People Groan When Wicked Rule

Psalm 29:1-6 KJV

He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, 

 will suddenly be broken beyond healing.

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,

but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,

but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

By justice a king builds up the land,

but he who exacts gifts tears it down.

A man who flatters his neighbor

spreads a net for his feet.

An evil man is ensnared in his transgression,

but a righteous man sings and rejoices.

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I have been grieving with a great portion of the world this last week. Sadly, not everyone grieves. There are way too many rejoicing over the fact that we left Afghanistan without showing any concern for the  endangered civilians that were left behind. Over the last few months I have seen and heard organizations working hard to get them out; but, a lot of governmental red tape was hindering them. Then comes the choice to withdraw the military before the endangered civilians of various countries were removed. 

Indeed, I was astounded when a previous president decided he needed to increase our forces there by great numbers. Even then I could see a not so good outcome. But, I never imagined that the outcome would be as horrific as it has become these past weeks. 

How can anyone pretend that they are righteous? How can anyone think that they are great when they have left so many vulnerable civilians to the devices of those who would destroy them? 

I have a feeling that I and most of the world will be grieving over this for a long time to come.

Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

President Trump; The Energizer President

Whatever may come, we now have a very non-low energy

president.

He gives strength to the weary 
   and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV

Yesterday, was a very tiring day for me. I was exhausted and fell asleep on the living room floor by 6:30 pm as I watched the presidential inauguration activities on television. I had skipped through my quiet time with the Lord in the morning because of my schedule which was probably the reason for my weariness. I woke up this morning thinking about our new president. President Donald Trump, who has at least ten years on me, did not appear to be weary by the time I was falling asleep last night and he still had many hours to go. I smiled to myself. President Trump is like the Energizer Bunny. He just keeps going and going. On top of all of his other attributes; I think God just may have a sense of humor.

Although I am not always too thrilled about the way he has always expressed himself in the past; but, because I trust God, I trust that President Trump has genuine hope for this country and for all of the people of this country. He began his inauguration day (as all; but, one president did since F.D. Roosevelt) by worshipping God. Maybe that was the secret of him being able to get through yesterday with so much energy.

I had laughed when he actually decided to run for president. I thought he was just throwing in the hat for something to entertain himself with. I am still smiling. I definitely would have preferred a much more gentle-spoken man for the position of leader in this country and was disheartened when my preferred candidate dropped out of the race. In the end, I must confess that I do not know the plans that God has for this country. But, I do believe that whatever they are; they are plans for the good. (Rom 8:28) 

Not everyone is going to appreciate President Trump. I have not always appreciated all of our former presidents, either. When Ronald Reagan became president, I grieved. I could not imagine an actor making a good president. But, while ranting and raving about it I heard from the Lord: "You don't have to like him. But, I have appointed him and you need to respect him." There was only one election after his that I grieved over. That one was from the Democratic party. But, I did not go out and destroy property or assault those who voted for him. Not everyone is going to like President Trump. But, we can either choose to work civilly with him and one another for the good of all the people in this country or we can go about burning cars and destroying private businesses and homes or generally trampling on the rights of others because we are dissatisfied with the results of this last election. Each individual can choose whether to work together as a country for the good of all or to divide it even further for the sake of personal agendas. That is up to the individual. Personally, I am a bit tired of the disunity (Yup, working in unity is a part of my personal agenda). Disunity has taken it's toll on the people; on this country. The disunity has diminished the hope of the people. It has made us a very weary people.

May God renew our hope so that we might live in peace and unity. May God help us to trust that He has a plan for the good of the many.

One last word according to St. Paul's letter to the Romans, chapter 13, verses 1-7:

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." 

We may not like all of our public officials and I don't know anyone who appreciates paying taxes. But, there are peaceful means by which we can express our discontent. God has not given us the right to attack or destroy those who disagree with our personal agendas. Let us learn to work together instead of against one another.

May God renew our strength so that we will not grow weary but continue in a pursuit of good for all people. God help this country to soar as on the wings of an eagle.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Those who know me; know that I have very little musical ability. Now you know that my drawing skills are also very limited!

We Shall Not Retreat In Fear

"When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" Psalm 118:5-6 NIV

What indeed is there to fear? President Franklin Roosevelt in his first inaugural address said, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

Many parts of the visible church on earth have been in retreat. The Gospel is not proclaimed rightly. Injustices are not addressed for fear of persecution. Members are so concerned about being politically correct that the truth is not spoken for fear of offending someone. Well, the truth be told, you cannot please everyone all of the time and not everyone is going to appreciate the truth. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Cor 1:18) Those who speak the truth about the cross of Christ will be hated by the world. That is just the way it is. The world hated Jesus and it will hate his followers as well. (John 15:18) Just because we might be persecuted that is not an excuse to hide the truth from the world. We do not hide the truth in order to protect ourselves because God, Himself, is our protector. We must have faith that His plan is a plan for the good of all who love Him. (Rom 8:28)

What can keep us from moving forward; from advancing the Good News of the Kingdom? If God is for us who can be against us? (Rom 8:31) If our greatest desire; our ultimate concern, is to live in the presence of God and to love Him as He loves us is there any hardship in this world that we cannot endure?  

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

'For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.'

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom 8:35-19)

We may face death all day long; but, we shall not fear. There is nothing in this world or in the spiritual realms that can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God help the whole church on earth to make the proclamation of God's love for all people, through Jesus the Christ, always our ultimate concern. Help us, Lord, to advance the Gospel!

God's Peace - Pr. Judy