President-elect Obama! A year ago, who would have thought it probable, much less possible? Our President-elect is no friend of evangelicals. Unless he governs differently than he campaigned, he is not going to be supportive of Biblical values that are so important to us. Now that the election is over, I will admit to a deep sense of concern over the direction our nation will likely take during his administration. He will be governing alongside of leaders in Congress that are equally hostile to evangelical Christian ideals, so there will be little reason to be a moderate. Most troubling for me personally is the kind of judges our new President is likely to appoint to the Federal bench.
Despite all of that, I see his election as a real opportunity for evangelicals to get back to our calling to be the Church. I hope that we will embrace God's call to pray for our leaders, to work for a just society, and to proclaim the transforming Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work. We can now stop looking to the Oval Office and our legislators for initiatives to save our nation from her sins! It time to feed the hungry, to care for the dying, to visit the imprisoned, to become the defenders of the oppressed, to offer love to the outcasts and hope those who are enslaved by their sins.
These words from Romans challenge us to remember that God gives us leaders and demands that we pray for them and live as good citizens. It becomes even more compelling for us when we remember that the authorities at the time these words were written were pagans, not just apathetic toward Christianity but in many cases actively persecuting the Church.
Read these words, then take time to pray for those elected to serve us.
"Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong.
Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.
So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do." (Romans 13:1-6, NLT) _______________________________
Father in Heaven, I thank you for Your reign!
Today, I pray for our leaders, particularly for President-elect Obama.
Protect him from those who hate him because of the color of his skin.
Grace him with virtues of Wisdom, Justice, Courage, Humility, Faith, Hope, and Love as he prepares to assume the Presidency.The challenges presented to him in our world are many.
Work deeply in his heart and mind and draw him to a new understanding of Who You are.
Spirit of God, call your Church to a renewed understanding of her place in this world, a place of service and a place of embodying the Truth of Christ.
May we interact with our government, even when those who govern are hostile to Your ways, with grace and gentleness.
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in us.
All of this, I ask in His holy Name, Amen.
_______________________________
TFTD will not be in your email box for the next few days.
This writer needs to unstring the bow for a few days and give my heart and mind a recess.
Thanks for reading along. See you next week.
No comments:
Post a Comment