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"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34 NIV

Sunday, November 6, 2016

A Difficult but Necessary Choice

This week we have a choice to make. No, it's not whether we vote or refrain. It's not even who we vote for. Our choice is to live fearful of the future or to stand firm in faith in the God who is bigger than the individual ruling this country.

It's easy to get swept away in the tide of opinions and fear coming from all parties involved. "This election, more than any other, will determine the direction of our country," they say. We hear arguments all around: blaming, begging, and belittling. Worry casts a shadow on each face as they discuss the pertinent issues. Don't get me wrong, the candidates and what they stand for are very important, but we are thinking too small.

We are focusing on who will lead our country, not on who will guide our nation with a loving but firm hand. No matter who lays their head to rest each night on that expensive White House pillow, we cannot forget that God never slumbers. He establishes kingdoms and causes them to crumble. The outcome of this election will not shock Him.

Will a Godly candidate lead us boldly over the next four years? Highly unlikely. Could God soften the President's heart and lead him or her into choices that will honor Him? Absolutely. Will He? Time will tell. More likely is that our country will continue to deny the one whom this nation was established upon. We will reap the consequences of shutting Him out of our government, schools, and lives. It will be hard. Christ followers will continue to be the minority, standing boldly against a growing darkness.

But if more darkness seeps in, it is because the light of the world has allowed it - for a time. Let us not think He has lost control. He wins in the end! Victory goes to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who conquered death, sin, and our enemy (who sets himself up to have more power than he really does.) Sometimes it has to get a lot darker before we collectively call for more light. Sometimes we have to be brought to a place of needing Him daily before we admit that we do.

The easy reaction to uncertainty is worry. It's scary to think about what may be at the bottom of this roll downhill and how it will effect future generations. The wise but often difficult reaction is choosing to stand firm in faith. Commit to praying for our President often. Get involved in our government. Care deeply about issues that are near and dear to God's heart. And as often as you can, tell others why you continue to have hope. Boldly declare, "Thy Will be Done!" and stand in wonder as He crafts His plan, ushering us closer to eternity.

Why the big noise, nations?
Why the mean plots, peoples?
Earth-leaders push for position,
Demagogues and delegates meet for summit talks,
The God-deniers, the Messiah-defiers:
“Let’s get free of God!
Cast loose from Messiah!”
 

Heaven-throned God breaks out laughing.
At first he’s amused at their presumption;
Then he gets good and angry.
Furiously, he shuts them up:
“Don’t you know there’s a King in Zion? 

A coronation banquet
Is spread for him on the holy summit.”


So, rebel-kings, use your heads;
Upstart-judges, learn your lesson:
Worship God in adoring embrace,
Celebrate in trembling awe. Kiss Messiah!
Your very lives are in danger, you know;
His anger is about to explode,
But if you make a run for God—you won’t regret it!
(Psalm 2:1-6, 10-12 MSG)

Almighty, bring this nation to it's knees in humility and worship of you. It is going to be hard to have faith that this will work out for our good, but give us strength to hold our heads high and resist the temptation to worry. We are on the winning side and no amount of darkness can take us out of your hands. Amen.