The polls are open today. The election hype this year is a lot like the last few elections - dire warnings that come from both sides promising that the U.S. of A. is doomed if the other guys are elected. Are there differences between the parties? Sure there are. Will the election of one party or the other really affect the way my grandchildren live? Yes, there are consequences that come from the choices made – one ballot at a time, millions of times over! Public policies will be changed. Different judges will be appointed. Funding priorities will shift. But. . . .
Time and again, God makes it known in the Scripture - "I am in charge of history!" Does that make me a fatalist? Should I just sit home today and sing whatever will be, will be?
Consider Daniel. He was taken from his home in Jerusalem to
Babylon to be a slave in a pagan system! where he was put in the service of a
pagan emperor. Did he struggle to
reconcile his belief in God as the Lord of All
and the fact that his homeland was in ruins? Possibly, and yet he stayed
faithful. Daniel remained God's man. For
decades, through 4 regimes, he was Yahweh’s spokesman. In chapter 2 of his
book, we read that the king, Nebuchadnezzar, demanded that his counselors tell
him his terrifying dream and its meaning. Impossible? Sure it was. But, Daniel
went to prayer, received the revelation, and went to tell the king what God was
saying to him. God said, “I am in charge.”
Remember that dream? It was a large
statue with golden head, silver chest, bronze belly, iron legs, and feet of
clay. It represented the kingdoms of men. The key part of the dream was the
Stone that was cut out, not with human hands, that smashed the statue. The
meaning? All earthly kingdoms will come to an end when
the King of Kings sets up His reign.
Later in the king's life, he dreamed of a great tree in the center of the earth. It was cut down by a heavenly messenger, but the stump was left. Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that it was a message that he was about to be cut down because of his arrogance. "They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses. "And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules." (Daniel 4:25-26, NKJV)
God rules! Christians are responsible, proactive, and engaged even as they remember they are servants of the Most High God, that they are not in charge. They are partners with Him, building His kingdom, extending His reign, and seeking His glory.
Later in the king's life, he dreamed of a great tree in the center of the earth. It was cut down by a heavenly messenger, but the stump was left. Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that it was a message that he was about to be cut down because of his arrogance. "They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses. "And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules." (Daniel 4:25-26, NKJV)
God rules! Christians are responsible, proactive, and engaged even as they remember they are servants of the Most High God, that they are not in charge. They are partners with Him, building His kingdom, extending His reign, and seeking His glory.
Disciple, trust that revelation today. Steady yourself in faith in God, that He is capable of keeping you in the palm of His hand, no matter what happens to our economy, no matter who controls the Congress after this election or who is sitting in governor’s mansions across the nation. God has not left us to ourselves. Pray for eyes that see what God sees and a mind that thinks as He thinks as the Spirit gives revelation.
In this election year when there is so much anxiety about
the future of this country... remember the Truth!
"Blessed be the name of God, forever and ever. He knows all, does all: He changes the seasons and guides history, He raises up kings and also brings them down." (Daniel 2:20-21, The Message) He has charged us with responsibility to pray for His will to be done, and then we will obey Him and live with heart-deep faith and rock-solid assurance.
"This, then, is how you should pray:
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one." (Matthew 6:8-13, NIV)
"Blessed be the name of God, forever and ever. He knows all, does all: He changes the seasons and guides history, He raises up kings and also brings them down." (Daniel 2:20-21, The Message) He has charged us with responsibility to pray for His will to be done, and then we will obey Him and live with heart-deep faith and rock-solid assurance.
"This, then, is how you should pray:
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one." (Matthew 6:8-13, NIV)
Now, go vote as you pray for the wisdom of the Spirit.
____________
God, bless America;
Land that I love.
Stand beside her
And guide her
Through the night
With a Light from
above.
From the mountains,
to the prairies,
To the oceans,
white with foam
God bless America,
My home, sweet home.
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