How, you ask? Well it is quite simply because I believe in The One who has ordained this day. I have chosen a future with the Victorious, most Glorious, Yahweh. Come what may.
At BSF this morning, the teaching leader gave us two Bible verses. BSF is very apolitical, which I totally respect by not talking politics while there. But she had to point out that the changes which America is in store for are not without precedent. Indeed, Israel on her exodus experienced regime change, freedom from slavery, thirst and hunger issues, and terror. Thankfully, God went before them in a pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. God will not leave us, either.
Two passages from the Bible for you. (Whether you are for Obama or McCain.)
"No king is saved by the size of his army: no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; depite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.I was convicted by two things this morning with these passages.
We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you." Psalm 33:16-22 (emphasis mine)
"The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men." Daniel 4:17
1. Political obsession can be a form of idolatry. Ouch, I know. Hello? Do you know how many political commentators and news sites I read? Listen to? Yeah, anything that gets between me and God is an idol. And yep, politics falls right in there.
2. I rely on God, not government. And I will not complain should Obama win. Complaining tells God that He is undesirable or unworthy, and his path is not good enough. (Those who remember my posts about potty-training know I have a hard time not complaining!)
And since I believe that God has chosen the right person for HIS WILL at THIS TIME I can be content. I know that God will be glorified through my praises of Him and my actions for Him. Anything else is futile.
However, I should say that I don't intend to give up my conservative stance, nor will I be quiet about it. But I will not complain. And I will not quarrel with God. (At least, I'll do my best...)
But I believe God has called me to take a stand for freedom. Freedom for all people, freedom from coercion and freedom to live a life of liberty. On that I will not be silent.
4 comments:
Amen!!! Great post! Thanks for sharing. It's exactly what I needed to hear right now. :)
During our Bible study last night, someone reminded us that if God had been able to find just 10 righteous people in Sodom, he wouldn't have destroyed it. So I'm optimistic that even though it might seem like our country is going to you-know-where in a you-know-what, there might still be hope! I'm pretty sure there might be about 10 righteous people here somewhere :)
Jessie, this was an email from our Pastor here in Texas. Thought you and your readers might enjoy it.
THE VILLAGE CHURCH
November 2008 | Issue #19
Good Morning,
I stayed up late Tuesday night to hear President-elect Barack Obama
speak to the 225,000 or so people who gathered in Chicago's Grant
Park. My mind floated to two different texts as he spoke. The first
was 1 Peter 2:13-16, which says, "Be subject for the Lord's sake to
every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or
to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise
those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you
should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people
who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but
living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear
God. Honor the emperor." The other text was 1 Timothy 2:1-4: "First
of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and
thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in
high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and
dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight
of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to
the knowledge of the truth." I don't know if the election went the way
you wanted it to go but the commands of scripture moving forward are
simple. Pray for Barack Obama and our government, and be servants of
the living God.
For the joy of all people,
Matt Chandler
Lead Pastor
We're excited that you are interested in The Village Church. Our
deepest desire is to bring glory to God through lives changed by the
powerful gospel of Jesus Christ.
I forgot to tell you earlier that I cut and paste this post into an email and shared your encouragement with nearly everyone on my email list! ;)
Some people just need to hear that our God sits on the thrown and doesn't need to be "elected" and nothing...not even Obama...can surprise Him! :)
Thanks for posting this!
Becky
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