrestling with the nature of power and stability. In contrast to the world’s embrace of self-sufficiency and nationalist independence, the Holy Scriptures in Isaiah 44 and 2 Nephi 9 reveal a deeper truth: independence is born from dependence on God's authority. Just as political systems experiment with new (and old) models of control, individuals and societies must consider the source of its strength. Whether it’s a nation searching for direction or a soul seeking purpose, stability comes from trust in God—the only unshakable foundation.
Crowning Dependence: Nepal’s Monarchy Revival
As Nepal witnesses a groundswell of support for restoring its Hindu monarchy—a movement fueled by disillusionment with democratic instability—the deeper desire for order, identity, and dependable leadership comes into focus (Hutt 107). Protestors seek a return to what they view as a more stable and unified past under the Shah Kings. Yet, the political longing for a singular, sovereign power mirrors a truth taught in Isaiah 44: that lasting security and provision come from God alone. Just as Isaiah rebukes idol-making and calls Israel to remember their Creator and Sustainer, so too must societies discern where their trust lies.
“Beside me there is no God” (Isaiah 44).
In a world full of shifting systems and uncertain rule, Isaiah reminds us that God invites all nations and people to put their trust in God.
Sudan’s Parallel State and the Example of Christ
As Sudan fractures under the weight of competing governments, with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) establishing a parallel regime that defies national unity, the global consequences of self-asserted power come sharply into focus. The RSF’s attempt to legitimize its authority through separate systems, services, and symbols of statehood reflects a broader pattern—seeking control and autonomy apart from rightful order (de Waal 195). In stark contrast, the life of Jesus Christ offers a radically different model of power: one rooted not in self-sufficiency, but in total submission to the will of the Heavenly Father. Christ declared, “I can of mine own self do nothing” (John 5:30), teaching that authority flows not from independence, but from dependence. As Sudan teeters on the edge of prolonged division, its crisis invites reflection on the cost of a fractured will.
Power, Provision, and the Illusion of Self-Reliance
Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s rise in Burkina Faso, framed by anti-imperialist rhetoric and a push for national self-reliance, reflects a growing trend of rejecting foreign dependency in favor of regional solidarity and internal control. His popularity—especially among youth—stems from a narrative of strength, autonomy, and Pan-African pride (Hagberg and Körling 78). Yet beneath the surface of this political self-sufficiency lies a deeper truth, powerfully expressed in 2 Nephi: that sustenance, whether for a nation or a soul, cannot be earned or secured through human effort alone.
“Come buy… without money and without price” (2 Nephi 9:50).
It reminds us that salvation and lasting provision are the fruits of God's grace. While Traoré's government champions self-reliance in the temporal realm, the Holy Scriptures teach that all lasting security—physical or spiritual—comes from recognizing our complete dependence on God.
Unstable Thrones and Unshakable Truth
From the streets of Kathmandu to the contested territories of Sudan and the revolutionary fervor of Burkina Faso, a global restlessness is unfolding. Citizens disillusioned with broken systems are turning to monarchs, militias, and military rulers in search of stability and independence. These unconventional movements reflect a broader impulse—to find strength in alternative powers when familiar systems fail. Yet, the Holy Scriptures in Isaiah 44 and 2 Nephi 9 challenge this very instinct. They declare that independence is not found in crowns, commands, or control, but in absolute dependence on God.
Isaiah warns of the confusion that follows when we trust in the “work of our own hands,” and Jacob decries the “wisdom of the world” that leads to destruction. They both testify that trusting in God leads to freedom—freedom from sin, from fear, and from the unstable powers of the world. Jesus Christ modeled this paradox of independence: through complete submission to God, he wielded perfect power. As nations seek salvation through political reinvention, the gospel reminds us that enduring independence comes only through trust in God. In a world chasing new saviors, the invitation remains: “Come unto the Holy One of Israel... and ye shall live” (Isaiah 55:3).
It's time to restore America's independence.
Works Cited
de Waal, Alex. The Real Politics of the Horn of Africa: Money, War, and the Business of Power. Polity Press, 2015.
Hagberg, Sten, and Gabriella Körling. “Politics of Belonging, Authority, and Civil Society in Burkina Faso.” Africa Spectrum, vol. 47, no. 1, 2012, pp. 71–84. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/.
Hutt, Michael. Nepal: A Guide to the Politics of the Post-1990 Transition. Zed Books, 2004.
