For Our Times!

Though this world’s governments are far from perfect, their existence and purpose were instituted by God ( Romans 13:1-2) [note also 1 Peter 2:13-15] and praying for our leaders is pleasing to Him. ( 1 Timothy 2:1-3) Christianity has flourished under various types of governments and we need to be careful we do not equate Democracy with Christianity. They are not one and the same. Though I have a great appreciation for much of the freedom we can enjoy here, it is that very freedom which has promoted a lack of STABILITY in some areas of our society. The freedom of democracy providing everyone the opportunity to voice their views and push their own agendas has done a lot to create much of the chaos and sharp division among activists today. And though the freedom of speech is a Constitutional right, we may feel quite often that we as Christians are being told to shut up!

Those of you who are teens, though you are not of voting age may still be aware of some of the issues our country is facing at this time. I am far from being a political activist, but I do have concerns regarding elections next month and items which will be included on the ballot. All candidates running for the varying offices on both state and national levels are imperfect beings with varying personal beliefs. Such makes for somewhat of a muddy mix to try to sort through. Remember all those placed in positions of authority and leadership in this world have limited wisdom. Depending on the elected administration in our own country there is the possibility of dynamic policy changes every four years.

Personally I don’t know what the solution is for economic STABILITY? I don’t know what the key is to getting more people back to work or bringing peace between our nation and those who so strongly oppose us. However, when it comes to the greater issues of life I do know where the STABILITY can come.

Around the time of Hezekiah (king of Judah) we read the following from the prophet Isaiah…
“(5) The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness, (6) and HE WILL BE THE STABILITY OF YOUR TIMES, abundance of SALVATION, WISDOM, and KNOWLEDGE; the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.” ( Isaiah 33:5-6 ESV)

Though I like the phrase, we really are not “one nation under God.” The truth is our country is a nation of people who are living under many diverse ideologies. The only way to bring unity amongst such diversity is for God’s ultimate authority to be acknowledged. But even if others won’t acknowledge it, we can still have STABILITY in our own lives and in our own homes when it is God to Whom we look for our “salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.”
Regardless of the challenges we face, God and His purposes and truth will ultimately prevail. We can count on it! Just as during the above noted period of the kingdom of Judah, for our times God is still the source of our STABILITY.

With God there is no administration change every four years. What He has decreed yesterday is still to be upheld today and is what will be expected tomorrow. It is that consistency of His Will that will bring the greatest STABILITY to our lives regardless of the instability created by mankind around us. Though our whole nation may not be under God, by living our own lives continually under His authority we will receive the praise of God. May our true allegiance to Him be clearly evident in our daily lives.

Have a great day LIVING AS A FAITHFUL CITIZEN OF GOD’S KINGDOM!
Carl

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