These days we are awash in reasons to fret
We're drowning in words. And rumors and what-ifs. And oh yes, an occasional fact.
It's time to remind ourselves--and each other--this isn't the first election season teeming with disagreements and warnings and it likely won't be the last.
As always before, we know one thing for sure.
In every time, through every situation, God is with us.
Truth to count on
Whatever happens--or doesn't happen--none of it surprises God, no matter how twisted and tortured things may look to us.
And nothing is beyond His control.
Voters in our Nation have disagreed before. Every single time, no matter who won, the U.S.A. endured.
Every single time each of the states in the U.S.A. survived.
That's been true since 1776. Have we in the 21st century become so weak as a people that we fall apart when things don't go our way?
I don't believe that for a minute. Do you?
What really counts
This is still our Father's world, so we can be at peace, whatever comes.
Even if it seems we'll remember 2020 as the year of one catastrophe after another.
Even when we're weary of political charges and counter-charges and we fear for the future of our country.
Even though we're sick of social distancing and face masks and handwashing and ache to get back to normal--and then speculate on what "normal" might look like if we ever get there.
Every moment of every day this Truth endures:
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
What a visual picture that last line gives us:
God rejoicing over his people--over us--with loud singing!
Trying times have been around forever
The Apostle Paul penned his letter to Roman believers who lived in a pagan society when Nero ruled.
Imagine reading these words:
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Romans 13:1
They were called to respect authority because God allowed those individuals to be in positions of authority.
Those timeless truths are for us, too. It matters not whether we agree or disagree with our "governing authorities."
How are we to find peace?
There's only one way:
Cast all your anxieties on him [God,] because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
The literal meaning of the Greek is to throw all one's load on a beast of burden and be freed from the weight of it.
Here's the hitch: We can't be free of the weight unless we're willing to let go of it.
What trips us up
Like little children we want to know what's ahead and how it will all turn out, but you and I can only see today.
Chuck Swindoll compares it to watching a parade through a knothole in a fence. We see only what's in front of us.
God, however, views the entire parade from beginning to end. Indeed, our all-knowing God sees and knows all of time from before the beginning until after the end.
And he works through human beings, both the good and the flawed. (Just read the Old Testament.)
We can be at peace, knowing that God always accomplishes his purposes.
Our call as God's people
Whatever our opinion may be of our elected officials, God has more to say to us:
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. 1 Timothy 2:1-3 ESV
No matter who they are or what position they hold, whether we voted for them or not, we are to pray for them. Pray they make wise decisions and govern with integrity, even if they don't believe in God.
Pray.
We're to pray for leaders in our church, our schools and our community, as well. They all need our prayers--and so do their families--not just today, but every day.
They are human beings, with the same human limitations as you and I.
Peace? Hope? In these times?
The future--all of it--is in the hands of our gracious Father, who loves us with an everlasting love. That's why it's safe to rest our hearts in these promises:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 ESV
Not to worry. God cares for us. In every time. In every situation.
Keep praying,
Lenore
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