The Votes Are In

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. (1 Tim 2:1-2 NRSV)

The ballots have been cast and the results are in. Just about everyone who voted has a reason to be happy and they also probably have a reason to be not so happy. Happiness is not what elections are about. Electing leaders is what elections are about. The only thing then that is left for us to do is to pray then that our elected leaders will do what is best for the people; for the country as a whole.

Regardless; whether we appreciate the results or not, we do have some new leadership in our country. Let us pray and support our elected leaders. If we disagree with any of them or all of them, let us disagree peaceably, without false accusations or threats. Spreading gossip, lies, or making false accusations about our elected officials does not help the state of the union. Working together will.

May God grant that we should live in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Respect Civil Authorities

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. (Rom 13:1-4 NIV)

Concerning Civil Government.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For the power which exists anywhere is ordained of God. Whosoever resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Rom. 13:1-4.

Book of Concord; Luther's Small Catechism/Table of Duties

 

We see more and more disrespect for our elected officials and public servants as each year passes. Unless, it clearly goes against the word and the will of God there is no excuse for the public to persecute these men and women so unjustly. I am old enough to remember a time when whether we particularly liked our president or not, we still respected the office of the President of the United States and we showed it. It's not all that apparent today. There are peaceful means in place to replace them. If the majority wants someone out of office they will use those means. We do not have to become so ugly that we look like bullies to do it.

 

A person gets stopped because of a possible traffic violation and instead of cooperating they choose to disrespect the person stopping them by refusing to cooperate. A neighbor reports unruly behavior and instead of responding calmly to the officers or possibly protective service workers who show up at your door; they are met by all sorts of disrespectful attitudes and behavior. That is surely not God's will. Those men and women who are responding to the call are there to ensure that you and all of your household are safe and well.

 

It is not God's will that we should set ourselves in such a high place that we think that we are above the law of the land. The law of the land is not just for everyone else. It is for all people. It is not God's will that we should act like uncooperative bullies; but, to use the system that has been set in place for the good of all people. Use the system to try to change the system if it needs changing. Violence against others is not the way to get what you might want. Those who would encourage other than peaceful protests that result in harm to others as well as the property of others go against the will of God. He is the provider of all. We don't get to destroy the property of others and still say that we are doing God's will.

 

God's will is for the good of all people; not just for you; not just for the few.

 

May God help us to live peacefully in the land.

 

Pr. J

His Will; Not Ours

I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8

God's law is within the hearts of all who believe. But; we, being sinful human beings, sometimes let our own desires override the law of God. We would prefer to do our will rather than His and sadly, trouble naturally ensures.

We are not alone in this struggle of doing God's will and leaving our own wills behind us. St. Paul, one of the most faithful men that I know of, struggled with this as well. He wrote to the Romans (7:21-25 NIV) "So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin."

The struggle between doing God's will and fulfilling our own egos will continue. But, for the sake of all of God's people, we ought not give up the fight. We pray often that God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven so let us be confident that it will be done trusting in Him to help us on the way.

And, as we go on, let us always give thanks to God, who delivers us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J